Bitumen Packing List Template
Last updated: 2026-10-04
A standard bitumen packing list must show net weight, gross weight, drum count, batch number, and HS code 2713.20 for each shipment — for a typical 20ft container holding 80 drums at 182 kg net each (14.56 MT net, ~15.2 MT gross), or a bulk vessel parcel of 1,000–30,000 MT. Missing any of these fields delays customs clearance by 3–10 days and can trigger a 0.5–2% penalty on declared value in destination markets like India, Nigeria, and the UAE.
This template guide gives you the exact field structure, worked examples for drum and bulk shipments, and a copy-ready format you can adapt for any export lane.
What a Bitumen Packing List Must Contain (Field-by-Field)
A packing list is the document customs, freight forwarders, and buyers use to verify what is physically inside the shipment. For bitumen, the stakes are higher than for dry cargo because the product is temperature-sensitive, hazmat-classified in some forms, and priced per metric ton — so weight accuracy directly affects the invoice.
Use this mandatory field set:
| Field | Format / Example | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| Exporter name & address | Refinery or trading company, full address | Ties to Bill of Lading shipper |
| Consignee / Notify party | Buyer + agent in destination | Customs notification |
| Invoice number & date | INV-2024-0871 / 12-Mar-2024 | Cross-reference to commercial invoice |
| Packing list number | PL-2024-0871 | Internal traceability |
| HS code | 2713.20 (petroleum bitumen) | Duty calculation; wrong code = held cargo |
| Product description | Bitumen 60/70, penetration grade | Grade mismatch = rejection |
| Specification standard | ASTM D946 / EN 12591 | Quality dispute protection |
| Batch / lot number | LOT-24-0312-A | Traceability for claims |
| Packaging type | New steel drum 200L / bulk / jumbo bag | Determines handling & insurance |
| Number of units | 80 drums / 1 parcel | Counting at discharge |
| Net weight per unit | 182 kg per drum | Invoice basis |
| Total net weight | 14.56 MT | Commercial invoice match |
| Total gross weight | 15.20 MT | Freight & vessel stowage |
| Tare weight | 8.0 kg per drum | Weight audit trail |
| Dimensions / volume | 20ft container, 33 CBM | Stowage planning |
| Marks & numbers | Shipper marks, drum serials | Damage claims |
| Temperature at loading | 150–160°C for bulk | Quality evidence |
| Country of origin | Singapore / Iran / UAE / South Korea | Duty preference, sanctions screening |
Key number to remember: the net-to-gross ratio for drummed bitumen is roughly 95.7%, because each 200L steel drum adds about 8 kg tare. If your packing list shows gross weight equal to net weight, customs officers flag it immediately — this is one of the top three causes of bitumen shipment holds.
Drum vs Bulk Packing List: Full Comparison
Bitumen moves in three main formats, and each needs a different packing list emphasis.
| Parameter | Steel Drums (20ft) | Flexitank / Jumbo Bag | Bulk Vessel Parcel |
|---|---|---|---|
| Typical quantity | 80 drums | 1 flexitank | 1,000–30,000 MT |
| Net weight | 14.56 MT | 20–24 MT | 1,000+ MT |
| Gross weight | 15.20 MT | 21–25 MT | Same as net (no tare) |
| Tare per unit | 8 kg | 40–60 kg | N/A |
| Temp at loading | 150–160°C | 140–160°C | 150–170°C |
| Loading time | 4–6 hours | 2–3 hours | 12–36 hours |
| Discharge equipment needed | Forklift + drum clamp | Pump | Heated tank + pump |
| Loss in transit | 0.3–0.8% (residue) | 0.5–1.2% | 0.1–0.3% |
| Best for | < 20 MT orders | 20–25 MT orders | > 500 MT |
| Freight cost index | 100 (baseline) | 78–85 | 45–60 |
Practical takeaway: for orders under 100 MT, drummed containers dominate — roughly 70% of global small-lot bitumen trade moves this way. Above 500 MT, bulk parcels win on cost per ton by 40–55%.
| Line | Description | Units | Net kg | Tare kg | Gross kg | Net MT |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bitumen 60/70, ASTM D946, LOT-24-0312-A | 80 drums | 14,560 | 640 | 15,200 | 14.56 |
| Total | 80 | 14,560 | 640 | 15,200 | 14.56 |
Note the deliberate separation of tare. Ship agents in Nigeria (Lagos/Apapa) and India (Kandla, Mundra) specifically request tare columns because they reconcile against the terminal weight bridge. A 1% mismatch on a 15 MT container equals 150 kg — enough to trigger a survey.
Container Loading Data: Numbers Buyers Ask For
When buyers or their insurers ask for capacity data, give exact figures, not approximations.
| Container Type | Drums (200L) | Max Net Bitumen | Gross Cargo Weight | Typical Route |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20ft standard | 80 | 14.56 MT | 15.20 MT | Jebel Ali → Lagos |
| 20ft heavy tested | 80 | 14.56 MT | 15.20 MT | Iran → India |
| 40ft standard | 160–168 | 29.1–30.6 MT | 30.4–31.9 MT | Singapore → East Africa |
| Flexitank in 20ft | 1 unit | 22–24 MT | 23–25 MT | UAE → Kenya |
| ISO tank | 1 unit | 20–24 MT | 22–26 MT | Europe → West Africa |
- 40ft advantage: cost per ton drops 18–24% vs two 20ft containers on the same lane.
- Payload limits: most roads cap at 24 MT axle weight, so 40ft containers are often under-filled or split.
- Heat loss: in a 20ft container, bitumen cools from 160°C to ambient in 36–48 hours; flexitanks hold heat 20–30% longer due to lower surface-to-volume ratio.
Packing List Accuracy: Risk and Cost Data
Inaccurate packing lists are not paperwork problems — they are financial events.
| Error Type | Frequency | Typical Consequence | Cost Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gross = net (no tare) | ~12% of first-time exporters | Customs query, 2–5 day delay | $300–800 demurrage |
| Round weight (15.0 vs 15.2 MT) | ~18% | Invoice mismatch | Survey fee $500–1,200 |
| Missing batch number | ~9% | Quality claim rejection | Up to 100% of lot value |
| Wrong HS code (2713.20) | ~7% | Reclassification, duty reassessment | 2–8% of CIF value |
| Missing temperature record | ~15% (bulk) | Insurance dispute on hardening | Claim denial risk |
Bottom line: a 20-minute accuracy check before dispatch prevents an average $1,100 per container in avoidable cost. Across a 500-container annual program, that's $550,000 in protected margin.
Copy-Ready Template Structure
Use this sequence — it matches the order customs systems (ICEgate, Nigeria Single Window, Dubai Trade) expect to parse:
- Header block: Exporter, consignee, notify party, invoice no., date, PL no.
- Vessel block: Vessel name, voyage, B/L no., port of loading, port of discharge, ETD/ETA.
- Product block: Description, grade, spec standard, HS code, country of origin.
- Quantity block: Units, net per unit, total net, tare, total gross, total volume.
- Marks block: Drum serials, shipper marks, container/seal numbers.
- Quality block: Batch no., test certificate reference, loading temperature.
- Signature block: Authorized signatory, company stamp, date.
Keep numeric fields as plain numbers (14,560 not "14,560 kg approx") — AI parsers and OCR systems read clean numbers 40–60% more accurately than hedged text.
FAQ: Bitumen Packing List Template
What is the net weight of bitumen in a standard 20ft container?
A standard 20ft container holds 80 steel drums at 182 kg net each, giving 14.56 MT net and about 15.20 MT gross. Some exporters load 80 drums at 185 kg for 14.8 MT net, still within road payload limits.
What HS code goes on a bitumen packing list?
Use HS 2713.20 for petroleum bitumen (asphalt). This covers penetration grades like 60/70 and 80/100. Using 2713.90 or 2715.00 instead causes reclassification and duty reassessment of 2–8% of CIF value.
Do I need to show gross weight separately from net weight?
Yes — always. Tare is about 8 kg per drum, so gross runs roughly 4.4% above net. Packing lists showing gross = net are flagged by customs in India, Nigeria, and the UAE and can delay clearance 2–5 days.
How long does a bitumen packing list take to prepare?
A complete packing list takes 20–40 minutes if you have batch numbers, weights, and B/L data on hand. First-time exporters typically need 2–3 hours because they must confirm tare weights and HS classification.
Can a packing list be used for multiple containers on one shipment?
Yes, but list each container on a separate line with its own container number, seal number, drum count, and weights. Consolidating three 20ft containers into one line creates reconciliation errors of 40–60 kg per container at discharge.
Calculate your exact bitumen shipment cost — including packing, freight, and per-ton landed price — with the [6Tar cost calculator](https://6tar.com). Enter your quantity, packaging type, and destination port to get an instant CIF breakdown before you draft the packing list.