🏗️ Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC) 42.5 Grade – A Complete Global Trade Study Guide
🏗️ Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC) 42.5 Grade – A Complete Global Trade Study Guide
📘 Introduction
Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC) 42.5 Grade is a cornerstone of modern construction and infrastructure development across the globe. Known for its strength, consistency, and performance in high-load environments, this grade is used in everything from highways and airports to skyscrapers and ports.
This guide presents a complete educational overview of OPC 42.5 R cement, covering its chemical and physical specifications, global trade documentation, certification requirements, shipment methods, and international payment terms—all based on standard practices used in international bulk trading.
🔍 What is OPC 42.5 R Grade?
OPC 42.5 is a type of cement that develops a compressive strength of 42.5 MPa in 28 days. The “R” stands for rapid hardening, offering early strength gains, ideal for fast-paced construction schedules. It complies with international standards like EN 197-1, ASTM C150, and local equivalents in Pakistan, Vietnam, and other origins.
🧪 Chemical Composition
| Compound | Percentage (%) |
|---|---|
| Silicon Dioxide (SiO₂) | 21.00% |
| Aluminium Oxide (Al₂O₃) | 5.30% |
| Ferric Oxide (Fe₂O₃) | 3.30% |
| Calcium Oxide (CaO) | 65.60% |
| Magnesium Oxide (MgO) | 1.10% |
| Sulphur Trioxide (SO₃) | 2.70% |
| Loss on Ignition (LOI) | 0.90% |
| Tricalcium Silicate (C₃S) | 60.00% |
| Dicalcium Silicate (C₂S) | 15.00% |
| Tricalcium Aluminate (C₃A) | 8.05% |
| C4AF (Alumino Ferrite) | 9.76% |
📐 Physical & Mechanical Properties
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Blaine Fineness | 3,250 cm²/g |
| Autoclave Expansion | 0.02% |
| Initial Setting Time | 105 minutes |
| Final Setting Time | 135 minutes |
| Compressive Strength – Day 3 | 230 kg/cm² |
| Compressive Strength – Day 7 | 305 kg/cm² |
| Compressive Strength – Day 28 | 420 kg/cm² |
📦 Packing & Shipment
📦 Packing Types
- 50 kg Polypropylene Bags (Standard)
- 1 MT Jumbo Bags
- Loose Bulk (No packaging; vessel holds)
🚢 Shipping Modes
1. Bulk Vessel Shipments:
- Load Size: 12,500 – 100,000+ MT
- Vessel Type: Handymax, Supramax, Panamax
- Load Rate: 5,000–10,000 MT/day
- Ports: Karachi (Pakistan), Da Nang (Vietnam), Bandar Abbas (Iran)
2. Containerized Shipments (20FT Containers):
- Load per container: ~25 MT (on pallets)
- Ideal for small to mid-size orders (500–8000 MT)
- Preferred for remote island ports or special inland routes
🌍 Country of Origin
- Pakistan 🇵🇰
- Vietnam 🇻🇳
- Iran 🇮🇷
- UAE 🇦🇪
- Turkey 🇹🇷
- Indonesia, Egypt
📥 Buyer Markets
- Africa: Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, Tanzania
- Asia: Bangladesh, Maldives, Sri Lanka
- Caribbean: Haiti, DR, Jamaica
- Latin America: Chile, Ecuador
- Re-export via:
- UAE (Jebel Ali)
- Singapore
- Sri Lanka (Colombo)
Re-export allows buyers to avoid direct import restrictions, repack, relabel, or consolidate cargo through free zones in Dubai, Singapore, and others.
💲 Reference Prices (Educational Use Only)
| Quantity | USD/MT | Type |
|---|---|---|
| 12,500 MT | $115 | Spot |
| 25,000 MT | $110 | Spot |
| 50,000 MT | $105 | Spot |
| 100,000 MT | $100 | Spot |
| 150,000 MT | $95 | Annual |
| 300,000 MT | $90 | Annual |
| 600,000 MT | $85 | Annual |
| 1.2 Million MT | $82 | Annual |
| 500–8000 MT FOB | $58 | Small FOB |
Prices vary based on availability, port congestion, destination port restrictions, and shipping season.
📑 HS Code & Tariffs
| HS Code | Description |
|---|---|
| 252329 | Portland Cement (Excluding White Cement) |
Tariffs vary by importing country:
- Africa & South Asia: 5–15% (may be waived under development programs)
- Gulf States: Often duty-free under FTA or low-rate MFN
- Re-export via UAE/Singapore may require proof of transshipment origin
📄 Required Documentation
| Document | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Proforma Invoice | Initial buyer offer and bank record |
| Commercial Invoice | Declared value for customs |
| Packing List | Gross/net weights, quantity |
| Bill of Lading | Shipment ownership & mode of transport |
| Certificate of Origin (COO) | Issued by local Chamber of Commerce |
| SGS Inspection Certificate | Confirms quality & quantity at loading |
| MSDS Sheet | Safety handling data |
| Cleaning Certificate | Confirms containers cleaned before loading |
| Radiation Certificate | Needed for EU, Africa, and Latin America |
| Weight & Quality Certificate | Issued by third-party inspectors |
| Fumigation Certificate (if any) | Required when using wooden pallets |
| Re-export Certificate | From Dubai, Singapore, etc. (if applicable) |
💳 Payment Terms Commonly Used
| Payment Term | Description |
|---|---|
| DLC | Irrevocable, Confirmed, at Sight LC from Top Tier Banks |
| TT | Advance via SWIFT (used for smaller shipments or repeat buyers) |
| ARDLC | Auto-Renewable DLC for long-term or rolling contracts |
| CAD | Cash Against Documents via bank (used in some Africa, South Asia regions) |
| Bank-to-Bank Transfer | Direct payment between authorized banks (under strict terms) |
⚠️ All payments must comply with UCP 600 (Uniform Customs & Practice for Documentary Credits)
🔁 Standard Trade Procedure (Educational Example)
- Buyer submits LOI and BCL
- Seller issues FCO (Full Corporate Offer)
- Buyer returns signed and sealed FCO
- Seller issues Draft Contract
- Buyer signs and returns contract
- Buyer’s bank opens DLC/ARDLC/CAD
- Seller arranges SGS Inspection
- Shipment begins within 30–45 days of LC activation
- Documents submitted to buyer’s bank for clearance and release
⚠️ Legal & Educational Disclaimer
- This article is provided strictly for educational, research, and industry study purposes.
- No live offer, solicitation, or company name is included.
- Data, quantities, and trade procedures presented are based on real-world trade samples but may vary by country, port, and legal frameworks.
- Always consult trade authorities, legal advisors, and port customs for current procedures.
📌 Conclusion
Ordinary Portland Cement 42.5 R continues to be one of the most sought-after materials in global construction. Its strength, versatility, and compliance with international standards make it a staple in infrastructure development. Whether through direct export or via re-export hubs like Dubai and Singapore, understanding the payment modes, certifications, and shipment methods ensures better trade execution and compliance.