Global salt

Global salt is generally categorized into Industrial Salt (PDV or Rock Salt), Edible/Food Grade Salt, and Chemical Grade Salt. Industrial salt is primarily used for de-icing, water softening, and textile dyeing, while food-grade salt must adhere to strict iodization and purity standards. For chemical manufacturing, particularly Chlor-alkali production, high-purity sodium chloride (NaCl >99%) is essential to prevent equipment corrosion.

Buyers must prioritize the NaCl (Sodium Chloride) content, which should be above 97% for industrial use and above 99% for high-end chemical or food applications. Additionally, monitor moisture content (ideally <0.5% for PDV salt) to prevent caking, and check for insoluble matter levels. For food-grade products, verify the presence and concentration of anti-caking agents like Potassium Ferrocyanide (E536), ensuring they meet the destination country's safety limits.

For food-grade salt, compliance with HACCP, ISO 22000, and Codex Alimentarius is non-negotiable. If the salt is intended for the US market, FDA registration is required. For industrial applications, ISO 9001 ensures process consistency. Buyers should also request a Certificate of Analysis (COA) for every batch to confirm the absence of heavy metals like lead, arsenic, and mercury.

Salt is available in Fine (0.1-0.8mm), Medium, and Coarse (2-5mm) grains. Fine PDV salt is preferred for food processing due to its rapid solubility, whereas Coarse Rock Salt is more economical for road de-icing and water treatment. Custom grain sizing often incurs a 10-15% price premium but reduces processing time for the end-user.

The most significant risk is moisture absorption during sea transit, which can lead to hardening (clumping). Ensure the supplier uses moisture-proof PE/PP woven bags or container liners. Another risk is weight discrepancy; it is highly recommended to use third-party inspection services like SGS at the loading port to verify the draft survey or weighbridge tickets.

Given that salt is a low-value, high-weight commodity, freight costs often exceed the product value. Negotiate based on FOB (Free On Board) terms if you have a reliable freight forwarder, or CIF (Cost, Insurance, and Freight) if the supplier has better volume contracts with shipping lines. For orders exceeding 5,000 tons, consider Bulk Vessel chartering instead of container shipping to reduce the per-ton cost by 20-40%.

To ensure payment security, utilize Letter of Credit (L/C) at sight for large bulk shipments or Trade Assurance services on Made-in-China.com. Never release full payment until the Bill of Lading (B/L) and Quality Inspection Report are provided. For new suppliers, start with a trial order of 1-2 containers to verify the logistics chain and product stability.

Salt is corrosive; therefore, ensure the shipping containers are in good condition with no floor damage. For agricultural or food-grade salt, check for phytosanitary certificate requirements in the destination country. In terms of sourcing, Made-in-China.com offers access to verified manufacturers in salt-rich provinces like Shandong and Jiangsu, providing a stable supply chain for global distribution.