Answers
Frequently Asked Questions
The questions that come in on nearly every first enquiry, answered in the order they come up. If yours is not here, send it — we answer in writing, not with a brochure.
Before you order
- What is the minimum order?
- One 20ft container, mixed across products if that suits the project. A mixed container is the normal way to trial a range without committing to a full load of one item.
- Can I order less than a container?
- Not for export production. For a first check of the material, request a sample box instead — cut sections posted by courier, with the technical data sheet for each product.
- How do I know the price before ordering?
- Send the product, the sizes, the quantity and the destination port. Price depends on all four, and on whether the loading plan is a full container or mixed.
Samples and testing
- Do you send samples?
- Yes. Tell us the product and the size you are specifying and we post a cut sample with the data sheet. Samples are also how most buyers settle a colour match before placing an order.
- Can I see a test report before ordering?
- Yes. Panel samples are tested by SGS, and the reports are supplied on request. For acoustic products the NRC figure is tested to ASTM C423; ask for the report for the specific grade you are specifying.
- Can you match a colour from a photograph?
- A photograph is a starting point, not a specification. Send a physical sample or a Pantone reference — screen colour varies and the same code can read differently across production batches.
Production and lead time
- How long does production take?
- 15–25 days from order confirmation for the standard range. Non-standard sections and colours are made to order and take longer — we confirm the date when the specification is fixed, not before.
- Can you make a non-standard size?
- For most product lines, yes — sections and lengths are made to order. Send the drawing or the dimension and we will confirm feasibility and the effect on lead time before you commit.
- How is quality checked before shipment?
- Section, length, colour and surface are checked against the order sheet. Third-party inspection can be arranged if your company requires it — tell us at the quotation stage so it is built into the schedule.
Shipping and documents
- Which terms do you ship on?
- FOB is the usual starting point, and CIF or CFR can be quoted for the destination port. The right term depends on whether you have your own forwarder.
- How is the container loaded?
- The loading plan is set before production, not on the day. Pallet, film and carton combinations are matched to the container type, and bundles are strapped with corner protection.
- Which documents come with the shipment?
-
- Commercial invoice and packing list
- Bill of lading
- Certificate of origin where the destination requires it
- Test reports and CE documentation for EU-bound orders
Payment
- What are the payment terms?
- T/T 30% deposit, balance before shipment. The full terms are on the proforma invoice, which is issued together with the packing plan.
- Do you accept a letter of credit?
- Ask us at the quotation stage. Whether an L/C works depends on the amount, the bank and the shipment schedule, and it changes the lead time.
Standards and compliance
- Which standards do the products meet?
- Acoustic panels are rated to ASTM C423; formwork beams to EN 13377; OSB to EN 300; board emission to EN 717-1. Panel samples are tested by SGS and CE documentation is supplied for EU-bound orders.
- What is the difference between E0 and E1?
- Both are formaldehyde emission classes measured to EN 717-1. E1 is the standard interior grade and what most EU-bound orders specify. E0 is the tighter of the two — ask for it where the local code or the buyer requires it.
- Is the material safe for a home?
- The board lines are supplied in E0 and E1 grades, which are the emission classes used for interior use. Ask for the test report for the specific product and grade you are ordering rather than relying on a general claim.