Getting granular sulphur specifications right protects you twice over: once at the quality inspection, and again at customs. This reference covers the parameters to contract on, the HS codes to declare, and the documents a shipment needs.
Standard granular sulphur specifications
Commercial granular sulphur for fertiliser and industrial use generally trades against these parameters.
- Purity: minimum 99.5% sulphur by weight, commonly 99.8%
- Moisture: maximum 0.5%
- Ash: maximum 0.05%
- Acidity (as H2SO4): maximum 0.02%
- Organic matter: maximum 0.05%
- Granule size: 2 to 6mm, typically 90% or more within range
- Fines (under 2mm): maximum 5%
- Colour: bright yellow, free from visible contamination
Fines deserve attention. Sulphur dust is combustible, so high fines content creates a handling hazard and can trigger rejection at discharge.
Granular, prilled or crushed lump
Three physical forms trade internationally, and they are not interchangeable.
Granular is built up in layers, producing hard, uniform pellets that survive handling. It is the standard for bulk seaborne trade.
Prilled is formed by cooling droplets, giving smaller and softer particles. It generates more dust in transit.
Crushed lump comes from broken solid blocks and has irregular sizing. It usually trades at a discount and suits buyers with their own grinding capacity.
HS codes for sulphur
Customs classification depends on how the sulphur was produced, not on its physical form. Two headings cover most trade.
- 2503.00 — Sulphur of all kinds, other than sublimed, precipitated or colloidal. This covers recovered sulphur from oil and gas processing, which is the bulk of internationally traded material.
- 2802.00 — Sulphur, sublimed or precipitated; colloidal sulphur. Chemically processed grades for pharmaceutical and specialised industrial use.
Most granular sulphur from Gulf, Kazakh or Russian refineries falls under 2503.00.
However, national tariff schedules extend these six-digit headings to eight or ten digits, and those extensions differ by country. Therefore confirm the full code with your customs broker at the destination before the bill of lading is issued.
Documents a shipment needs
- Commercial invoice with the HS code stated
- Packing list, or a bulk cargo declaration
- Bill of lading
- Certificate of origin
- Certificate of analysis against the contracted specification
- Independent inspection certificate covering quality and quantity at load port
- Safety data sheet
Solid sulphur is not classified as dangerous goods for sea transport in most jurisdictions, though molten sulphur is treated differently. Confirm the requirement for your form and route.
Writing granular sulphur specifications into a contract
Three rules prevent most disputes.
First, name every parameter with a numeric limit. “High purity” means nothing in arbitration.
Second, name the inspection agency and the point of inspection — load port or discharge port. This determines who carries the risk if quality is contested.
Third, list the certificate of analysis and inspection certificate as required documents under the letter of credit. Otherwise the bank pays regardless of what arrives.
Current market levels are tracked on our sulphur price per ton page, and freight considerations are covered in our guide to war risk insurance.
Sourcing to specification
We quote granular sulphur against a written specification and confirm it by independent inspection before any payment is released.
- Granular sulphur, agricultural and industrial grade
- Gulf and non-Gulf origins
- Full certificate of analysis on every cargo
- Confirmed irrevocable letter of credit terms only
- No upfront costs to buyers at any stage
Send your specification, volume and destination port. Contact our team or email sales@ruwadaltasaheel.com.
Frequently asked questions
What HS code is granular sulphur?
Most granular sulphur recovered from oil and gas processing falls under HS 2503.00. Sublimed, precipitated and colloidal grades fall under 2802.00. Confirm the extended national code with your broker.
What purity should I specify?
Minimum 99.5% covers standard agricultural and industrial use. Most Gulf material tests at 99.8% or above, so specifying 99.5% gives you margin without excluding suppliers.
Is granular sulphur classed as dangerous goods?
Solid granular sulphur is generally not treated as dangerous goods for sea transport, though molten sulphur is. Requirements vary by route and jurisdiction, so confirm before booking.