Reference
Export & Commodity Glossary
Key terms for international agricultural trade, quality standards, and shipping.
Quick Answer
Quick Answer: This glossary defines essential terms for importing agricultural commodities from Thailand — including ICUMSA sugar grades, Incoterms (FOB, CIF, CFR), quality certificates (COA), and fertilizer classifications (NPK).
- ICUMSA
- International Commission for Uniform Methods of Sugar Analysis — a standard measuring sugar color and purity. Lower ICUMSA numbers indicate whiter, more refined sugar (e.g. ICUMSA 45 is premium white refined sugar).
- FOB (Free on Board)
- An Incoterm where the seller delivers goods on board the vessel at the named port. The buyer bears freight, insurance, and risk from that point onward.
- CIF (Cost, Insurance and Freight)
- An Incoterm where the seller pays for transport and insurance to the destination port. Risk transfers to the buyer when goods are loaded on the vessel.
- CFR (Cost and Freight)
- Similar to CIF but the seller is not obliged to procure insurance. The seller pays freight to the destination port; risk transfers at loading.
- FCL (Full Container Load)
- A shipping term for a full container dedicated to one buyer's cargo. Standard export quantities for agricultural commodities are typically FCL (20ft or 40ft containers).
- COA (Certificate of Analysis)
- A document certifying that a product batch meets agreed specifications — including purity, moisture, granulation, and other quality parameters tested before shipment.
- NPK
- A fertilizer classification indicating nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) content. NPK ratios such as 15-15-15 describe the percentage of each nutrient.
- Certificate of Origin
- An official document certifying the country where goods were produced or manufactured, required by customs authorities in many import markets.
- Phytosanitary Certificate
- A plant health certificate issued by the exporting country's authority confirming agricultural products are free from pests and diseases, required for many food and grain imports.
- Proforma Invoice
- A preliminary invoice sent before shipment outlining product, quantity, price, Incoterms, payment terms, and validity period. Used to initiate payment or open a Letter of Credit.
- Letter of Credit (LC)
- A bank guarantee of payment used in international trade. The buyer's bank commits to pay the seller upon presentation of compliant shipping documents.
- VHP Sugar
- Very High Polarization sugar — a raw or semi-refined sugar with high sucrose content, commonly used in food processing and refining.
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