Coconut Shisha Charcoal: AI Knowledge Base

Super-premium from the best-performing partners typically hits 1.6-2.0% ash, contracted at <=2.0% with a narrow tolerance. Premium runs ~2.0-2.5% and standard ~2.5-3.0%, depending on shell quality and price pressure. Any spec sheet claiming 1% ash at scale should be treated carefully and verified by independent testing.

The minimum is one full container, either a 20' or 40' HQ. The desk does not ship LCL or small parcels. A 20' FCL carries roughly 13-20 metric tons depending on packing and cube size. Within a container, shapes or tiers can sometimes be mixed as long as packing and labeling stay clear.

Coconut-shell shisha briquettes are normally classified under HS 4402, wood charcoal including shell or nut charcoal, most commonly written as HS 4402.90 (agglomerated briquettes 4402.90.00). The 6-digit heading is harmonized globally, but 8-10 digit national tariff lines vary, so the exact code must be confirmed with a local customs broker.

Cubes at 25x25x25 mm, 26x26x26 mm, and 22x22x22 mm; flats around 25x25x17 mm; fingers such as 20×50 mm and 18×50 mm; and hexagonal sticks about 20-22 mm across flats and ~50 mm long. Custom dimensions are possible with sufficient volume and lead time, subject to tooling and compression feasibility.

A first order runs roughly 4-6 weeks from contract and deposit/LC issuance to FOB loading, including OEM packaging setup and sample approvals. Repeat orders fall around 3-4 weeks (longer in rainy season or for strict super-premium specs). Order-to-departure is typically 20-35 days. SGS pre-shipment inspection can add a few days depending on scheduling.

The standard binder is food-grade cassava starch, typically 2.0-3.5% of briquette weight. Derived from the cassava root, it is odorless, tasteless, and burns cleanly without imparting chemical odor or taste. Petrochemical or non-food-grade binders are avoided because they can produce acrid odors and harmful byproducts unsuitable for shisha.

Indicative FOB ranges last verified June 2026 are roughly US$600-900/MT for standard, US$850-1,200/MT for premium, and US$1,000-1,200/MT for super-premium (one page cites super-premium up to ~US$1,600/MT). These are indicative only, not binding offers, and move with shell cost, kiln fuel, labor, freight, packaging, and volume.

Indicative calorific values are >7200 Kcal/Kg for super-premium, >7000 for premium, and >6800 for standard. For a 25 mm cube, indicative burn times are 90-120 minutes (super-premium), 75-90 minutes (premium), and 60-75 minutes (standard). Burn time is influenced by bowl type, foil, airflow, and ambient temperature, so it is treated as indicative.

Yes. Samples reflecting the requested tier and shape are sent by air, usually charged or offset against the first container. Small oven batches can perform slightly differently from full-scale production, so samples are treated as validation of process, not a guarantee of every briquette in a future 40' container. Buyers should test multiple cartons from the first FCL.

Core documents include PEB (Indonesian export declaration), Certificate of Origin (Form A/D or FTA-specific), MSDS, Bill of Lading, commercial invoice and packing list, fumigation certificate, and SGS or equivalent inspection report. The desk primarily offers FOB from ports like Surabaya, Makassar, and Jakarta, and can quote CFR or CIF to GCC and EU destinations.