TDI 80/20 Drum Price & ISO Tank Shipping to Karachi Port: 2026 Buying Guide

Importers across Pakistan use TDI 80/20 (toluene diisocyanate, 80:20 isomer blend) as a core raw material for flexible polyurethane foam — furniture, mattresses, automotive seating and packaging foam. Because TDI is a regulated dangerous good and its price moves with crude oil, freight and supply, the questions we receive most often are about drum price, CIF Karachi cost, MOQ and how the shipment physically reaches Karachi Port or Port Qasim. This guide answers those questions in plain terms and shows how a quotation is actually assembled. Every price and time figure here is indicative only and must be confirmed for your specific order.

2. TDI 80/20 Specifications and Packaging: Drum vs ISO Tank

TDI 80/20 is a clear to pale-yellow liquid with a distinctive odour. The table below summarises the key specification parameters buyers usually check against a COA, followed by a comparison of the two main packaging routes. Typical values vary slightly by producer and batch, so always verify against the supplier's current TDS and COA.

Drum vs ISO tank: cost profile and suitable volumes

As a rule of thumb, smaller or first-time orders usually move better in drums so the material can be distributed and assessed, while repeat bulk buyers typically find an ISO tank gives a lower landed cost per ton. TDI is not authorised in general-purpose T11 tanks, so always confirm the tank instruction on the approval plate. Details on the product itself are on the TDI 80/20 product page.

3. How TDI 80/20 Prices Are Built — What a CIF Karachi Quote Includes

It is normal to see different TDI 80/20 numbers from different suppliers, and it is common for a buyer to be quoted a single fixed "drum price" that later changes. That happens because a real quotation is built from several moving parts. Rather than trusting one flat figure, it helps to understand the components:

• Order quantity and packaging: drum, IBC and ISO tank orders carry different unit economics; larger volumes spread fixed costs.
• Trade term and destination: FOB Ningbo puts freight and insurance on the buyer; CIF Karachi bundles them into one figure up to the named port.
• Freight market and dangerous goods surcharge: TDI as UN 2078 requires DG booking, which generally carries additional handling and documentation cost.
• Bunker/Fuel Adjustment Factor and currency: ocean carriers adjust fuel surcharges periodically, and exchange rates move.
• Marine insurance: covered as part of a CIF quote where the term applies.
• Origin and destination charges: terminal handling, documentation and, depending on the term, destination port charges.
• Timing: crude oil, toluene and global isocyanate supply-demand all influence the base product price month to month.

Because of this, any responsible supplier will quote against a defined scope — product, quantity, packaging, trade term, port and validity period. A quotation without that scope is not comparable. Treat all price indications here as indicative only, subject to confirmation at the time of order.

4. Ocean Freight and Dangerous Goods Rules for TDI to Pakistan

TDI 80/20 is regulated for sea transport and cannot simply be booked as general cargo. The key facts a buyer should know before requesting a sailing:

• Classification: UN 2078, Proper Shipping Name "Toluene diisocyanate", Class 6.1 (toxic substances), Packing Group II under the IMDG Code.
• Packaging: UN-approved steel drums (1A1) or IBCs for their stated packings, or a T14 portable tank for bulk. Flexitanks are not permitted for dangerous goods such as TDI.
• Booking: dangerous goods require a dedicated DG booking with earlier cut-off, a carrier-approved DG declaration and often limited DG slots per vessel.
• Segregation and stowage: the IMDG Code requires TDI to be segregated from foodstuffs and incompatible materials; stowage position on board is assigned accordingly.
• CTU Code: the Code of Practice for Packing of Cargo Transport Units sets out requirements for securing, lashing and documenting the container load.

For the broader regulatory picture across products, see our dangerous goods shipping guide, which covers UN numbers, IMDG classes, ISO tank types and freight documentation for polyurethane raw materials.

5. Ports, Customs and Import Documentation for Karachi

Most TDI shipments into Pakistan are discharged at Karachi Port (KICT/PICT terminals) or Port Qasim. Which port is used typically depends on the shipping line, the consignee's preferred terminal and the customs broker's arrangements. The importer or their appointed broker is responsible for clearance, duty and any applicable conformity or standards requirements; standard industry practice is to confirm the exact requirements with a licensed customs broker before shipment.

A typical documentation pack for a TDI 80/20 shipment includes:

• SDS/MSDS — current version, with Section 14 showing the transport classification (UN 2078)
• COA (Certificate of Analysis) — batch-specific, matching the shipped material
• Dangerous goods declaration — signed shipper's declaration per IMDG
• UN packaging / tank certificates — drum, IBC or T14 tank approval marks
• Commercial invoice and packing list
• Bill of lading
• Certificate of origin — where required for preferential or regulatory purposes

Importers should also verify any standards or conformity requirements that apply to their own downstream product, and hold the appropriate importer credentials. Clearance outcomes depend on the documents presented, the goods and the authorities involved, so plan for documentation review time when scheduling production. Our team can provide the technical documents that form your pack when you request a quotation.

6. Sourcing and Qualifying Your TDI 80/20 Supplier

Beyond price, the reliability of a TDI supply partner matters for continuous foam production. When comparing offers to Karachi, check that the supplier can demonstrate:

• A consistent, traceable grade with full TDS and batch COA
• Correct DG packaging and a documented dangerous goods capability for ocean freight
• Clear quotation scope (product, quantity, packaging, term, port, validity)
• Realistic lead times and sailing schedules rather than open-ended promises
• Responsive technical support for formulation questions

If you are still deciding between isocyanates for your foam line, our comparison of TDI vs MDI for flexible polyurethane foam explains the trade-offs in reactivity, foam properties and processing.

7. Frequently Asked Questions