Large-scale chlorinated solvent manufacturers operating their own chlorination and distillation facilities. Examples include major Shandong and Jiangsu chemical groups. These suppliers own the production process end-to-end, can provide authentic batch-level COAs, and have the production consistency needed for pharmaceutical applications.

Established chemical traders who purchase DCM from multiple producers, provide logistics and export services, and often add value through documentation management, label printing, and multi-product consolidation. Many have long-term supply agreements with specific producers. COA quality depends entirely on their relationship with the source manufacturer.

Online marketplace listings (Alibaba, Made-in-China, Global Sources) and commission-based brokers who connect buyers with Tier 1 or Tier 2 suppliers but may have limited chemistry knowledge and variable quality control. Appropriate for market intelligence and initial supplier discovery, but require additional verification before placing commercial orders.

• Verify business registration on China's SAMR Enterprise Credit system (国家企业信用信息公示系统)
• Confirm chemical business licence (危险化学品经营许可证) - mandatory for DCM trading in China
• Check export licence status - confirm company is registered as an export entity
• Verify physical address independently (Google Maps, Baidu Maps)
• Request company profile with years in business, product range, key export markets

• Request sample batch COA for the grade you intend to purchase
• Confirm QC laboratory capabilities: GC-FID, Karl Fischer, APHA colour, refractometer
• Ask which manufacturer's DCM they supply (for Tier 2 traders)
• For pharma grade: confirm ICH Q3C Class 2 documentation experience
• Request a sample for incoming QC testing before first commercial order

• Confirm supplier has experience exporting Class 6.1 dangerous goods internationally
• Request a sample DGD (Dangerous Goods Declaration) from a previous shipment
• Confirm they use UN-certified packaging (UN 1H1 or UN 1A2 steel drums)
• Ask which shipping lines they work with for DG cargo
• Confirm ability to provide MSDS / SDS in your required language

• Request a sample commercial invoice and packing list format
• Confirm they can issue a Certificate of Origin (CO/FORM A) if FTA tariff preference applies
• For EU buyers: confirm REACH registration number availability
• Confirm all documentation can be provided in English (not Chinese only)
• Assess responsiveness: prompt, accurate replies to technical questions indicate good quality control culture

What happens: Generic or undated COAs may not correspond to the actual shipped material. If quality issues arise, there is no way to trace the batch back to a specific production run or hold the supplier accountable.
Solution: Require that every COA includes a unique lot/batch number and production date that matches the drum or tank labels on arrival.

What happens: An incomplete DGD - missing proper shipping name, UN number, packing details, or certifier signature - can cause the shipping line to reject the booking, the container to be offloaded mid-voyage, or customs to detain the shipment on arrival.
Solution: Request a sample DGD from a previous shipment before placing your first order. Confirm the person signing the DGD holds a current IMDG certification. Review the DGD against the UN 1593 requirements before vessel departure.

What happens: Technical grade DCM (chloroform up to 200 ppm) cannot be used directly in GMP pharmaceutical processes where ICH Q3C limits apply (chloroform ≤10 ppm in product). Using technical grade material in pharma processes can result in finished product OOS (out-of-specification) results and batch rejection.
Solution: Always specify grade explicitly in the purchase order. For pharma use, require "pharmaceutical grade, ≥99.9% purity, chloroform ≤10 ppm, with ICH Q3C Class 2 documentation."

What happens: In China, trading and exporting hazardous chemicals (including DCM) requires specific licences (危险化学品经营许可证 and export registration). Unlicensed suppliers may offer lower prices but can cause shipments to be held by Chinese customs on export.
Solution: Request the supplier's business licence and hazardous chemical operating licence. Cross-check on China's National Enterprise Credit Information Publicity System (gsxt.samr.gov.cn).

What happens: Buyers comparing Chinese FOB quotes with US domestic or non-China-origin quotes on an equivalent basis fail to add the 25% Section 301 tariff to the Chinese price, making the Chinese quote appear more competitive than it actually is in delivered-duty-paid terms.
Solution: Always add the applicable Section 301 tariff to Chinese FOB pricing for US-destination total cost calculations. Verify the current tariff rate with a licensed US customs broker before quoting or purchasing.

What happens: Chinese MEE environmental inspections can shut down multiple DCM production facilities simultaneously with 1–2 weeks notice. Buyers with only 2–3 weeks of safety stock find themselves scrambling to source from alternative suppliers at spot premiums of 20–40% above contracted prices.
Solution: Maintain 6–8 weeks of safety stock. Monitor Chinese MEE inspection announcements. Keep a second qualified supplier on standby even if they are not your primary source.

Q1: What is the minimum order quantity (MOQ) for DCM from China?

For sea freight shipments, the practical minimum is typically one 20-foot FCL container: approximately 80 × 200 L drums = 21 MT net. Many Chinese suppliers will not quote for less than one FCL due to the logistics overhead of DG documentation and shipping line booking. For buyers needing less than one FCL, consolidation services (LCL - Less than Container Load) are available but are significantly more expensive per MT for Class 6.1 dangerous goods and require careful cargo compatibility review with the consolidator. Some established trading companies offer trial shipments of 10–20 drums by LCL for new buyers, at a significant cost premium.

Q2: How do I verify whether a Chinese DCM supplier is legitimate?

Four practical verification steps: (1) Business registration check - search the company name or unified social credit code (统一社会信用代码) on China's National Enterprise Credit Information Publicity System at gsxt.samr.gov.cn. This shows registration status, legal representative, and any administrative penalties. (2) Chemical business licence - ask for a copy and verify it includes hazardous chemicals operating scope (危险化学品). (3) Sample COA and DGD - request samples from a previous shipment. Legitimate exporters can provide these readily; fraudulent operators often cannot. (4) Video call factory visit - request a video call where the contact person is physically at the warehouse or plant, not in an office. Most established Chinese chemical companies will accommodate this for serious buyers.

Q3: What is a Dangerous Goods Declaration and why is it critical?

A Dangerous Goods Declaration (DGD) is a mandatory shipping document that confirms hazardous cargo is classified, packaged, labelled, and described in compliance with the IMDG Code (for sea freight) or IATA DGR (for air freight). It is signed by the shipper (or their DG-certified agent) who certifies that all DG requirements have been met. For DCM, it must state: UN 1593, "DICHLOROMETHANE", Class 6.1, PG III, total net quantity, package type and count. Shipping lines will reject a booking or offload the container if the DGD is missing, incorrect, or unsigned. Customs authorities at many destinations require the DGD as part of import clearance. A compliant DGD is the single most important document in a DCM shipment after the Bill of Lading.

Q4: Can I ship DCM by air freight from China?

Technically yes - DCM is permitted on cargo aircraft under IATA Packing Instruction 602, with a maximum net quantity of 220 L per package. However, air freight of DCM is almost never commercially viable for bulk orders because: (1) Air freight rates for Class 6.1 DG cargo are 10–20× sea freight rates per kg; (2) package size limits mean multiple small packages for any significant volume; (3) many airlines refuse to carry chlorinated solvent Class 6.1 cargo due to their own cargo acceptance policies. Air freight of DCM is occasionally used for laboratory-scale research samples (1–4 L bottles) or for emergency pharmaceutical manufacturing situations where the cost of production delay exceeds the air freight premium.

Q5: What should I do when DCM arrives and drums are damaged or the COA doesn't match specification?

Follow this sequence: (1) Photograph all damage before offloading from the container - you need photographic evidence dated before you take custody for insurance and supplier claims. (2) Note any discrepancies on the delivery receipt - a clean signed delivery receipt is used by freight companies and suppliers to deny claims later. (3) Hold non-conforming material in quarantine - do not use material that does not meet specification while the claim is being resolved. (4) Notify the supplier in writing within 48 hours with photographic evidence and COA comparison data. (5) For insurance claims: contact your cargo insurer with the Bill of Lading, survey report, and damage photos. (6) Resample and retest if in doubt about quality - your own QC test result is the definitive basis for a quality dispute.

Q6: Why should I choose Sinolook Chemical as my DCM supplier?

Sinolook Chemical Co., Ltd. is an established Chinese specialty chemical exporter with experience shipping DCM and other chlorinated solvents to 50+ countries. We provide: complete trade documentation (commercial invoice, packing list, COA, SDS, DGD, certificate of origin); both technical grade and high-purity/pharmaceutical grade DCM with batch-specific COAs; support for ICH Q3C Class 2 documentation requirements for pharmaceutical customers; SDS in multiple languages; and reliable DG-compliant sea freight through established shipping line partnerships. Our team responds promptly to technical specification queries and can arrange sample shipments for quality qualification before commercial orders. Contact us via WhatsApp, WeChat, or email for a prompt quotation.