A request for liquid helium is not complete when it states only quantity and purity. The quotation also depends on the tank, route, operating pressure, handover point and time required to release reusable equipment. Supplying these details at the beginning reduces assumptions and identifies issues before freight is booked.
1. Start with the named destination
State the intended port, airport, city or agreed inland place, together with the country and requested delivery period. The named point matters because carrier acceptance, local handling, customs procedures, transfer access and empty-equipment return all affect the viable route.
Also state the expected transport mode. Sea, air and road movements are reviewed differently. A mode should not be promised until the selected tank, route and dangerous-goods requirements have been accepted.
2. Identify who owns the ISO tank
For a customer-owned or buyer-owned tank, attach the current container certificate and provide the tank identification, design pressure, connection details and any operating restrictions. The certificate supports technical acceptance; it does not by itself confirm that the equipment is suitable for the proposed product, route or carrier.
For a supplier-owned tank, state how many days are needed after arrival for unloading and release. A reusable cryogenic tank remains part of the delivery cycle until it reaches the agreed empty-container return point.
3. Match the Incoterm to the transport mode
CIF is intended for sea or inland-waterway transport and must name the destination port. It is not the correct shorthand for an airport or general inland destination. CIP can support multimodal carriage, while DAP and FCA may be considered where their delivery and risk points match the transaction.
The selected Incoterm, named place and contract wording must be reviewed for the actual transaction. This guide is operational information, not legal advice.
4. State design pressure and transfer interface
Liquid-helium tank enquiries should state the required container design pressure. Typical project discussions may refer to 4 bar, 6 bar, 9-10 bar or 12 bar equipment, but the accepted value must come from the selected tank and receiving arrangement. Provide the required transfer connection, hose or coupling standard, receiving pressure constraints and any site-access limitations.
See the site's overview of cryogenic packaging and engineering and transfer support when defining the interface.
5. Define unloading and empty return
For supplier-owned equipment, specify the unloading and release window in calendar days, the empty-container return point, and whether buyer or seller pays the return freight. These are commercial inputs, not after-delivery details. An unclear return cycle can change equipment availability and delivered cost.
6. Align quality and shipment documents
State the required quality basis and supporting documents. A typical request may include an agreed product specification, a batch Certificate of Analysis, the applicable SDS, container certificates and route-specific transport documents. SG Trading's quality documentation page explains the distinction between typical data, a specification and batch evidence.
The buyer, consignee, end use, destination, transit route and supporting declarations may also require review under the site's trade compliance and export control process.
RFQ checklist
- Required quantity and quality basis
- Named destination and requested delivery period
- Sea, air or road transport assumption
- Incoterm and exact named port or place
- Customer-owned, supplier-owned or either tank option
- Container certificate when the customer supplies the tank
- Container design pressure and transfer connection
- Unloading and release days for supplier-owned equipment
- Empty-container return point and return-freight payer
- CoA, SDS and other required shipment documents
What happens after submission
SG Trading reviews the product, equipment, route, destination, end use, documentation and commercial responsibilities as one project. Final availability, usable quantity, freight mode, equipment acceptance, schedule and terms are confirmed only in the resulting offer and agreed documents.