Your first charcoal order from a new country raises practical questions: how much fits in a container, who pays for what, which documents you need and how long it all takes. This guide answers them in order, from the first inquiry to the container leaving the port, using the real container loads we ship from our factory in Egypt.
- A 40ft container takes about 27 tons of compressed charcoal, 18 tons of lump charcoal or 25 tons of firewood; a 20ft container takes about 15 tons of compressed charcoal.
- Agree the Incoterm first: EXW, FOB and CIF divide costs and risk very differently.
- Put specifications, packing, quantity, price basis, payment and lead time in writing before production.
- Ask your customs broker which documents your country requires for charcoal.
- Selim Charcoal quotes in US dollars per ton ex-works from New Damietta and coordinates loading and shipping with each buyer.
How much charcoal fits in a container?
Container load is the first number every importer needs, because it decides your price per ton landed. Charcoal is light for its volume, so containers usually fill up by space before they reach their weight limit. These are the loads we ship:
| Product | 20ft container | 40ft container |
|---|---|---|
| Compressed charcoal (coconut shisha cubes, hexagonal briquettes) | 15 tons | 27 tons |
| Lump charcoal (orange wood, casuarina, mixed) | On request | 18 tons |
| Firewood (acacia, olive) | On request | 25 tons |
Step 1: Send a complete inquiry
A precise inquiry gets you a precise quotation. Include:
- Product and size: for example coconut cubes 27 mm, hexagonal briquettes, orange wood lump charcoal.
- Packing: retail boxes, cartons or laminated bags, plain or with your brand.
- Quantity: number of containers per order and how often you will order.
- Destination: country and port of discharge.
- Delivery term: the Incoterm you prefer (see below).
Step 2: Agree the Incoterm
Incoterms define where the seller’s responsibility ends and yours begins. The three you will meet most often in the charcoal trade:
| Incoterm | Seller covers | Buyer covers |
|---|---|---|
| EXW (Ex Works) | Goods ready at the factory | Loading, inland transport, export clearance, freight, insurance, import |
| FOB (Free On Board) | Goods cleared for export and loaded on the vessel | Sea freight, insurance, import clearance |
| CIF (Cost, Insurance and Freight) | Goods, sea freight and insurance to your port | Unloading and import clearance at destination |
We quote in US dollars per ton ex-works (EXW) from our factory in New Damietta. If you prefer another term, we agree it with you and coordinate with your freight forwarder.
Step 3: Confirm the order in writing
Before production starts, make sure one document (proforma invoice or contract) states everything you agreed:
- Product, size and written specifications.
- Packing type, weights and branding.
- Quantity and number of containers.
- Price per ton and the Incoterm.
- Payment terms and lead time.
Payment terms are agreed with each buyer. In the charcoal trade, common options include a bank transfer with a deposit and balance against shipping documents, or a letter of credit for larger contracts.
Step 4: Production, packing and loading
Once the order is confirmed, the factory produces to the agreed specification, packs to your design and loads the container. Ask for photos of the packed goods and the loading so you can check the cargo before it sails.
Step 5: Shipping documents
For a typical export shipment, the documents include:
- Commercial invoice and packing list.
- Bill of lading issued by the shipping line.
- Certificate of origin, which may affect the duty you pay.
- Any other certificates your country requires for charcoal or wood products.
Ordering from Selim Charcoal
We are a manufacturer with six production lines and four warehouses in New Damietta, near Damietta port. We produce coconut shisha cubes, hexagonal briquettes, lump charcoal and split firewood, and pack plain or under your own brand. For an overview of why buyers source from Egypt, read our guide to importing charcoal from Egypt.
Your order at a glance
- InquiryProduct, packing, quantity, destination and Incoterm.
- Quotation and contractWritten specs, price per ton, payment and lead time.
- Production and loadingProduced, packed and loaded to the agreed specs.
- Shipping and documentsContainer ships; documents go to you or your bank.
Plan your first container from Egypt
Send us your product, packing, quantity and destination port, and we will reply with specifications and a price per ton from our factory.
Frequently asked questions
How many tons of charcoal fit in a 40ft container?
About 27 tons of compressed charcoal (coconut cubes or hexagonal briquettes), about 18 tons of lump charcoal, or about 25 tons of firewood.
How many tons of charcoal fit in a 20ft container?
About 15 tons of compressed charcoal such as coconut shisha cubes or hexagonal briquettes.
Which Incoterm do you quote?
We quote in US dollars per ton ex-works (EXW) from our factory in New Damietta. Other terms can be agreed with each buyer.
What documents come with an export shipment?
Typically a commercial invoice, packing list, bill of lading and certificate of origin, plus any certificates your country requires.
Can I order mixed products in one container?
Ask us about combining products or sizes in one container; it depends on the products and packing involved.
