Metals & Mining Theme, Non-Ferrous
October 14, 2025
Platts proposes new FOB Canada aluminum premium
Platts, part of S&P Global Commodity Insights, is proposing to launch a daily aluminum FOB Canada premium assessment, effective Dec. 8, 2025.
The new assessment would reflect a premium or discount to the LME cash settlement price for spot cargoes of 99.7% P1020A material on a free-on-board Canada basis, in sow, T-bar or ingot form, typically in 1,000-10,000 mt, assessed in cents/lb.
The proposed launch responds to requests for greater transparency regarding Canadian aluminum exports to the US and duty-unpaid aluminum import costs, particularly as traditional trade flows have been impacted by the implementation of US tariffs.
In addition to bids, offers, trades and indicative values for spot cargoes of 99.7% P1020A material on an FOB basis, Platts may consider relevant market information for material transacted on an FCA and/or ex-works basis in Canada, normalized to the proposed basis location of Quebec St. Lawrence ports, and basis quantity of 1,000-10,000 mt.
In the absence of market information published on an FOB, FCA or ex-works Canada basis, Platts may also consider adjacent international markets and apply appropriate freight rates to netback to an equivalent FOB Canada value.
Full specifications of the proposed FOB Canada aluminum premium assessment would be as follows:
| Assessments | Frequency | Quality | Quantity | Location | Timing | UoM | Payment Terms |
| Aluminum FOB Canada premium | Daily | 99.7% P1020A | 1,000-10,000 mt | FOB Quebec St. Lawrence ports | Loading 7-30 days | c/lb | Net-30-60 days |
The aluminum FOB Canada premium assessment, as well as related monthly averages and $/mt conversions, would appear in Metals Daily and Metals Week, on the PMA413 and MTL413 fixed pages, and in the Platts pricing database.
The assessment would follow a London/LME holiday calendar and would reflect a 4 pm US ET timestamp.
Platts invites feedback, comments and questions on this proposal to metalsamericas@spglobal.com and pricegroup@spglobal.com by Nov. 5, 2025.
For written comments, please provide a clear indication if comments are not intended for publication by Platts for public viewing.
Platts will consider all comments received and will make comments not marked as confidential available upon request.