1. Start with the spec, not the price
The best coal buy starts with a clear specification, because everything downstream — quotes, comparisons, performance — depends on it. Pin down calorific value, ash, moisture, sizing, monthly tonnage and delivery cadence before you ask for a single price.
If you're unsure which grade fits, our coal grades and specs and the guide to understanding GCV are the place to start.
- Target GCV (kcal/kg) and the acceptable range
- Maximum ash and moisture your process tolerates
- Sizing (ROM/unsized, sized, or fines)
- Monthly tonnage and how steady it is
2. Decide domestic or imported
Domestic coal from the WCL, SECL and SCCL command areas is usually the most economical delivered tonne; imported coal offers lower ash and higher, more consistent GCV at a higher landed cost. Weigh them on your equipment and budget — the imported vs domestic comparison walks through the trade-off.
3. Evaluate the supplier
A good coal supplier is judged on source proximity, dispatch reliability and documentation — not just the quoted rate. Ask where the coal loads from, how it moves, and what paperwork accompanies it.
Yards close to the command area shorten first-mile haul and protect schedules; see how a coordinated yard network does this, and what a defensible quality and compliance trail looks like.
4. Compare on delivered cost per useful kcal
Don't compare rupees per tonne — compare delivered cost per useful kilocalorie: GCV adjusted for ash and moisture, plus freight to your gate. It's the only fair basis when grades and sources differ. Ask each supplier to quote that way.
5. De-risk the paperwork before the PO
The cheapest tonne is worthless if the grade can't be proven or the invoice won't reconcile. Insist on third-party GCV verification, retained samples, a weighbridge trail and GST-clean, statutory-compliant invoicing.
When your spec is ready, request a quote — we respond within 24 hours against a documented grade.
Frequently asked
- How do I buy coal for my factory in India?
- Define your spec (GCV, ash, moisture, sizing, tonnage), decide between domestic and imported, shortlist suppliers on source proximity and documentation, compare quotes on delivered cost per useful kcal, and confirm the order against a documented grade with third-party GCV verification.
- Is it cheaper to buy domestic or imported coal?
- Domestic coal is usually cheaper per delivered tonne with a shorter haul, while imported coal offers lower ash and higher GCV at a higher landed cost. Compare on delivered cost per useful kcal for your plant rather than headline price.
- What documents should a coal supplier provide?
- A third-party laboratory GCV certificate, retained representative samples, weighbridge/dispatch weights, and GST-clean, statutory-compliant invoicing for every consignment.