International Shipping & Export Information

Most of the problems that arise in an international fertilizer shipment are avoidable, and nearly all of them come from decisions made before the goods leave. This page sets out how we work and what we need from you.

Start with the destination

Tell us the destination country and port in your first message. It is not a formality. The destination determines whether a product can be imported at all, whether it needs registration before arrival, what the label must say, what documentation customs will want, and sometimes which packaging format is acceptable.

Countries treat fertilizers differently. Some classify a product as a fertilizer that another classifies as a soil amendment or a plant biostimulant, each with a different regulatory pathway. Confirming this early costs a few minutes; discovering it at the port costs considerably more.

Incoterms

We can quote on the basis you work with:

• EXW — you arrange collection and all onward transport. Maximum control, maximum responsibility.
• FOB — we deliver to the named port of shipment and handle export clearance; you take over from there.
• CIF — we arrange carriage and insurance to the named destination port. Import clearance and duties remain yours.

Under every one of these, the importer of record in the destination country is normally responsible for import registration, customs clearance and duties. If you are unsure which basis suits you, say so and we will explain the practical difference for your shipment.

Packaging and loading

Packaging is agreed before the order is confirmed rather than assumed. The right format depends on the product, the quantity, how it will be handled at the destination and whether it is going into a container or onto a groupage pallet. Our guide to packaging and container loading covers the trade-offs in detail.

Points worth raising with us early:

• Whether your warehouse can handle big bags, or whether smaller sacks are necessary
• Any language or labelling requirements in your market
• Whether pallets need to meet ISPM 15 treatment requirements
• Storage conditions at destination — several products are hygroscopic and need to stay sealed and dry

Documentation

We prepare the export documentation that normally accompanies a shipment of this kind, and provide the technical information your customs broker will ask for. Exactly which documents are required varies by destination and by product, which is why we confirm the list per shipment rather than publishing a fixed one.

If your broker needs something specific, tell us during the quotation stage rather than after loading.

Notes for particular markets

The following are pointers on what to research, not legal advice. Requirements change, and you should confirm current rules with the relevant authority or your customs broker before committing to an order.

United States

Fertilizer registration in the US is primarily handled at state level rather than federally, so requirements can differ between the states you intend to sell into. Labelling and guaranteed-analysis rules are set by each state’s regulatory programme.

Australia

Australian biosecurity requirements are strict, particularly for anything of biological origin — which is relevant to seaweed extracts and other organic inputs. Packaging and pallet treatment are also scrutinised. Check current requirements with the relevant national authority before ordering.

Brazil

Brazil operates a registration system for fertilizers, soil correctives and biostimulants, and imports typically require the product and importer to be registered before arrival. Documentation is usually required in Portuguese.

Our import requirements checklist sets out a structured way to research any of these markets.

Get a shipment quoted

Message us with the product, quantity, destination port and preferred incoterm. If you are still deciding on the product, start with the product range or ask us directly — describing the problem is often more useful than naming a product.