Raw Materials

What raw materials are available?

Cold-pressed virgin coconut oil in bulk drums (Philippines), 6-mm wood pellets for biomass fuel (Vietnam, 100-ton MOQ), coconut-fibre rope and coir products, steel products, plus a long tail of fibres, resins and agricultural by-products from Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia and Cambodia.

What MOQ should I expect for raw materials?

From 1–2 tons for oils and speciality fibres to 100 tons for biomass pellets. Full-container loads (20–25 tons) are the efficient unit for anything sold by weight; below that, freight per ton rises sharply. If your volume is below container scale, look for suppliers who consolidate mixed loads or ask in your RFQ.

How do I check the quality of a raw-material shipment?

Specify measurable parameters in the order — moisture content, ash content and calorific value for pellets; free fatty acid and peroxide value for oils; grade and thickness for steel — and require a certificate of analysis per batch. For a first order, add a third-party pre-shipment inspection; escrow release should depend on the inspection result.

Which documents are needed to import raw materials?

Commercial invoice, packing list, bill of lading, certificate of origin (Form D under ATIGA for intra-ASEAN, or the relevant FTA form), and product-specific certificates: phytosanitary for plant fibres and pellets, mill certificates for steel, and sometimes an export licence for timber-based materials. See the SEA export documentation checklist.

Is it cheaper to buy raw materials from Southeast Asia than from China?

For coconut-based materials, natural rubber, biomass and some fibres Southeast Asia is the origin, so you are buying closer to source. For steel and metals, China is larger and often cheaper; Southeast Asian mills compete on tariff position and proximity for ASEAN buyers rather than on price alone. Compare landed cost, not FOB price.

Catalog figures are from the Seagoods database as of September 2026 and change as suppliers add or retire listings.