New importers of SDIC/TCCA get quotes that vary wildly — one supplier says US$1.05, another says US$1.60 for what looks like the same product. This guide explains what drives the price, what MOQ makes sense, and which packaging saves you real money.
1. The 2026 Price Anatomy
A typical FOB Tianjin quote for SDIC 60% Powder is composed as follows:
| Cost Component | Share | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Raw material (cyanuric acid + NaOH + Cl2) | 52% | Volatile — fluctuates with propane prices |
| Production energy | 13% | Higher in winter |
| Packaging (drum + label + carton) | 11% | Big lever — see section 3 |
| Factory margin | 10% | Where you negotiate |
| Domestic freight + port handling | 7% | Fixed by geography |
| QC + COA + insurance | 4% | Non-negotiable if you want quality |
| Trading company margin | 3% | Skip if you buy factory-direct |
2. MOQ Reality Check
Different suppliers quote different MOQs based on their production line size. Here is the honest breakdown for 2026:
| Order Size | Realistic Price Range (FOB) | Typical Buyer |
|---|---|---|
| 500 kg (LCL) | US$1.60-1.85/kg | Trial order, small pool company |
| 1,000 kg (1 ton) | US$1.40-1.65/kg | First real order, MOQ standard |
| 5,000 kg | US$1.25-1.50/kg | Established distributor |
| 25,000 kg (1×20’FCL) | US$1.05-1.30/kg | Wholesale, national brand |
| 100,000+ kg | US$0.95-1.15/kg | Government tender, multi-national |
3. Packaging Options — The Hidden Money Lever
Packaging is the #1 negotiable variable. Here are the standard options:
- 25 kg HDPE drum — standard, US$3.20 each empty. Best for storage life.
- 50 kg HDPE drum — saves ~US$1.50 per 100 kg. Requires warehouse forklift.
- 1000 kg jumbo bag — saves US$8-12 per ton. Requires immediate repackaging.
- 25 kg cardboard drum — saves US$0.80 per drum. Not suitable for humid climates.
- 200 g tablet + 25 kg drum — retail-ready for pool shops. +US$0.15/kg.
- 20 g tablet + PE bottle — for retail resale. +US$0.35/kg.
- Custom OEM label on drum — MOQ 5 tons per SKU. +US$0.05/kg.
- Custom OEM full print + bottle + carton — MOQ 10 tons per SKU. +US$0.18/kg.
4. Payment Terms Comparison
- 30% T/T deposit + 70% against B/L copy — most common, works for orders 1t-25t
- 100% T/T in advance — small orders (< 1t) or first-time buyers; usually gets -2% discount
- Irrevocable L/C at sight — for orders > 25t or L/C-only markets (Africa, some LATAM)
- Alibaba Trade Assurance — for orders < US$5,000; +1-2% platform fee
- D/P or D/A — refused by most Chinese suppliers for chemicals
5. Red Flags in Quotes
- Quote below US$0.90/kg FOB — likely counterfeit or heavily diluted product
- Quote without specifying available chlorine % — could be < 55%
- Quote without packaging spec — could arrive in used drums
- “COA available” but no batch number — generic template, not real batch
- Supplier refuses SGS pre-shipment inspection — hiding quality issue
Get an Honest Quote in 12 Hours
Shilan Chemical publishes weekly benchmark prices and provides itemized quotes with COA + packaging spec upfront. No hidden fees, no bait-and-switch. Request your quote →