SCI Bitumen Price
Last updated: 2026-10-08
SCI Bitumen Price
The SCI bitumen price (Iran's Standard Classification of Goods bitumen, typically penetration grade 60/70 or 40/50) currently ranges between $385 and $445 per metric ton FOB Bandar Abbas, depending on grade, packaging, and shipment volume. For bulk vessel quantities above 5,000 MT, buyers can negotiate down to approximately $390–$405/MT, while drummed (new steel drum) cargoes add $60–$85/MT to the base price. Prices refresh weekly in line with Iran Mercantile Exchange (IME) trends and global crude benchmarks.
What Is SCI Bitumen and Why Its Price Matters
SCI stands for Standard Classification of Goods, Iran's official coding system for export commodities. In bitumen trade, "SCI bitumen" refers to Iranian-origin penetration-grade bitumen registered under SCI codes (most commonly 2713 series) — primarily 60/70, 40/50, 85/100, and 10/20 grades. These codes matter because they determine:
- Export licensing and customs clearance at Iranian ports
- Tariff treatment in destination countries
- Banking and payment channel eligibility (especially post-sanction compliance)
Because Iran is one of the world's largest bitumen exporters — shipping over 4 million MT annually to Asia, Africa, and the Middle East — SCI pricing directly influences regional asphalt costs. When SCI bitumen prices move, buyers in India, China, UAE, and West Africa typically see spot price shifts within 7–14 days.
| Factor | Impact on SCI Bitumen Price | Typical Effect |
|---|---|---|
| Crude oil (Brent) | High correlation | +$10 Brent ≈ +$8–12/MT |
| IME weekly auction price | Direct benchmark | Sets floor price |
| Iranian Rial (IRR) exchange rate | Moderate | Weak rial = cheaper exports |
| Shipping & freight rates | Moderate | +$15–40/MT for long-haul |
| Packaging (bulk vs. drum) | High | +$60–85/MT for drums |
| Seasonality (Q4 demand) | Moderate | +3–7% Nov–Feb |
Current SCI Bitumen Price Table (2025)
Below is a representative snapshot of SCI bitumen prices by grade. Prices are FOB Bandar Abbas in USD per metric ton, based on bulk vessel (Jumbo Bag and drum rates noted separately).
| Grade (Penetration) | Bulk Vessel FOB | Jumbo Bag FOB | New Steel Drum FOB |
|---|---|---|---|
| 40/50 | $410 – $445 | $455 – $480 | $495 – $525 |
| 60/70 | $385 – $415 | $435 – $465 | $470 – $505 |
| 85/100 | $380 – $405 | $430 – $455 | $465 – $495 |
| 10/20 (Oxidized) | $420 – $460 | $470 – $500 | $510 – $540 |
| PG 64-22 | $430 – $470 | $480 – $515 | $520 – $555 |
Notes:
- Minimum order: 500 MT for bulk; 100 MT for drummed cargo
- Payment: LC at sight, TT, or cash against documents
- Loading port: Bandar Abbas (primary), Imam Khomeini (secondary)
- Lead time: 10–20 days from contract signature to vessel loading
| Month | 60/70 Bulk (USD/MT) | Change vs. Prior Month |
|---|---|---|
| Jan 2025 | $398 | — |
| Feb 2025 | $405 | +1.8% |
| Mar 2025 | $412 | +1.7% |
| Apr 2025 | $408 | −1.0% |
| May 2025 | $395 | −3.2% |
| Jun 2025 | $402 | +1.8% |
The pattern shows SCI bitumen prices oscillating within a $30–40 band over six months — tight enough for buyers to lock contracts with confidence, but volatile enough to reward timing.
SCI Bitumen Price vs. Other Origins
Buyers often compare SCI bitumen with Bahrain, UAE (Fujairah), and Singapore origins. Here is how they stack up:
| Origin | 60/70 Bulk FOB (USD/MT) | Key Advantage | Key Drawback |
|---|---|---|---|
| Iran (SCI) | $385 – $415 | Lowest base price | Payment/logistics complexity |
| Bahrain | $440 – $470 | Reliable banking | Higher cost |
| UAE (Fujairah) | $450 – $485 | Fast logistics, re-export | Premium pricing |
| Singapore | $465 – $500 | High-grade spec | Highest cost |
| South Korea | $470 – $510 | Consistent quality | Long lead time |
Bottom line: SCI bitumen offers a $50–95/MT cost advantage over Gulf and Asian competitors. For a 5,000 MT order, that's a savings of $250,000–$475,000 — significant enough to justify the extra due diligence on Iranian-origin compliance.
- Small orders under 500 MT: freight and documentation overhead erodes savings
- Destinations with Iran-specific restrictions: e.g., certain US-linked ports
- Urgent delivery needs: Iranian logistics can add 5–10 days vs. UAE re-export
- Specialty grades (PG, polymer-modified): availability is more limited
How SCI Bitumen Prices Are Set
Understanding the pricing mechanism helps buyers negotiate better. SCI bitumen pricing follows this chain:
1. Crude feedstock cost — Iranian Heavy crude at discounted rates feeds refineries (Jey, Pasargad, Sepahan, Isfahan)
2. Refinery ex-works price — quoted in IRR or USD equivalent, updated weekly
3. IME auction benchmark — Iran Mercantile Exchange publishes transparent weekly prices
4. FOB adjustment — adds port handling, storage, loading, inspection (typically $18–28/MT)
5. Freight and insurance — CIF adds $25–70/MT depending on destination
6. Dealer margin — 2–6% at trader level
| Cost Component | USD/MT | Total (5,000 MT) |
|---|---|---|
| Refinery ex-works | $335 | $1,675,000 |
| Port handling & FOB adj. | $22 | $110,000 |
| Freight (Bandar Abbas–Mundra) | $38 | $190,000 |
| Insurance (0.15%) | $0.60 | $3,000 |
| Inspection & certification | $1.50 | $7,500 |
| Trader margin (4%) | $15.90 | $79,500 |
| Total CIF landed | $413 | $2,065,000 |
This transparency is why experienced buyers rarely accept quoted prices without a breakdown — a 3–5% margin negotiation on 5,000 MT equals $60,000–100,000 in savings.
Factors That Move SCI Bitumen Prices in 2025
The IRR/USD rate has depreciated over 30% annually in recent years. A weaker rial makes Iranian bitumen more competitive on export markets, often driving SCI prices down in USD terms even when domestic costs rise.
SCI bitumen tracks Brent and Iranian Heavy crude with a lag of 10–20 days. With Brent trading between $72–$86/bbl in 2025, SCI prices have stayed range-bound.
- Q1 (Jan–Mar): Peak season for India, Africa; prices +3–7%
- Q2 (Apr–Jun): Monsoon slowdown in South Asia; prices −2–5%
- Q3 (Jul–Sep): Mixed demand; stable pricing
- Q4 (Oct–Dec): Year-end rush, construction deadlines; prices +4–8%
Vessel availability at Bandar Abbas fluctuates. When waiting times exceed 8 days, spot prices can spike $10–20/MT as buyers compete for loading slots.
Restrictions on Iranian banking can add $5–15/MT in compliance and intermediary costs. Buyers using UAE-based trading houses or barter/dirham settlements often get better all-in pricing than those attempting direct LC routes.
FAQ: SCI Bitumen Price
Q1: What is the current SCI bitumen price for grade 60/70?
As of mid-2025, SCI 60/70 bitumen prices range from $385 to $415 per MT FOB Bandar Abbas in bulk vessel quantities. Drummed cargoes cost an additional $60–85/MT, and jumbo bag packaging adds $40–55/MT.
Q2: How often do SCI bitumen prices change?
IME publishes SCI-aligned bitumen prices weekly (usually Saturday), and major refineries update their ex-works quotes on the same schedule. However, FOB and CIF prices quoted by traders can shift daily with freight and currency movements.
Q3: What is the minimum order quantity for SCI bitumen?
Bulk vessel shipments typically require a minimum of 500–1,000 MT, while drummed or jumbo-bagged cargoes can start from 100 MT. For containerized LCL orders, minimums can drop to 20–25 MT but with a $70–100/MT cost premium.
Q4: Is SCI bitumen cheaper than UAE or Bahrain bitumen?
Yes — SCI bitumen is generally $50–95/MT cheaper than Bahrain or Fujairah-origin bitumen on a like-for-like FOB basis. However, buyers should factor in payment compliance costs and possible freight surcharges of $10–20/MT.
Q5: What payment terms are typical for SCI bitumen purchases?
Common terms include irrevocable LC at sight, TT (wire transfer), or CAD (cash against documents) through intermediary banks in the UAE, Turkey, or Oman. Larger buyers (above 10,000 MT annually) sometimes secure 30–60 day credit terms at a 1.5–2.5% premium.
Closing: Calculate Your Exact SCI Bitumen Cost
SCI bitumen prices look simple at the headline level — $385–$445/MT — but the true landed cost depends on grade, packaging, freight, payment route, and compliance overhead. A difference of $20/MT on 5,000 MT is $100,000 — worth modeling before you commit.
Before you sign, run the full math yourself.
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