Rice export and logistics: FOB, CFR and CIF shipping from Thailand
We ship bulk rice in full container loads from Laem Chabang and Bangkok to importers worldwide, with complete export documents, pre-shipment inspection and clear Incoterms 2020 trade terms.
Do you ship FOB or CIF to my port?
Yes. Siam Valley Grain Export ships rice on FOB, CFR and CIF terms under Incoterms 2020. We quote FOB Laem Chabang or FOB Bangkok for buyers who arrange their own freight, and CFR or CIF to your named destination port for buyers who want us to book shipping. We export to any country with a commercial seaport.
Last updated: 28 September 2026.
Export logistics at a glance
| Export ports | Laem Chabang and Bangkok Port (Khlong Toei), Thailand |
|---|---|
| Trade terms | FOB, CFR and CIF (Incoterms 2020) |
| Shipping | Full container loads (FCL), 20ft and 40ft |
| Supply | Bulk commercial quantities, up to thousands of tons |
| Order terms | Agreed with each buyer, using internationally recognised, secure payment methods |
| Inspection | SGS, Intertek, Bureau Veritas or buyer's surveyor |
| Documents | Invoice, packing list, B/L, certificate of origin, phytosanitary and fumigation certificates |
| Destinations | Any country with a commercial seaport |
FOB, CFR and CIF rice shipping explained
Incoterms are the international trade terms published by the International Chamber of Commerce. They decide who books the ship, who pays the freight, who buys insurance and where risk passes from seller to buyer.
| FOB (Free On Board) | CFR (Cost and Freight) | CIF (Cost, Insurance and Freight) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thai export clearance | Siam Valley Grain | Siam Valley Grain | Siam Valley Grain |
| Loading on board in Thailand | Siam Valley Grain | Siam Valley Grain | Siam Valley Grain |
| Books and pays ocean freight | Buyer | Siam Valley Grain | Siam Valley Grain |
| Marine insurance | Buyer (optional) | Buyer (optional) | Siam Valley Grain, minimum Institute Cargo Clauses (C), usually 110% of contract value |
| Risk passes to buyer | When loaded on board in Thailand | When loaded on board in Thailand | When loaded on board in Thailand |
| Import clearance and duties | Buyer | Buyer | Buyer |
| Best for | Buyers with their own freight contracts or forwarder | Buyers who arrange their own insurance | Buyers who want freight and basic insurance arranged |
Important: under all three terms, risk passes when the rice is on board the vessel at the Thai port. Under CIF, the minimum insurance covers major events such as sinking, fire and collision; many buyers ask for broader all-risks cover under Institute Cargo Clauses (A), which we can arrange on request.
Our export ports: Laem Chabang and Bangkok
Our office in Bang Phli, Samut Prakan, sits between Thailand's two main container ports. We choose the port for each shipment based on your destination, vessel schedules and freight cost.
Laem Chabang (THLCH)
Thailand's largest deep-sea port, on the Gulf of Thailand about 130 km southeast of Bangkok. Operated by the Port Authority of Thailand, it handles around 8.7 million TEU a year and large ocean-going container ships. Most of our long-haul shipments to Africa, the Middle East, Europe and the Americas load here, because it has the widest choice of direct mainline services.
Bangkok Port, Khlong Toei (THBKK)
A river port on the Chao Phraya River in central Bangkok, also operated by the Port Authority of Thailand. Its container terminals take smaller vessels, with a maximum draught of about 8.2 metres, so it mainly serves feeder and regional routes. It is often a practical choice for shipments to Asian destinations.
Full container load (FCL) rice shipping
Rice is heavy, so a container fills up by weight long before it runs out of space. A 40ft container therefore carries only a little more rice than a 20ft.
| Packing | 20ft container | 40ft container |
|---|---|---|
| 50 kg bags | About 25 MT (500 bags) | About 25 to 27 MT |
| 25 kg bags | About 25 MT (1,000 bags) | About 25 to 27 MT |
| 5 and 10 kg bags | About 22 to 25 MT | About 25 MT |
| 1 and 2 kg retail packs | About 18 to 22 MT | About 22 to 25 MT |
25 MT is about 55,000 lbs. Exact loads depend on bag type, the shipping line's weight limit and road weight rules at destination, and are confirmed in each quotation.
How we protect rice in the container
Container inspection
Each container is checked to be clean, dry, odour-free and undamaged before loading.
Moisture control
Kraft paper lining and desiccants reduce condensation damage during the voyage, as required.
Careful stowage
Bags are stacked evenly and firmly so they do not shift or tear at sea.
Fumigation and sealing
The loaded container is fumigated, sealed, and the seal number recorded on the documents.
The rice export process, step by step
What happens between signing the contract and your rice arriving at port.
Contract and proforma invoice
We agree the product, specification, quantity, packing, price, Incoterm, port, commercial terms and latest shipment date.
Milling, sorting and packing
Your rice is milled, colour sorted and packed in your chosen bags and labels.
Pre-shipment inspection
An independent surveyor samples the lot for quality and weight, and samples are retained.
Loading, fumigation and export clearance
Containers are loaded, fumigated, sealed and cleared through Thai customs.
Shipping documents
We send the bill of lading and certificates to your bank or directly to you, as the contract requires.
Arrival and import clearance
You or your broker clear the rice through customs at the destination port.
Export documents for Thai rice
Every shipment comes with the documents banks and customs authorities expect. The exact set depends on your country, the product and your contract.
| Document | Issued by | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Commercial invoice | Siam Valley Grain | Product, quantity, price and trade terms for customs clearance |
| Packing list | Siam Valley Grain | Number of bags, net and gross weight, container and seal numbers |
| Bill of lading | Shipping line | Proof of shipment and title to the goods |
| Certificate of origin | Department of Foreign Trade, Ministry of Commerce, Thailand | Confirms Thai origin; FTA forms such as Form D (ASEAN) or Form E (ASEAN-China) can reduce import duty where applicable |
| Phytosanitary certificate | Department of Agriculture, Thailand | Confirms the rice meets plant health requirements of the importing country |
| Fumigation certificate | Licensed fumigation company | Confirms pest-control treatment of the loaded container |
| Certificate of quality and weight | Independent surveyor (e.g. SGS, Intertek, Bureau Veritas) | Confirms the shipped rice matches the contract specification and weight |
| Thai Hom Mali standard certificate | Department of Foreign Trade | For Thai Hom Mali rice, confirms it meets the official Hom Mali export standard |
| Insurance certificate | Insurance company | For CIF shipments, proof of marine cargo insurance |
| Other certificates | Various | Health, non-GMO, organic or other certificates when your market or buyer requires them |
For rice exports to the EU and UK, Thailand's Department of Foreign Trade issues an export certificate where required for import licensing. Tell us your destination and we will confirm the full document list before you sign.
Inspection and quality control
Independent inspection gives you documented proof of quality and weight before your rice leaves Thailand.
Flexible, secure terms. Order quantities and payment terms are agreed with each buyer. We work with internationally recognised, secure payment methods and independent pre-shipment inspection.
- Pre-shipment inspection by SGS, Intertek, Bureau Veritas or a surveyor you appoint
- Sampling and testing for broken kernels, moisture, purity and grain length
- Weight and bag count checks, with loading supervision on request
- Sealed samples retained from each lot
- Certificate of quality and weight issued for your bank and customs
Indicative ocean transit times from Thailand
Typical port-to-port sailing times from Laem Chabang. Actual times depend on the shipping line, transshipment ports and season, and are confirmed with the booking.
| Destination region | Example ports | Indicative transit |
|---|---|---|
| Southeast and East Asia | Singapore, Hong Kong, Manila | About 3 to 12 days |
| Middle East | Jebel Ali, Dammam, Sohar | About 15 to 25 days |
| North America, West Coast | Los Angeles, Long Beach, Oakland | About 20 to 30 days |
| Europe | Rotterdam, Hamburg, Felixstowe | About 30 to 40 days |
| West and Central Africa | Lagos (Apapa), Tema, Abidjan, Dakar, Douala | About 35 to 55 days |
| East and Southern Africa | Mombasa, Durban, Maputo | About 20 to 35 days |
Import requirements in your market
Import clearance is the buyer's responsibility under FOB, CFR and CIF, but we prepare our documents to match your country's rules. Common requirements include:
- United StatesThe FDA requires prior notice before each food shipment arrives, and the foreign food facility must be registered with the FDA. Our US FDA registration supports this.
- European Union and United KingdomRice must meet EU or UK food safety rules, including pesticide residue limits, and some rice imports need an export certificate from Thailand for import licensing.
- West and Central AfricaImporters usually need local import permits and registrations; we supply phytosanitary, fumigation, origin and inspection certificates for customs.
- Middle EastFood import registration, labelling and health certificates vary by country; we align packing and documents with your requirements.
Rules change and differ by product. Always confirm current requirements with your customs broker or import authority before ordering.
Rice export and shipping questions
Have a question about your route or documents? Contact our export team.
Do you ship rice FOB or CIF to my port?
Yes. We ship on FOB, CFR and CIF terms. For FOB, we deliver the rice loaded on board the vessel at Bangkok or Laem Chabang and you book the freight. For CFR or CIF, we book and pay the ocean freight to your named destination port, and for CIF we also arrange marine insurance.
Which version of Incoterms do you use?
Our contracts and quotations use Incoterms 2020, published by the International Chamber of Commerce. The named port is always stated with the term, for example FOB Laem Chabang or CIF Lagos (Apapa).
Where does risk pass to the buyer under FOB and CIF?
Under Incoterms 2020, risk passes to the buyer when the rice is loaded on board the vessel at the Thai port of shipment. This is the same for FOB, CFR and CIF. Under CFR and CIF, we pay the freight, but the cargo is at the buyer's risk during the ocean voyage.
What insurance is included in a CIF rice price?
Under Incoterms 2020, CIF requires the seller to provide minimum cover under Institute Cargo Clauses (C), usually for 110% of the contract value. Clauses (C) covers major events such as sinking, fire and collision. Broader all-risks cover under Clauses (A) can be arranged on request.
Can I use my own freight forwarder?
Yes. Choose FOB terms and nominate your forwarder or shipping line. We deliver the rice to the vessel at the agreed Thai port, complete Thai export clearance and send the documents your forwarder needs.
How long does it take from contract to loading?
After the contract is confirmed, milling, packing, inspection and loading usually take a few weeks, depending on the product, packing, quantity and vessel schedule. The latest shipment date is stated in every contract.
How are order quantities and payment terms agreed?
Order quantities and payment terms are agreed with each buyer. We work with internationally recognised, secure payment methods and independent pre-shipment inspection. Tell us your requirements, and our export team will propose terms that suit your order size and delivery schedule.
Who handles import customs clearance and duties?
Under FOB, CFR and CIF, the buyer handles import clearance, duties, taxes and any import permits in the destination country. We provide the export documents, certificates and inspection reports that your customs broker needs.
Get an FOB or CIF price for your port
Tell us what rice you need, the quantity required, and your destination port. Our export team will respond with the relevant information and quotation.