Routing Central African mineral consignments to international markets

The shortest route on a map is not always the most reliable route for a mineral consignment. Border procedures, road and rail capacity, carrier availability, security conditions, port capability and the destination buyer's requirements all affect the practical choice.

Route planning should begin before the Incoterm is agreed because the selected term allocates cost, control and risk between buyer and seller. A route that one party cannot insure or document properly is not commercially ready.

Every physical handover should correspond to a documentary handover. Seal records, weights, condition reports and custody acknowledgements help preserve the identity of the consignment as it moves between warehouse, carrier, border, port and destination facility.

The destination country's import, customs, sanctions, environmental and product requirements must be checked before dispatch. Buyers should identify their nominated facility and import responsibilities early, while sellers should avoid giving delivery commitments until the route and documents have been verified.