TRADING · SUGAR · LN-ATL-02

VHP raw. ICUMSA-45 white.

VHP raw and ICUMSA-45 refined sugar from Brazil and India for Gulf refineries and buyers in Chittagong, Karachi and Colombo. Bulk, bagged and containerised shipment options are agreed around your grade, volume and delivery requirements.

UPDATED 4 SEPTEMBER 2026
SPEC SHEET

Sugar grades

GRADES
VHP raw (bulk) · ICUMSA-45 refined (bagged / big-bag / container)
KEY SPECS
Polarization (VHP min 99.4°Z typical) · ICUMSA colour · moisture · ash
CORRIDOR
Brazil (Santos / Paranaguá) · India → Gulf refineries (Dubai · Saudi Arabia) · Chittagong · Karachi · Colombo
PARCEL SIZE
Containers to 50,000 MT bulk · Supramax to Panamax
INCOTERMS
FOB · CFR · CIF
DOCUMENTS
Quality & weight · origin · SGS-class inspection · full B/L set
PAYMENT
LC · CAD — structured per counterparty
HOW THE CORRIDOR RUNS

Raw and refined sugar from origin to refinery, step by step

Sugar moves two ways on the book: VHP raw in bulk for refineries, and ICUMSA-45 white in bags or containers for distributors. Both follow the same six stages under one contract.

01

Origination & contract

Brazilian and Indian VHP raw sugar is contracted on polarization, moisture and ash; refined sugar on ICUMSA colour, polarization and packing. Exact limits and origin availability are confirmed in the contract.

02

Tonnage & packing

Bulk raw sugar parcels are assessed up to 50,000 MT. Refined sugar moves in 50 kg bags, big bags or containers, with packing, marking and shipment quantity agreed in the contract.

03

Loading & inspection

An independent inspection company supervises loading at Santos, Paranaguá or Indian ports and certifies the agreed quality parameters and weight.

04

Documents

Bills of lading, quality, weight and origin certificates, packing lists and any required phytosanitary documents are checked against the contract and letter-of-credit requirements before presentation.

05

Voyage

Brazilian and Indian shipments are planned against the buyer’s delivery window. Routing, vessel schedules and port conditions determine transit time; ETA changes are reported during the voyage.

06

Discharge & delivery

Bulk discharge to refinery facilities or bagged delivery arrangements are defined in the contract. CFR and CIF cover freight to the named destination port; import clearance, duties and inland transport remain the buyer’s responsibility unless separately agreed.

FAQ

Questions sugar buyers ask first

What is the difference between VHP and ICUMSA-45?

VHP is very-high-polarization raw sugar, typically 99.4°Z or above, shipped in bulk to refineries. ICUMSA-45 is refined white sugar with a colour reading of 45 IU or below, shipped bagged or containerised for direct distribution to industrial and retail buyers.

What quantities can you supply?

NASIF supplies from single containers of refined sugar to full bulk cargoes of raw sugar of around 50,000 MT. Programmes with monthly or quarterly shipments are structured per counterparty, with quantity, packing and delivery windows fixed in the contract.

Which Incoterms apply?

Bulk raw sugar can be quoted FOB at the named loading port, or CFR/CIF at the named destination port. Containerised refined sugar may also move FCA or DAP. Under DAP, the seller delivers to the named place, ready for unloading; the buyer handles import clearance and duties.

How is quality guaranteed?

Independent inspection at the load port covers polarization, colour, moisture and weight. The certificates travel with the shipping documents and are final at loading unless the contract says otherwise, in which case a discharge analysis procedure is agreed in advance.

What payment terms are usual?

Letter of credit at sight or cash against documents, structured per counterparty. Programme business can be set up on rolling documentary credits so that each shipment is paid against the same document set without renegotiating terms.

How fast can you quote?

Send grade, quantity, packing, destination and shipment dates. We aim to provide an initial response within one working day; indicative pricing is subject to specifications and origin, stock and transport availability.

Which origins does NASIF ship sugar from?

Brazil and India are our established sourcing origins. Brazilian cargoes load at Santos or Paranaguá; Indian loading ports are agreed for the shipment. Origin availability and voyage timing are confirmed when quoting.

How is refined sugar packed for shipment?

ICUMSA-45 ships in 50 kg polypropylene bags with an inner liner, in big bags of 1,000–1,200 kg, or loose in containers where the receiver can handle it. Packing and marking are specified in the contract and checked at loading.

Can NASIF supply sugar to refineries in the Gulf?

Yes. Bulk VHP raw sugar for refineries in Dubai and Saudi Arabia is a core line, shipped on Supramax or Panamax tonnage fixed by NASIF’s own chartering desk and discharged directly into the refinery’s silo.

Who handles customs and delivery at destination?

Under both CFR and CIF, the buyer handles import clearance, duties and inland transport unless additional services are separately agreed. The seller pays freight to the named destination port; CIF also requires the seller to arrange cargo insurance. Under both terms, cargo risk transfers when the goods are loaded on board at the shipment port.

Request this cargo

Send grade, quantity, packing and destination to discuss a quotation on FOB, CFR or CIF terms.

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