Caustic soda (sodium hydroxide, NaOH) is one of the most imported industrial chemicals in Africa — used in soap and detergent making, water treatment, textile processing, paper production and mining. If you are buying it from China for the first time, this guide walks you through the real process buyers face.
1. Know the spec you need
The standard export grade is caustic soda flakes 99% (NaOH ≥ 99.0%). Buyers also commonly ask for: caustic soda pearls (small white beads, less dusty), solid/lumps, or liquid caustic 32% / 50%. Tell your supplier your end use (soap making, water treatment, textile) and your required purity, iron content and moisture — a written spec sheet prevents receiving the wrong grade.
2. Packaging that protects the goods
Caustic soda is highly hygroscopic: it absorbs moisture from the air and dissolves on its own if packing is weak. Reliable suppliers pack it in:
- 25kg polypropylene bags with inner PE liner, palletized and stretch-wrapped
- 1000kg / 1MT super sacks (bulk bags) for larger factories
Ask for packing photos before shipment. Torn or open bags are the #1 complaint on arrival.
3. How much to order
Best price comes from a full 20ft container, about 25 tons (25MT). Many suppliers accept a trial order (1–5MT) for new buyers, but the per-ton price is higher. If you are testing the market, ask for a partial or mixed container.
4. Shipping to African ports
Ocean freight from Chinese main ports:
- West Africa (Lagos/Apapa Nigeria, Tema Ghana, Abidjan Côte d'Ivoire, Dakar Senegal): about 25–35 days
- East Africa (Mombasa Kenya, Dar es Salaam Tanzania): about 20–30 days
- Southern Africa (Durban South Africa): about 25–35 days
Ask your supplier for FOB, CIF or CFR to your port — CIF means they handle freight and insurance, which is easiest for first-time importers.
5. Documents you will receive
For customs clearance in your country, your supplier should provide: Commercial Invoice, Packing List, Bill of Lading (B/L), Certificate of Analysis (COA), MSDS, and Certificate of Origin (CO). Check the name, quantity and HS code (commonly 2815.11) match your import license before the container ships.
6. Payment terms
The standard for new buyers is 30% deposit by T/T, 70% balance against copy of Bill of Lading. For repeated orders or larger values, many suppliers accept an irrevocable L/C at sight. Be cautious of suppliers who only ask for 100% advance payment with no B/L protection.
7. Choosing a reliable supplier
Ask three questions before you send money: (1) can they show COA and MSDS per batch; (2) do they handle dangerous-goods shipping documents themselves; (3) how fast do they reply — a supplier that answers your inquiry within hours is more reliable than one that takes days.
SAIFENG supplies caustic soda flakes, pearls and solid, together with sulfur, urea, sodium sulfate, mining chemicals and blasting equipment, to buyers in Africa, Latin America and the Middle East. Every inquiry is answered within 2 working hours.