In international trade of ceramics, the trade usually starts with product inquiry and quotation. The quotation for exported products mainly includes: product quality grade, product specifications and models, special packaging requirements (if any), quantity of products purchased, delivery time requirements, product transportation method, and product material.

Commonly used quotations include: FOB "Free On Board", CNF "Cost and Freight", CIF "Cost, Insurance and Freight", etc.

After both parties in the ceramic trade reach an agreement on the quotation, the buyer formally places an order and negotiates relevant matters with the seller. After mutual agreement, a Purchase Contract needs to be signed. During the signing of the Purchase Contract, the two parties negotiate on product name, specifications and models, quantity, price, packaging, origin, shipment date, payment terms, settlement method, claim, arbitration, etc., and write the agreed terms into the Purchase Contract. This marks the official start of export business. Usually, the purchase contract is signed in duplicate, which becomes effective after being stamped with the company seals of both parties, and each party keeps one copy.

There are three commonly used international payment methods: letter of credit (L/C) payment, TT payment, and direct payment.

• 1. Letter of Credit (L/C) Payment
  Letters of credit are divided into clean credit and documentary credit. A documentary credit refers to a credit with specified documents attached, while a credit without any documents attached is called a clean credit. Simply put, a letter of credit is a guarantee document to ensure that the exporter can receive payment. Please note that the shipment period of exported ceramic goods should be within the validity period of the letter of credit, and the document submission period of the letter of credit must be no later than the validity date of the letter of credit.
  In international trade of ceramics, L/C is the most commonly used payment method. The issuance date of the L/C should be clear, distinct, and complete. Several state-owned commercial banks in China, such as Bank of China, China Construction Bank, Agricultural Bank of China, and Industrial and Commercial Bank of China, can issue L/Cs overseas (the issuing fee of these major banks is 1.5‰ of the issuing amount).

• 2. TT Payment
  TT payment is settled by foreign exchange in cash. Your customer will remit the payment to the foreign exchange bank account designated by your company. You can require payment within a certain period after the goods arrive.

• 3. Direct Payment
  It refers to direct delivery and payment between the buyer and seller of ceramics.

Goods preparation plays a pivotal role in the entire ceramic trade process and must be implemented one by one in accordance with the contract.

The main verification contents for ceramic goods preparation are as follows:

• Quality and specifications of ceramic goods: should be verified in accordance with the requirements of the contract.

• Quantity of ceramic goods: ensure that it meets the quantity requirements of the contract or letter of credit.

• Time of ceramic goods preparation: should be arranged according to the letter of credit and combined with the shipping schedule to facilitate the connection between goods and ships.

You can choose the packaging form (such as carton, wooden box, woven bag, etc.) according to different ceramic goods. Different packaging forms have different packaging requirements.

• General export packaging standards: packaging in accordance with the general standards for trade exports.

• Special export packaging standards: export goods packaging according to the special requirements of customers.

• Packaging and shipping marks of goods: should be carefully checked and verified to comply with the provisions of the letter of credit.

Customs clearance procedures for ceramics are extremely cumbersome and important. If customs clearance cannot be completed smoothly, the ceramic transaction cannot be completed.

• 1. Export commodities subject to statutory inspection must obtain an export commodity inspection certificate.
  At present, China's ceramic import and export commodity inspection work mainly includes four links:

• Acceptance of inspection application: Ceramic inspection application refers to the request by parties involved in foreign trade to the commodity inspection agency for inspection.

• Sampling: After accepting the ceramic inspection application, the commodity inspection agency shall promptly send personnel to the storage location of the goods for on-site ceramic inspection and identification.

• Inspection: After accepting the ceramic inspection application, the commodity inspection agency shall carefully study the declared inspection items and determine the inspection content. It shall also carefully review the contract (letter of credit) provisions on quality, specifications, and packaging, clarify the basis for inspection, and determine the inspection standards and methods. (Inspection methods include sampling inspection, instrumental analysis inspection, physical inspection, sensory inspection, microbial inspection, etc.)

• Issuance of certificates: For ceramic exports, all export commodities listed in the 〖Catalogue〗 shall, after passing the inspection by the commodity inspection agency, be issued with a release note (or a release seal affixed on the "Export Goods Declaration Form" to replace the release note).

• 2. Personnel with professional customs declaration certificates must go through customs clearance procedures with documents such as packing list, invoice, customs declaration power of attorney, export foreign exchange verification form, copy of export goods contract, and export commodity inspection certificate.

• Packing list is a detailed list of exported products provided by the exporter.

• Invoice is a certificate of exported products provided by the exporter.

• Customs declaration power of attorney is a certificate for units or individuals without customs declaration capabilities to entrust a customs declaration agency to handle customs declaration.

• Export verification form is applied for by the export unit from the foreign exchange bureau, referring to a document for units with export capabilities to obtain export tax rebates.

• Commodity inspection certificate is obtained after passing the inspection by the entry-exit inspection and quarantine department or its designated inspection agency. It is a general term for various inspection certificates, identification certificates, and other certificates for import and export commodities. It is an effective document with legal basis for all parties involved in foreign trade to fulfill contractual obligations, handle claims, disputes, arbitration, and litigation evidence, and is also a necessary certificate for customs release, tariff collection, and preferential tariff reduction or exemption.

During the shipment process, you can decide the shipping method according to the quantity of ceramic goods and take out insurance according to the insurance type specified in the Purchase Contract. You can choose:

• 1. Full Container Load (FCL)
   Types of containers:

• (1) By size: Currently, the commonly used dry containers in the world are:              
  External dimensions: 20 feet X 8 feet X 8 feet 6 inches, referred to as 20-foot container;              
  40 feet X 8 feet X 8 feet 6 inches, referred to as 40-foot container; and 40 feet X 8 feet X 9 feet 6 inches, commonly used in recent years, referred to as 40-foot high cube container.              
  20-foot container: Internal volume is 5.69m X 2.13m X 2.18m, with a general gross weight of 17.5 tons and a volume of 24-26 cubic meters.              
  40-foot container: Internal volume is 11.8m X 2.13m X 2.18m, with a general gross weight of 22 tons and a volume of 54 cubic meters.              
  40-foot high cube container: Internal volume is 11.8m X 2.13m X 2.72m, with a general gross weight of 22 tons and a volume of 68 cubic meters.              
  45-foot high cube container: Internal volume is 13.58m X 2.34m X 2.71m, with a general gross weight of 29 tons and a volume of 86 cubic meters.              
  20-foot open top container: Internal volume is 5.89m X 2.32m X 2.31m, with a gross weight of 20 tons and a volume of 31.5 cubic meters.              
  40-foot open top container: Internal volume is 12.01m X 2.33m X 2.15m, with a gross weight of 30.4 tons and a volume of 65 cubic meters.              
  20-foot flat rack container: Internal volume is 5.85m X 2.23m X 2.15m, with a gross weight of 23 tons and a volume of 28 cubic meters.              
  40-foot flat rack container: Internal volume is 12.05m X 2.12m X 1.96m, with a gross weight of 36 tons and a volume of 50 cubic meters.

• (2) By material: aluminum alloy containers, steel plate containers, fiberboard containers, fiberglass containers.

• (3) By use: dry containers; reefer containers; dress hanger containers; open top containers; flat rack containers; tank containers.

• 2. Less Than Container Load (LCL)
   For LCL, the freight is generally calculated based on the volume or weight of the exported goods.

Guangzhou Panyue International Trade Co., Ltd. provides comprehensive export services for ceramic products, including:

• Quotation strategy guidance based on trade terms (FOB, CNF, CIF) and market conditions

• Contract review to ensure clarity on payment terms, delivery clauses, and dispute resolution

• Assistance in L/C issuance, review, and amendment to avoid discrepancies

• Packaging recommendations to meet international transportation standards and reduce damage risks

• Efficient customs clearance coordination, including document preparation and inspection arrangement

• Container shipping arrangement (FCL/LCL) and insurance coverage advice

With rich experience in ceramic export procedures, we help clients streamline the entire trade process, minimize operational risks, and ensure smooth delivery of ceramic products to global markets.