ICUMSA 45 describes a colour. It doesn't confirm the sugar, the supplier, or the export.
"ICUMSA 45" is one of the most sought-after designations in the sugar trade, and one of the most misused. The value refers to the maximum colour of a solution, measured by a specific laboratory method, nothing more. It is not confirmation of purity, not a certificate of origin, not an export authorisation, not proof the product belongs to the seller. We examine the full operation: producer, origin, quality, availability, exportability and payment.
It's common for an entity to claim direct representation of a major Brazilian, Indian or Thai mill with no verifiable relationship at all. Mandates with no expiry, product or territory defined, contacts that don't use the mill's official domain, multiple companies presenting themselves as exclusive mandataries for the same production. The mill's real existence never confirms, on its own, its relationship with whoever is selling.
Whoever produced the sugar may not be who refines it, whoever refines it may not be who exports it. We establish who actually holds the product, who will issue the invoice, and whether the seller has a demonstrable right over the quantity on offer, not just access to information about it.
Monthly or annual volumes need to be tested against historical production, harvest duration, refining capacity and commitments already made. A mill with high capacity doesn't necessarily have the proposed volume available for a new buyer.
In India particularly, export quotas shift, and an offer can be genuine on paper and still be prohibited from leaving the country on that date. We check the export policy currently in force, the quota assigned to the mill, and whether that quota is still available, not just whether the sugar exists.
It shows a sample was tested. It doesn't show that sample is the one that will be delivered. We treat any commercial sample as a reference only, until independent sampling of the actual contractual lot exists.
ICUMSA 45 defines a colour result. The transaction's credibility depends on proving who produces, who can sell, what quantity actually exists, and how the product reaches the buyer legally.