For bagged salt, bentonite or other minerals, the practical minimum order is usually one 20-foot container. For loose bulk, it is a vessel parcel, which normally means thousands of tonnes. In most cases the shipping method, not the producer, sets the minimum.
Producers will often load less, but the cost per tonne rises sharply below a full container or a full parcel. So the real question is which shipping method fits your volume.
Container orders
Minerals and salt are heavy, so a 20-foot container reaches its weight limit long before it is full. That makes a single 20-foot box the usual starting point for a trial or a small regular order. The exact tonnage per box depends on the product, the bag type, and the road weight limits at both ends.
Many small and mid-sized producers in Gujarat accept one container, especially for standard grades in standard bags. A custom grade, printed retail packing or a special bag can push the minimum up, because the producer has to set up a separate run or buy packing material for you.
Bulk orders
Loose bulk only makes sense at vessel scale. Smaller bulk ships carry parcels in the thousands of tonnes. Most Indian salt exports, by contrast, travel in Supramax vessels with parcels of around 50,000 to 60,000 tonnes, according to a shipping analysis published in August 2025.
If you cannot take a full cargo, there are a few routes to bulk supply:
- Share a vessel with another buyer at the same or a nearby discharge port.
- Buy a part cargo from a supplier who is already loading a vessel to your region.
- Use a smaller vessel, which costs more per tonne but needs less volume.
- Ship bagged cargo as break bulk, which can work for a few thousand tonnes.
Trial orders
Before a bulk contract, most buyers run a trial in containers. That lets you test the grade in your own process, check the packing and documents, and see how the supplier performs on timing. A trial costs more per tonne, but it is much cheaper than a rejected shipload.
Be clear about how the trial differs from the bulk supply. A trial lot is often taken from a selected stockpile and may be better than routine production. Our article on why quality drops after the first container explains the risk and how to manage it.
What else affects the minimum
- Season matters, because salt and open-pit mining slow or stop during the monsoon.
- Grade matters, because a common grade can come from stock while a special one needs a dedicated run.
- Payment terms matter, because suppliers may ask for larger orders before offering credit.
- Your receiving facilities matter, because a bulk discharge needs a berth, unloading gear and storage.
Related reading
For a wider view of order sizes across chemicals, read MOQs at Indian chemical manufacturers. For vessel and container options, see freight options for bulk minerals.
Next step
We find producers that will accept your order size, check samples, and supervise the first loading. To work out the right starting volume, book a free sourcing review.