Buy Namibian charcoal from verified exporters
Namibia is one of the world's five largest charcoal exporters, about 270,000 tonnes a year of dense hardwood lump made from encroacher bush. We register Namibia's exporters, so we know which ones hold their forestry and export permits, and we source for importers at 4% of the FOB value.
What Namibia supplies
| Availability | Year-round. Production slows in the rainy season (January to March); contract volumes for the Northern spring by October |
|---|---|
| Volumes | About 270,000 tonnes a year nationally; individual exporters ship from one to several containers a month |
| Grades | Restaurant-grade large lump, standard barbecue lump, retail-bagged lump; briquettes from a few producers |
| Minimum order | One 40-foot container: about 20 to 24 tonnes in bulk bags or 18 to 20 tonnes in retail bags |
| Packaging | 1-tonne bulk bags, or printed retail bags of 2.5, 3, 5 and 10 kg on pallets |
| Ports and terms | FOB Walvis Bay is standard; CFR or CIF Rotterdam, Antwerp, Hamburg, Piraeus and other ports on request |
| Lead time | Two to six weeks from contract to loading, depending on grade, bagging and certification |
| Certification | FSC chain of custody available from certified producers; laboratory reports for fixed carbon, ash and moisture to EN 1860-2 |
How the price is formed
Price is quoted per tonne FOB Walvis Bay and depends on grade, moisture, fines, packaging and FSC status. Retail bagging in Namibia raises the price per tonne and lowers the tonnes per container, but removes a re-packing step at destination. Namibian charcoal enters the EU and UK duty-free with a EUR.1. We share current indicative prices with each enquiry rather than publishing figures that date.
What we verify before you pay
- Company and exporter registration with a customs code on a previous export declaration
- Forestry harvesting and transport permits behind the batch
- FSC certificate code checked in the FSC database on the day of contract
- A previous shipment's bill of lading, laboratory report and EUR.1
- A loading inspection of the first container: bag weights, moisture readings, seals
How sourcing through Chrimson works
Send the specification, volume, Incoterm and timing. We match verified Namibian suppliers, share documented offers, and run the export paperwork for every consignment. Our fee is 4% of the FOB shipment value, invoiced when the export documents are handed over. Send a buyer enquiry.
Frequently asked questions
Can I buy Namibian charcoal with FSC certification?
Yes. A number of Namibian producers and exporters hold FSC certification for encroacher bush charcoal. We verify the certificate code in the FSC database before you sign and make sure it appears on the invoice and the shipping documents.
What is the minimum order?
One 40-foot container, about 20 to 24 tonnes in bulk bags or 18 to 20 tonnes in retail bags. Some exporters will combine grades in one container for a first order.
Is Namibian charcoal duty-free into Europe and the UK?
Yes, under the SADC-EU and SACUM-UK Economic Partnership Agreements, with a EUR.1 or origin declaration issued for each consignment. Import VAT applies at destination.
Why buy through Chrimson rather than direct?
You can buy direct. We add verification of the exporter's permits and paperwork before you pay, a supplier who is matched to your specification, and complete export documents for every consignment. Our fee is 4% of the FOB value, invoiced when the documents are handed over, with no retainer or exclusivity.
How do payments usually work?
First orders are commonly a deposit on contract with the balance against shipping documents, or an irrevocable letter of credit. Established programmes move to open account with credit insurance.