Is the freight higher than the goods value? A hardcore review of winning a super duplex stainless steel fastener order in Casablanca, Morocco
Quick Overview
Client region: North Africa, Morocco (Casablanca)
Purchased products: Super duplex stainless steel fasteners (UNS S32750 / EN 1.4410), including threaded rods, hex nuts, and flat washers
Product application: Pipeline connection
Key technical indicators: PREN > 40, EN 10204 3.1 MTC
Logistics solution: Urgent air freight to Casablanca Airport
Final trade term: CPT (Carriage Paid To)
Purchased products: Super duplex stainless steel fasteners (UNS S32750 / EN 1.4410), including threaded rods, hex nuts, and flat washers
Product application: Pipeline connection
Key technical indicators: PREN > 40, EN 10204 3.1 MTC
Logistics solution: Urgent air freight to Casablanca Airport
Final trade term: CPT (Carriage Paid To)
This is a real order that started in late April and entered the production schedule in mid-May.
The client is from North Africa, and the end project is for pipeline connections.
They required the material to be UNS S32750 super duplex stainless steel with PREN > 40, and an EN 10204 3.1 MTC to be provided.
Due to the urgent project delivery schedule, the client ultimately chose air freight to Casablanca Airport.
The entire communication process was not easy, involving air freight quotations, explanations of MTC parameters,
clarification of DDU/DAP/CFR/CIF/CPT trade terms, increases in raw material and air freight costs,
as well as the client's verification of our company's qualifications.
Product type and name: Super duplex stainless steel threaded rods, nuts, and washers (UNS S32750)
|
DESIGNATION
|
SIZE
|
QIT
|
UM
|
|
Threaded Rod M24*500 - Super Duplex Stainless Steel UNS S32750 （EN 1.4410)
|
M24
|
110
|
PCS
|
|
Hex Nut M24 - Super Duplex Stainless Steel UNS S32750 (EN 1.4410) ISO 4032 - PREN 2 40
|
M24
|
300
|
PCS
|
|
Flat Washer M24-UNS S32750-ISO 7089 -PREN ≥40
|
M24
|
300
|
PCS
|
Part I. Urgent Inquiry: A Pipeline Connection Project in Morocco, North Africa
On April 29, the client sent an inquiry via WhatsApp, asking if we could manufacture the products, emphasizing the need for a good delivery time.
We replied that it was no problem and asked if this was a firm order. The client said it was still in the negotiation phase.
└Moroccan client inquiry for UNS S32750 threaded rods, hex nuts, and washers with short lead time.
|
No
|
Product Description
|
SIZE
|
Qty
|
Unit Price
(USD) |
Total Price
(USD) |
|
1
|
Threaded Rod M24x500mm-SuperDuplexStainlessSteelUNSS32750（EN1.4410) tensile strength ≥800
|
M24
|
110
|
19.87
|
2,185.70
|
|
2
|
Threaded Rod M24x500mm-SuperDuplexStainlessSteelUNSS32750（EN1.4410) tensile strength ≥760
|
M24
|
110
|
19.11
|
2,102.10
|
|
3
|
Hex Nut M24 - Super Duplex Stainless Steel UNS S32750 (EN 1.4410) ISO 4032 - PREN 2 40
|
M24
|
300
|
2.76
|
828.00
|
|
4
|
Flat Washer M24-UNS S32750-ISO 7089 -PREN ≥40
|
M24
|
300
|
1.02
|
306.00
|
|
Total
|
Ex-work
|
5,421.80
|
On April 30, I sent the quotation to her email.
└We quickly reviewed the Moroccan inquiry and sent the UNS S32750 fastener quote the next day.
Part II. Crazy Freight Cost: Shocking Direct Air Freight Quotation
The client proposed shipping by air.
We were initially surprised because air freight costs are usually very high.
The client gave the destination: Casablanca Airport.
└After reviewing the quote, the Moroccan client requested air freight re-quote to shorten lead time.
After checking, we provided a direct air freight quotation: USD 2,070, and told the client that this price was crazy,
but direct flights are usually very fast.
└After checking, the air freight for these UNS S32750 fasteners to Morocco is USD 2,070.
Me: "The price is very crazy. Gimme some time" (The price is very crazy, wait for me a moment)
Me: "By air: 2070 usd. really crazy" (Air freight costs 2070 USD, really crazy)
Client: "hahaha it's not me the client" (Hahaha, it's not me, the client, paying)
Me: "By air: 2070 usd. really crazy" (Air freight costs 2070 USD, really crazy)
Client: "hahaha it's not me the client" (Hahaha, it's not me, the client, paying)
Although the freight was high, direct flights usually guarantee extremely fast delivery times, meeting the urgent needs of their end project.
Part III. Hardcore Technical Aspect: UNS S32750 and MTC Verification of PREN > 40
After receiving the PO, the client requested us to confirm the quotation and include the air freight cost.
The client also explicitly stated that all components must be made of super duplex stainless steel UNS S32750, PREN > 40,
and an EN 10204 3.1 material certificate needed to be provided.
These components will be used to connect the pipeline system from the tunnel to the tower,
so the client needed to confirm if we could meet the specifications and provide the corresponding MTC for their validation.
└Moroccan client requires super duplex stainless steel, PREN>40, and MTC certificate after receiving PO.
I replied to these related questions via email and sent the PI as well as the raw material report.
└We confirmed the details by email and sent the PI and MTC raw material report.
Part IV. Delivery Schedule Game and Raw Material Price Increase Crisis
On May 4, the client said they received our email. The client hoped the production time could be less than 35 days.
We explained that the production lead time quoted was quite conservative,
and production would be arranged immediately upon receipt of the advance payment.
Usually, the actual completion time would be earlier than the quoted time. The client expressed understanding.
└After receiving documents, Moroccan client requested production under 35 days, finally agreed.
A week passed, and we still hadn't received the client's deposit.
We informed the client that our purchasing department notified us that the raw material price for UNS S32750 had increased by 6%,
and we hoped the client would arrange payment as soon as possible.
The client replied that they had already issued the PO based on our submitted quotation and confirmed conditions,
so they expected the order to proceed under the original terms, and raw material price fluctuations should not affect a confirmed order.
└A week later, no deposit received; raw material price rose 6%, client insisted on the original quote.
Regarding payment, the client said that bank transfers take time and they were processing it as quickly as possible.
We replied that we also didn't want to raise prices,
but recently the prices of stainless steel and duplex steel raw materials had risen sharply.
Only by paying as soon as possible could the original price be maintained.
We asked the client how much longer it would take, but the client did not give a clear answer.
└Stainless and duplex steel prices surged; fast payment keeps the old price, but the client didn't reply.
On May 13, the client urged for the MTC. We sent pictures, but the client required a formal, correct,
and stamped MTC to send to the end client, specifically requesting it to state "Material UNS S32750 with PREN > 40".
We sent the PDF and explained that PREN >40.
└Moroccan client urged us to send the MTC report and requested “Material UNS S32750 with PREN > 40”.
The client still said they needed the real MTC.
We explained that the previous one was the certificate for a shipment two months ago.
└Moroccan client requested a super duplex MTC; we sent the certificate from the previous shipment.
Part V. Ultimate Showdown of Trade Terms: How to Choose Between CIF, CFR, and CPT in Air Freight Scenarios?
At this stage, the client also requested to change DDU to DDP or DAP and hoped for a video tour of the factory.
We had a video call with the client, and the client expressed gratitude.
└Moroccan client requested changing the UNS S32750 fastener order from DDU to DDP or DAP.
Afterwards, we continued to confirm the trade terms.
We asked the client if they had a customs clearance agent, and they said yes.
We confirmed: We are responsible for delivering the goods to Casablanca Airport,
and the client is responsible for unloading, customs clearance, and airport pickup.
The client insisted on CFR, not CIF.
└We negotiated customs clearance for UNS S32750 fasteners; Moroccan client wanted CFR, not CIF.
We explained that CIF includes insurance, while CFR does not, and CFR is usually used for sea freight, not applicable to air freight.
Later, we confirmed that air freight to the airport with the client handling customs clearance and pickup is actually CPT.
└We confirmed: air freight to the airport with Moroccan client clearing customs and picking up is CPT.
To prevent the client from misunderstanding,
I will also clarify here for my foreign trade peers the essential differences between these three terms in air freight scenarios:
CIF (Cost, Insurance and Freight)
Applicability to air freight: Extremely low. Traditionally used for sea freight.
Although some people now write "CIF by air", in the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) Incoterms,
it is more oriented toward waterway transport.
Features: The seller is responsible for freight and must purchase minimum maritime insurance for the goods (air freight insurance clauses differ from sea freight).
CFR (Cost and Freight)
Applicability to air freight: Also mainly aimed at sea freight.
Applicability to air freight: Also mainly aimed at sea freight.
Features: The seller pays the freight and does not include insurance.
The client initially requested CFR, which meant we could not reasonably pass on the insurance costs,
and there are slight differences in the risk transfer after the flight takes off between sea and air freight.
CPT (Carriage Paid To)
Applicability to air freight: The most standard and best-matching term for air freight.
Applicability to air freight: The most standard and best-matching term for air freight.
Features: The seller pays the freight to transport the goods to the designated destination (such as Casablanca Airport).
The risk transfers when the goods are handed over to the first carrier (freight forwarder/airline).
The buyer is responsible for customs clearance, unloading, and pickup.
After patient explanation, the client finally replied "GO AHEAD WITH THAT TERM".
However, at this time, the client found that the new air freight cost was higher than the first PO
and stated that they could not add the extra costs to their end client.
We explained that infrastructure and fuel surcharges had already increased, prices fluctuate,
and raw materials had also risen by 4%.
If payment was delayed, we could not bear the costs,
and our profit was very thin. We hoped the client would understand.
└Moroccan client negotiated air freight and goods price for UNS S32750 fasteners; finally agreed.
The client said to give her a moment and created a group chat,
adding her boss and finance manager to facilitate information sharing and push the order forward.
└To speed up payment, the Moroccan client added the boss and finance manager to the group chat.
Part VI. Self-Verification of Qualifications: The Company Name Change Incident and Video Factory Inspection
On May 14, the client sent the final PO and said the finance manager would send me the bank slip.
└Moroccan client transferred the UNS S32750 fastener deposit and sent us the bank slip.
Afterwards, the client found that the company name on the certificate was inconsistent with the PI and raised a question.
└Moroccan client found a company name mismatch between certificate and PI; misunderstanding resolved.
The client was confused: "Xiamen Qiliixin Import & Export Co., Ltd. and XIAMEN QISHINE Industry CO., LTD. seem not to be the same company."
Facing the question, we explained that the company updated its name last year. It was formerly Xiamen Qishine Imp. & Exp. Co., Ltd.
and is now Xiamen Qishine Industry Co., Ltd.
We provided our business license, supporting documents, bank slip,
and also sent photos of European clients visiting to prove that we are a real and legitimate company, asking the client to rest assured.
└We provided business license, bank slip, and visitor photos to finally resolve the Moroccan client's doubts.
Part VII. Production Follow-up and Smooth Pickup
On May 15, the client said that Zineb had transferred the money to the bank yesterday.
We replied that production would start after receiving the advance payment.
└Moroccan client sent payment; after receiving the UNS S32750 fastener deposit, we arranged production.
Over the following month, we successively updated the client on milestones such as "semi-finished nuts and washers,
arrival of raw materials for threaded rods, threaded rods put into production", etc.,
and asked in advance about the scope of third-party inspection to prepare for subsequent shipment and inspection.
└We updated milestones: semi-finished nuts/washers, raw materials arrival, and threaded rod production.
On June 23, after the goods were produced, I sent product detail pictures, PMI testing photos, and material reports to the client for confirmation.
└After production, we inspected the appearance and material of the UNS S32750 fasteners.
The client was very satisfied after receiving them and arranged the balance payment.
└Moroccan client was satisfied after receiving the test report and paid the UNS S32750 fastener balance.
After receiving the payment, I sent the client packaging photos and shipping mark pictures, and booked a Shanghai Airlines flight.
└After balance payment, I sent the Moroccan client packing photos and shipping mark images of fasteners.
Shortly after, the client successfully picked up the goods. Both parties were satisfied with this cooperation and expressed their willingness to continue working together.
└Moroccan client received the UNS S32750 fasteners, was satisfied, and willing to continue cooperation.
FAQ
Do you accept custom labeling and other customized services?
Yes. We accept custom labeling and other customization requests: the label content, the packaging and the marking are made to the customer's requirement. Send us the artwork or the wording you need, and we confirm it in the PI before production starts.
How small can a first order be if I only need a trial batch?
This project started from 110 threaded rods, 300 hex nuts and 300 flat washers, not a container load. Because the parts are made from super duplex steel, the minimum depends on the size and the mill batch, so we confirm the exact quantity per drawing before quoting.
What is the lead time - do you ship from stock or produce to order?
Standard sizes we hold in stock ship in about 7 days. Custom parts take longer: for this Morocco order the production lead time was 35 days, because the threaded rods are machined from UNS S32750 bar and the material batch has to be booked first.
How can I verify that this Moroccan fastener order is real?
Two independent records: the customs declaration number 223320260001224815 and the bill of lading number 112-08659906. You can check them against the shipping documents, and cross-check the MTC, PI, bank slip and packing photos published in this article.
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