Playbook: 2 live corridors, step-by-step execution on ArbiTrade

Today's opportunity set

Two corridors are showing costed signals on the platform as of 16 June 2026. Both have been verified against landed-cost inputs (freight, duty, inspection, finance). Confidence levels reflect data freshness and counterparty availability.

• Aluminium Scrap (UBC): Germany → India | net margin 12.8% (~$260/MT) | landed cost ~$2040/MT | confidence 0.78 | high priority
• Copper Scrap (Millberry): Poland → Turkey | net margin 5.0% (~$425/MT) | landed cost ~$8575/MT | confidence 0.72 | indicative

How it plays out: Aluminium UBC, Germany to India

This is the higher-conviction play today. Walk through the workflow:

1. Spot the signal. On the ArbiTrade dashboard, the Germany-to-India UBC corridor shows a costed net spread of $260/MT. This already factors in: export licensing (Germany), ocean freight (~$45/MT), marine insurance (~$8/MT), Indian import duty (~$180/MT), inspection and certification (~$12/MT), and working-capital finance cost (~$15/MT). The landed cost sits at $2040/MT.

2. Sanity-check the landed cost. Pull the detail: confirm current scrap UBC buy price in Germany (typically €1650–1700/MT, or ~$1780–1830/MT). Add the itemised costs above. If your sourcing contact in Germany quotes €1680/MT and freight quotes hold, you're in the window. If German buy prices spike above €1720/MT, the margin compresses; flag it and re-run the model.

3. Build a structured RFQ. On ArbiTrade, draft an indicative request for quote (RFQ): 40 MT UBC, CIF (Cost, Insurance, Freight) basis to Nhava Sheva, India, 15 July loading window, standard inspection protocol. Specify: moisture <5%, density >1.2 g/cm³, no PVC or paint. The platform routes this to your verified supplier network in Germany and your buyer network in India.

4. Route and negotiate. ArbiTrade surfaces 3–4 pre-vetted German exporters and 2–3 Indian recyclers. Exporters quote landed cost; buyers quote their offtake price. You negotiate the spread. A realistic 40 MT container might see: German exporter asks $2045/MT landed; Indian buyer offers $2305/MT delivered. Your gross margin: $260/MT × 40 MT = $10,400 (before your own costs—logistics coordination, compliance, working capital). Indicative net margin to you: ~$6,000–7,500 after fees and financing.

5. Advance to close. Once buyer and seller agree, ArbiTrade facilitates the trade-finance link (typically a letter of credit or supply-chain finance facility). You do not hold title or funds; the platform coordinates settlement. Shipping documents flow through the system; payment releases on bill-of-lading presentation.

What could break it

• FX move. Euro strength (vs. USD/INR) could erode the margin by 1–2% if spot rates shift >2% intraday. Lock in forward rates early.
• Duty or inspection regime change. Indian import inspections occasionally tighten; if moisture specs fail, material gets reclassified and duty jumps. Confirm inspection protocol with your buyer before commitment.
• Demand softening. If Indian aluminium demand dips (e.g., auto sector slowdown), buyer offtake prices can fall $50–100/MT in 48 hours. Monitor weekly scrap indices.
• Spec drift and financing gap. If your German supplier delivers UBC at density <1.15 g/cm³, Indian buyer may reject or apply a $30–50/MT penalty. Confirm spec upfront. Also, if your finance facility caps at 60 days but shipping takes 75 days, you carry the gap cost—budget for it.

See it on the platform

ArbiTrade costs every corridor net of freight, duties, inspection, and FX, then routes structured RFQs to verified counterparties. Create a free account to explore live corridors and dispatch your first RFQ.

ArbiTrade provides market intelligence and coordination only. It does not execute trades, hold funds, act as a counterparty, or guarantee pricing, execution, or profit. This article is general commentary, not investment, legal, or trading advice. Conduct independent diligence before transacting.