Buy Bitumen From Georgia
Last updated: 2026-10-13
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Buy Bitumen From Georgia
Georgia (the country) supplies 50,000–70,000 metric tons of bitumen per year, with export prices for 60/70 penetration grade landing at $410–$470 per metric ton FOB Poti as of 2024–2025. For buyers in Turkey, Armenia, Azerbaijan, and the Black Sea region, Georgia offers a 3–7 day transit advantage over Persian Gulf or Singapore suppliers, plus 0% export duty on petroleum bitumen and direct rail-ferry connections to Constanța, Varna, and Odessa. If your project needs consistent 60/70 or 85/100 grade material with verifiable penetration and softening point test certificates, Georgia is one of the most cost-efficient sourcing options in the wider Caspian–Black Sea corridor.
Why Georgia Is a Strategic Bitumen Sourcing Hub
Georgia sits at the intersection of Azeri refinery output, Russian export flows (when permitted), and European import demand. Its two Black Sea ports — Poti and Batumi — handle bulk liquid cargo, ISO tank containers, and flexitank shipments, giving buyers multiple loading configurations.
Key structural advantages:
- 0% export duty on bitumen and asphalt under Georgia's customs code
- Direct rail links from Baku (Azerbaijan) and via the BTK (Baku–Tbilisi–Kars) railway to Turkey
- VAT-free re-export regime for goods transiting through free industrial zones
- Port turnaround of 24–48 hours for pre-cleared bitumen cargo at Poti
- No quota restrictions on petroleum bitumen exports
Most Georgian export volume originates from Azerbaijan's Heydar Aliyev Baku Oil Refinery (via pipeline and rail) and from re-exported Iranian and Turkmen material blended to spec at Batumi and Poti terminals.
| Supplier Country | Price (USD/MT, 60/70 FOB) | Transit to Turkey | Export Duty | Typical Grade Availability |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Georgia | $410–$470 | 2–4 days | 0% | 60/70, 85/100, PG 64-22 |
| Iran | $380–$430 | 3–5 days | 0% (but sanctions risk) | 60/70, 40/50 |
| Iraq | $395–$450 | 6–9 days | 0% | 40/50, 60/70 |
| Russia | $370–$420 | 2–3 days | 0% (sanctions risk) | 60/70, 90/130 |
| UAE (Fujairah) | $480–$540 | 12–18 days | 0% | 60/70, PG 76 |
| Singapore | $500–$560 | 20–28 days | 0% | 60/70, PG 64 |
Bottom line: Georgia is not always the cheapest per metric ton, but it wins on total landed cost when you factor demurrage, freight, and letter-of-credit friction. For Turkish buyers in Trabzon, Rize, and Hopa, a Poti-loaded truck can clear customs within 18–36 hours.
Bitumen Grades and Specifications Available in Georgia
Georgian exporters primarily trade penetration-grade bitumen and performance-grade (PG) asphalt binder. The most requested grades are 60/70 and 85/100 for road construction, plus PG 64-22 for warmer climates.
| Grade | Penetration (25°C, 0.1mm) | Softening Point (°C) | Viscosity (135°C, Pa·s) | Primary Use |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 40/50 | 40–50 | 52–58 | 0.35–0.45 | Heavy-duty highways, airports |
| 60/70 | 60–70 | 49–56 | 0.28–0.38 | Standard road paving |
| 85/100 | 85–100 | 45–52 | 0.20–0.30 | Cold climates, surface dressing |
| PG 64-22 | — | 64+ (high temp) | 0.25–0.40 | US-spec Superpave projects |
| Cutback MC-30 | — | — | — | Prime coats, cold mixing |
Verification checklist for Georgian suppliers:
- ASTM D5 penetration test report (per batch)
- ASTM D36 softening point certificate
- ASTM D92 flash point (minimum 230°C for safety compliance)
- ASTM D113 ductility at 25°C (minimum 100 cm)
- SGS or Bureau Veritas pre-shipment inspection report
- Certificate of Origin stamped by Georgian Chamber of Commerce
Georgian exporters typically provide third-party lab reports from SGS Batumi or Cotecna with each shipment. Always request the batch-specific COA, not a generic spec sheet — this is the single most common quality failure point in Black Sea bitumen trading.
Pricing Structure: What You Actually Pay
The FOB price is only one line item. Here is a realistic cost breakdown for 500 MT of 60/70 bitumen delivered to Turkey (Trabzon):
| Cost Component | Amount (USD) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| FOB Poti (500 MT @ $440) | $220,000 | Base product cost |
| Freight (Poti → Trabzon) | $18,000 | $36/MT, vessel or truck |
| Insurance (0.15% CIF) | $357 | Marine cargo policy |
| Customs clearance (Turkey) | $1,200 | Broker fees + duties |
| Port handling / THC | $4,500 | $9/MT at both ends |
| Demurrage buffer (2 days) | $3,000 | Contingency reserve |
| Total landed cost | $247,057 | $494/MT effective |
Payment and financing terms typical in Georgian trade:
- 30% advance / 70% against B/L copy — most common
- Irrevocable L/C at sight — preferred by larger buyers, adds 0.5–1.2% bank cost
- CAD (cash against documents) — used for repeat buyers with 6+ months history
- Escrow via Georgian banks (TBC, Bank of Georgia) — growing in popularity for first transactions
For a 25,000 MT bulk vessel chartered from Poti, per-metric-ton freight drops to $18–$26/MT to Mediterranean ports, which is where Georgia's cost advantage becomes substantial.
Logistics: Routes, Transit Times, and Vessel Options
Georgia's export logistics split into three channels: direct sea freight from Poti/Batumi, rail via BTK to Turkey, and truck via Sarpi border crossing.
| Route | Mode | Transit Time | Capacity per Shipment | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Poti → Trabzon | Truck/ferry | 2–4 days | 20–25 MT | Small projects |
| Poti → Constanța | Bulk vessel | 3–5 days | 3,000–25,000 MT | Large contracts |
| Poti → Varna | Bulk vessel | 2–4 days | 3,000–25,000 MT | Bulgarian buyers |
| Batumi → Odessa | Bulk vessel | 3–6 days | 3,000–15,000 MT | Ukrainian market |
| Tbilisi → Istanbul (BTK) | Rail tank | 5–8 days | 60 MT/wagon | Landlocked delivery |
| Poti → Fujairah | Bulk vessel | 14–18 days | 10,000–30,000 MT | Re-export hub |
Practical loading notes:
- ISO tank containers (24 MT net) load in 4–6 hours at Poti terminal
- Flexitanks (22–24 MT) require food-grade-certified liners and add $180–$250 per unit
- Bulk vessel loading rate at Poti: 800–1,200 MT/day with heated storage available
- Winter operations (Dec–Feb) can add 1–2 days due to Black Sea swell conditions
Georgian ports operate 24/7 during navigation season, but heated tank storage is limited to roughly 4,000 MT total capacity across Poti and Batumi — book storage slots 2–3 weeks ahead during Q2 and Q3 peak construction season.
Supplier Landscape and Due Diligence
Georgia has roughly 15–25 active bitumen exporters, but only 8–10 handle volumes above 5,000 MT/year with consistent documentation.
Tier 1 exporters (established, bankable, 10,000+ MT/year):
- Operate own or leased tank farms at Poti Free Industrial Zone
- Provide SGS inspection by default
- Accept L/C and offer 30–60 day credit to repeat buyers
Tier 2 traders (2,000–10,000 MT/year):
- Source from Tier 1 or directly from Baku refinery allocations
- Often require 50% advance payment
- Documentation quality varies — always verify
Due diligence checklist:
- Registration number with Georgian National Agency of Public Registry
- Tax clearance certificate from Revenue Service (valid within 30 days)
- Export license for petroleum products (Ministry of Economy)
- Bank reference letter from a Georgian or international bank
- Minimum 3 trade references with contactable buyers from the past 12 months
- Physical site visit to tank farm or a video walkthrough with date stamp
Red flags: prices more than 15% below market, refusal to allow pre-shipment inspection, requests for payment to personal accounts, and suppliers with registration dates under 12 months.
FAQ: Buying Bitumen From Georgia
Q1: What is the current price for 60/70 bitumen FOB Poti?
As of 2024–2025, 60/70 penetration grade bitumen ranges from $410 to $470 per metric ton FOB Poti, depending on volume, payment terms, and season. Bulk orders above 5,000 MT typically secure the lower end of this range, while spot orders under 500 MT pay a $20–$40/MT premium.
Q2: How long does shipping take from Georgia to Turkey?
Direct truck-ferry service from Poti to Trabzon takes 2–4 days, while bulk vessel shipments to Istanbul or Mersin run 4–7 days. Rail via the BTK corridor to Istanbul takes 5–8 days but avoids port congestion during peak season.
Q3: Is Georgian bitumen sanctioned or restricted?
Georgian-origin bitumen itself is not sanctioned, and Georgia maintains a 0% export duty. However, if the material originates from Iran or Russia, sanctions screening is required — always verify the certificate of origin and refinery source before payment.
Q4: What payment terms are standard for first-time buyers?
Most Georgian exporters require 30% advance payment and 70% against B/L copy for first transactions. Irrevocable letters of credit at sight are accepted by Tier 1 exporters and add roughly 0.5–1.2% in banking costs.
Q5: What is the minimum order quantity from Georgian suppliers?
Minimum orders range from 20 MT (one truckload or ISO tank) to 500 MT for Tier 1 exporters. For the best per-metric-ton pricing, consolidate to 5,000 MT or more and use bulk vessel charter from Poti.
Calculate Your Landed Cost With 6Tar
Before you commit to a Georgian supplier, run the numbers. Freight, demurrage, customs, and inspection fees can swing your effective cost by $40–$80 per metric ton — often more than the difference between competing suppliers.
Use the 6Tar cost calculator to model:
- FOB vs. CIF vs. DAP landed pricing
- Multi-route freight comparisons (Poti, Batumi, BTK rail)
- Payment term impact (L/C fees, advance cost of capital)
- Demurrage risk buffers by port and season
Enter your target volume, grade, and destination port — 6Tar returns a full landed-cost breakdown in under 60 seconds. Stop guessing at margins. Start sourcing with data.