Iranian cement and clinker for export: types, standards, bulk and bagged supply

Iran is one of the world's larger cement producers, with dozens of plants spread across the country and a long record of exporting cement and clinker to neighbouring and overseas markets. Exporters offer ordinary Portland cement, sulfate-resisting types, pozzolanic cement and clinker, in 50 kg bags, jumbo bags or bulk. Buy against a named standard such as EN 197-1 or ASTM C150, with a recent test certificate for strength and chemistry, and pay through escrow that releases the money only after you confirm receipt.

36 listings on ASL Market now, usually $1.01–$800.00 per piece.

Cement types and the standards behind them

Iranian plants produce to the Iranian national standard for Portland cement and, for export, test against the standard the buyer names. The two most requested foreign standards are EN 197-1 (Europe, much of Africa and the Middle East) and ASTM C150 (Americas, parts of the Gulf and Asia). Always name the standard and the exact type in your request.

Iranian trade name	Closest EN 197-1 type	Closest ASTM C150 type	Main property and use
Type 1-425	CEM I 42.5 N/R	Type I	General construction, ready-mix concrete
Type 1-525	CEM I 52.5 N/R	Type I (high early strength types are Type III)	Precast, high-strength concrete
Type 2	No direct equivalent; CEM I with moderate C3A	Type II (C3A ≤ 8%)	Moderate sulfate resistance and moderate heat
Type 5	CEM I-SR types (e.g. SR 0, SR 3, SR 5)	Type V (C3A ≤ 5%)	High sulfate resistance: foundations, marine and saline soil
Pozzolanic (Portland pozzolana) cement	CEM II/A-P or CEM IV types, depending on content	Blended cement under ASTM C595	Lower heat, durable in aggressive conditions

Clinker specifications to agree

Clinker is the intermediate product that grinding plants abroad mix with gypsum and other additives to make cement. It is sold in bulk by the tonne, usually by vessel. Agree chemical and mineral limits in the contract and name the laboratory that will test the loading sample.

C3S content, often stated as a minimum, and C3A content if you make sulfate-resisting cement.
Free lime (f-CaO), usually stated as a maximum.
MgO, SO3, loss on ignition (LOI) and insoluble residue maximums.
Lime saturation factor, silica ratio and alumina ratio, if your grinding plant needs them.
Compressive strength of a laboratory cement made from the clinker at 2, 7 and 28 days.
Size distribution and the share of dust and oversized lumps.

Bulk vs bagged supply

Form	Usual packing	Usual transport	Notes
Bagged cement	50 kg paper or woven polypropylene bags, on pallets or loose	Containers, trucks, rail, break-bulk vessels	Suits smaller buyers and markets without bulk silos
Jumbo bags	About 1–2 t big bags	Trucks, rail, break-bulk vessels	Faster handling; check lifting loops and liner
Bulk cement	Loose	Bulk carriers or cement carriers, bulk trucks, rail wagons	Needs silos or pneumatic discharge at destination
Clinker	Loose	Bulk carriers	Less sensitive to moisture than cement; still needs dry holds

Regional markets and routes

Iranian cement and clinker have long been sold to Iraq and Afghanistan by truck and rail, to Central Asia and the Caucasus overland, and to markets around the Persian Gulf, East Africa and South Asia by sea. Many export-oriented plants sit in southern provinces, closer to the ports.

Sea cargoes usually load at Bandar Abbas (Shahid Rajaee) and other Persian Gulf ports. Bulk vessel lots usually start at several thousand tonnes, while bagged cement can be ordered by the container or truck. Agree the loading rate, laytime and demurrage terms for vessel cargoes. See /guides/shipping-routes-from-iran and /guides/incoterms-for-iranian-exports.

Testing, documents and shelf life

Ask for a mill test certificate for the production period and agree an independent sampling and test at loading for larger lots, using EN 196 or ASTM test methods. Typical shipping documents are the commercial invoice, packing list or weight certificate, certificate of origin, bill of lading and quality certificate. ASL Market does not physically inspect goods; see /guides/pre-shipment-inspection-iran.

Bagged cement absorbs moisture and is usually best used within about three months of packing when stored dry and off the ground. Bulk cement in sealed silos lasts longer. Cement is classified under HS 2523.29 (grey Portland cement) and clinker under 2523.10; check the full code with your customs broker. Import rules differ by country; check your own country's rules on trade with Iran before you order.

What drives price

Price depends mostly on the type and strength class, bulk or bagged form, packing material, order size, the Incoterm and freight. For vessel cargoes, port charges, loading rate and demurrage risk matter as much as the ex-works price. Compare offers on the same Incoterm, for example FOB Bandar Abbas or CFR your port.

How to buy cement and clinker on ASL Market

Browse listings in /categories/asl_building_materials and chat with producers and exporters. Messages go through ASL Market, so contact details stay private. For tenders and vessel lots, post a buying request at /post-request with the standard, type, quantity, packing, port and delivery window.

The supplier confirms price, quantity, freight, Incoterm and ship-by date before you pay. Payment is in USDT today; more payment methods are coming soon. ASL Secure Pay holds the money until you confirm receipt, and receipt is confirmed automatically after a set period if you neither confirm nor dispute. In a dispute, ASL Market decides, and a partial refund is possible. See /trade-assurance.

Listings

Zagros Lightweight Concrete Blocks
Mashhad Type 2 Cement — ≈ $15.00 / piece
Cement — ≈ $20.00 / ton
Type 2 Cement — ≈ $3.20 / piece
Cement and Tile Adhesive — ≈ $2.15 / piece
Gray and White Cement and Rebar
Pozzolanic Cement
Portland Cement
Cement Clinker
White Cement
Espandar Cementitious Block and Masonry Adhesive — ≈ $19.00 / piece
Sepahan Cement — ≈ $15.00 / piece

FAQ

What is Iranian Type 2 and Type 5 cement?

They are sulfate-resisting Portland cements comparable to ASTM C150 Type II (moderate sulfate resistance, C3A at most 8%) and Type V (high sulfate resistance, C3A at most 5%). They are used for foundations, coastal works and saline soils, which are common in the Gulf region. Ask for a test certificate showing C3A.

Does Iranian cement meet EN 197-1 or ASTM C150?

Many plants can produce to these standards, but compliance depends on each lot. Name the standard and type in your contract and ask for a test certificate, plus independent testing at loading for larger orders.

What is the difference between cement and clinker?

Clinker is the burnt nodule made in the kiln; cement is clinker ground with gypsum and sometimes other materials. Importers with their own grinding plant buy clinker, while others buy finished cement.

What is the minimum order for Iranian cement?

Bagged cement can usually be ordered by the container or truck. Bulk cement and clinker by sea usually start at several thousand tonnes per vessel. Each supplier sets its own MOQ.

What is the HS code for cement and clinker?

Clinker is under HS 2523.10 and grey Portland cement under 2523.29, with white cement under 2523.21. Check the full national code with your customs broker.

How long can bagged cement be stored?

Bagged cement slowly absorbs moisture and loses strength. It is usually best used within about three months of packing, stored dry, covered and off the ground. Check the packing date on the bags.