What is the difference between Blast Furnace (BF) and Direct Reduction (DR) pellets into India?

Blast furnace pellets typically guarantee 65.0% Fe with allowable combined silica and alumina of 4.5% to 5.5% and basicity adjusted to the steelmaker's burden. Direct Reduction (DRI) pellets require 67.0% Fe minimum, combined silica and alumina below 3.0%, phosphorus below 0.03%, and a high Cold Crushing Strength (CCS > 275 kg/p) to withstand gas reduction without sticking or degradation in gas-based shaft furnaces.

What vessel sizes discharge iron ore pellets at Indian ports?

West coast ports such as Hazira and Jaigad commonly handle Geared Supramax and Ultramax parcels (50,000–60,000 MT), while East coast deep-draft terminals at Paradip and Gangavaram take full Capesize and Baby-Cape bulkers (120,000–180,000 MT) with discharge rates up to 30,000 MT per weather working day.

What import documents are required for Indian customs clearance?

Commercial invoice, clean on board ocean bills of lading, certificate of origin, packing list, certificate of weight and draft survey, and certificate of sampling and analysis from an accredited independent inspection agency (such as SGS, Intertek or Mitra S.K.) detailing Fe, moisture, granulometry and CCS.

Can CBIL fix the ocean shipping for Indian pellet parcels?

Yes. LaycanDesk, our chartering arm, fixes Supramax, Panamax and Capesize tonnage from Arabian Sea and Atlantic load ports to Indian east and west coast discharge ranges on Voyage or COA terms.

Indian Ocean · India

Iron Ore Pellet Suppliers CFR India (Paradip, Vizag and Hazira)

High-grade 65–67% Fe blast furnace and direct reduction pellets for Indian integrated mills and DRI producers

India's coastal steelmakers and merchant direct-reduced iron (DRI) producers declared over 1.78 million tonnes of iron ore pellet imports in 2025 under HS 2601.12, a dramatic increase from earlier baseline levels. Oman became the dominant supplier through coastal pelletising capacity at Sohar, shipping blast furnace and DRI grades across the Arabian Sea, with Sweden and Brazil supplying ultra-low silica DR pellets for electric arc furnace routes. Coastal mills in Odisha, Andhra Pradesh and Gujarat rely on waterborne pellets to blend with domestic lump ore, optimising blast furnace permeability, reducing slag rates and cutting coke consumption.

Discharge takes place at mechanized deep-water dry-bulk berths at Paradip, Visakhapatnam and Gangavaram on the east coast, and Hazira and Jaigad on the west coast, accommodating Supramax, Panamax and Capesize bulk carriers with high-rate grab unloaders. Under Indian customs regulations, iron ore pellets (HS 2601.12.10) clear under a nil basic customs duty (BCD). CBIL arranges spot and COA pellet shipments from verified producers in Oman, Northern Europe and the Americas, providing independent load-port inspection of chemical assay (Fe min 65.0% or 67.0%, SiO2 + Al2O3 max 3.5%, phosphorus max 0.05%), physical sizing (9–16 mm 90% min) and cold crushing strength (CCS min 250–280 kg/p).

Need the ship as well? Our chartering desk prices dry bulk panamax and capesize chartering on LaycanDesk.

The market in figures

India declared imports, 2025: Over 1.78 million tonnes under HS 2601.12
Primary supply origins: Oman (Sohar) · Sweden · Brazil · Canada
Standard grades: BF grade (65% Fe) · Direct Reduction DRI grade (67% Fe, low gangue)
Physical parameters: Cold Crushing Strength (CCS) ≥ 250 kg/p · 9–16 mm ≥ 90% · ISO Tumbler Index ≥ 94%
Discharge ports: Paradip · Visakhapatnam · Gangavaram · Hazira · Jaigad
Indian import duty: Nil Basic Customs Duty (BCD) on HS 2601.12; Agriculture Cess exempt

Landed values are the importing country's declared CIF, not CBIL prices.

Questions buyers ask

What is the difference between Blast Furnace (BF) and Direct Reduction (DR) pellets into India?: Blast furnace pellets typically guarantee 65.0% Fe with allowable combined silica and alumina of 4.5% to 5.5% and basicity adjusted to the steelmaker's burden. Direct Reduction (DRI) pellets require 67.0% Fe minimum, combined silica and alumina below 3.0%, phosphorus below 0.03%, and a high Cold Crushing Strength (CCS > 275 kg/p) to withstand gas reduction without sticking or degradation in gas-based shaft furnaces.
What vessel sizes discharge iron ore pellets at Indian ports?: West coast ports such as Hazira and Jaigad commonly handle Geared Supramax and Ultramax parcels (50,000–60,000 MT), while East coast deep-draft terminals at Paradip and Gangavaram take full Capesize and Baby-Cape bulkers (120,000–180,000 MT) with discharge rates up to 30,000 MT per weather working day.
What import documents are required for Indian customs clearance?: Commercial invoice, clean on board ocean bills of lading, certificate of origin, packing list, certificate of weight and draft survey, and certificate of sampling and analysis from an accredited independent inspection agency (such as SGS, Intertek or Mitra S.K.) detailing Fe, moisture, granulometry and CCS.
Can CBIL fix the ocean shipping for Indian pellet parcels?: Yes. LaycanDesk, our chartering arm, fixes Supramax, Panamax and Capesize tonnage from Arabian Sea and Atlantic load ports to Indian east and west coast discharge ranges on Voyage or COA terms.