Bitumen Packing List Template
Last updated: 2026-10-01
A standard bitumen packing list for a 20-ft container covers 28–30 drums (each 150–180 kg net) or 1 × flexitank holding 20–24 MT of bitumen, and must show net/gross weight, drum count, batch number, HS code 2713.20, and density at 25°C. Missing any of these six fields is the single most common cause of customs holds at discharge ports, adding 3–7 days and $150–400/day in demurrage. The template below eliminates those gaps.
Why Bitumen Packing Lists Differ From Standard Cargo Documents
Bitumen is a temperature-sensitive, high-density (typically 1.01–1.05 kg/L at 25°C) semi-solid. Standard packing lists fail on three fronts:
- Weight variance: Drum weights fluctuate ±2–3% between fills. A list showing a flat "200 kg/drum" for 150 kg drums gets flagged.
- Temperature reference: Net weight changes with fill temperature. Lists must state density at 25°C and the temperature at loading.
- Dangerous goods classification: Some cutback and emulsified grades carry UN 1999 / Class 3 or UN 3257 / Class 9 designations. The packing list must reconcile with the DG declaration or the vessel will reject the booking.
| Document | Mandatory Fields Unique to Bitumen |
|---|---|
| Commercial Invoice | Grade (60/70, 80/100, PG 64-22), price/MT, Incoterms |
| Packing List | Drum count, net/gross per unit, batch no., HS 2713.20 |
| Bill of Lading | Freight terms, container/seal no., gross weight |
| DG Declaration | UN number, class, flash point |
| Certificate of Analysis | Penetration, softening point, viscosity |
A 90% rejection rate on first-submission bitumen docs at Jebel Ali and Karachi traces back to mismatched weights between the invoice, packing list, and B/L — not missing paperwork.
Bitumen Packing List Template: Field-by-Field Breakdown
| Field | Example Entry | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Exporter name/address | Gulf Bitumen Trading FZE, Sharjah, UAE | Match invoice exactly |
| Consignee | Lagos Asphalt Ltd., Apapa, Nigeria | Full legal name + TIN |
| Invoice No. / Date | GBT-2024-0871 / 14-Mar-2025 | Cross-reference both docs |
| Packing List No. | PL-GBT-0871 | Sequential, unique |
| Vessel / Voyage | MV Ocean Trader / V.2415E | Match B/L |
| Port of Loading | Jebel Ali (AEJEA) | UN/LOCODE preferred |
| Port of Discharge | Apapa (NGAPP) | |
| Container / Seal No. | MSKU7743921 / SL8842109 | One row per container |
| Line | Description | Grade | Package Type | Qty | Net/Unit (kg) | Net Total (MT) | Gross Total (MT) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Penetration Bitumen | 60/70 | Steel drum | 28 | 182 | 5.096 | 5.320 |
| 2 | Penetration Bitumen | 60/70 | Steel drum | 28 | 181 | 5.068 | 5.292 |
| 3 | Oxidized Bitumen | 115/15 | Poly-bag (25 kg) | 800 | 25 | 20.000 | 20.160 |
| 4 | Bitumen Emulsion | CSS-1h | Flexitank | 1 | 22,400 | 22.400 | 22.900 |
Critical rule: Net total + tare weight = gross total. If the variance exceeds 0.5%, customs brokers in Nigeria, Kenya, and Iraq will request a re-issued document.
- Total net weight: sum of all line items (state in both kg and MT)
- Total gross weight: net + packaging tare
- Tare weights: steel drum 18–22 kg, poly-bag 0.3 kg, flexitank ~120 kg, ISO tank 3,600–4,200 kg
- Total CBM: drums on pallets ≈ 1.9–2.1 CBM/MT; flexitank ≈ 1.1 CBM/MT
- Total packages: count in words and figures (e.g., "Fifty-Six (56) Drums")
Packaging Comparison: Drums vs. Flexitank vs. ISO Tank
Choosing the wrong format changes your entire packing list — and your landed cost.
| Parameter | Steel Drums | Flexitank | ISO Tank |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity per unit | 150–180 kg | 20–24 MT | 20–25 MT |
| Units per 20-ft | 28–30 | 1 | 1 |
| Fill temp required | 150–160°C | 140–160°C | 140–160°C |
| Tare weight | 18–22 kg/drum | ~120 kg | 3,600–4,200 kg |
| Ocean freight (indicative) | $1,800–2,400/20-ft | $2,200–2,900/20-ft | $2,800–3,800/20-ft |
| Cost per MT (freight) | $60–85 | $95–120 | $120–155 |
| Customs hold risk | Low | Medium (leak reports) | Low |
| Best for | <100 MT, multiple grades | 20–24 MT single grade | Repeat 20+ MT shipments |
Decision rule: Under 100 MT, drums win on cost and flexibility. Between 20–24 MT of a single grade, flexitank cuts packaging cost by ~40% versus drums. Above 500 MT/month, ISO tanks reduce per-shipment documentation errors because tare weight is fixed and printed on the tank plate.
Filling the Template: Data Accuracy Checklist
Run this 10-point check before every submission. Each unchecked item adds 1–3 days to clearance on average.
- [ ] HS code verified: 2713.20 for petroleum bitumen; 2713.90 for other residues. Wrong code = re-classification + duty recalculation.
- [ ] Density stated: e.g., "1.03 kg/L @ 25°C." Without it, some ports convert CBM to MT at an assumed 1.00, creating a 3% weight gap.
- [ ] Batch numbers listed: Traceability requirement in EU (REACH) and increasingly in GCC.
- [ ] Net + tare = gross: Recalculate line by line. Do not copy from the invoice.
- [ ] Grade nomenclature consistent: "60/70" on invoice, "Pen 60/70," "Grade 60/70" on packing list — pick one and standardize.
- [ ] DG fields present if applicable: UN number, class, packing group, flash point (°C).
- [ ] Package count in words: "Twenty-Eight (28) Drums." Prevents alteration disputes.
- [ ] Temperature at loading recorded: Especially for emulsion grades (max 85°C).
- [ ] Seal numbers match B/L: A single digit off triggers a $75–200 amendment fee.
- [ ] Signatory block complete: Name, title, company stamp, date.
| Error Type | Frequency in Rejected Lists | Average Delay | Average Cost Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Weight mismatch >0.5% | 34% | 4 days | $600–1,600 |
| Missing density/temp | 22% | 2 days | $300–800 |
| HS code error | 18% | 5–10 days | $1,200–4,000 |
| Seal/container mismatch | 15% | 3 days | $225–600 |
| Missing DG data | 11% | 7 days+ | $2,000+ |
Regional Variations: What Changes by Destination
The template core stays fixed, but four destinations impose additions:
- Nigeria (Apapa, Onne): Requires Form M number and SONCAP certificate reference on the packing list header. Expect 5–9 days clearance even with perfect docs.
- Kenya (Mombasa): KEBS pre-export verification of conformity (PVoC) number mandatory. Adds $800–1,400 per shipment in inspection fees.
- Iraq (Umm Qasr): Arabic-language summary line required. Missing it = 10-day hold minimum.
- India (Nhava Sheva, Kandla): BIS certification reference and PQ (prior quota) details if applicable. Delays average 4–6 days without the reference.
Bottom line for exporters: maintain two template versions — a GCC/Asia version and an Africa version — and you cut documentation rejection to under 5%.
FAQ: Bitumen Packing List Template
How many drums of bitumen fit in a 20-ft container, and how do I list them?
A standard 20-ft holds 28–30 steel drums at 150–180 kg each, giving 4.2–5.4 MT net. List each drum batch as a separate line item showing net weight per unit, total net, tare, and gross — never a single lumped row.
What is the HS code for bitumen on a packing list?
Use 2713.20 for petroleum bitumen and 2713.90 for other petroleum residues. Cutback bitumen may classify under 2713.20 with a UN 1999 DG annotation if it meets Class 3 flash point criteria.
Should the packing list show density and temperature?
Yes — always state density at 25°C (typically 1.01–1.05 kg/L) and the loading temperature. Ports like Lagos and Mombasa use this to verify declared weights; omitting it causes an average 2-day hold.
How do I handle weight variance across drums?
Declare actual weights per drum batch rather than a flat average, and keep total variance under 0.5% versus the B/L. If variance exceeds 1%, issue a corrected packing list before vessel departure.
Does a flexitank shipment need a different packing list format?
Yes — the flexitank replaces "package count" with a single unit line showing net 20–24 MT, tare ~120 kg, and CBM ~24. You must also attach the flexitank manufacturer's certificate and the heating/filling record.
Ready to calculate your exact landed cost before building the packing list? Use the 6Tar cost calculator to model freight, tare, duty, and port charges per MT across drums, flexitank, and ISO tank options — then generate a packing list that matches your numbers to the kilogram.