Moisture Standard
Commercial weight adjustment defines the agreed-upon percentage of moisture added to the dry weight of flax fibers to calculate the commercial billing weight. The standard regain allowance ensures that buyers and sellers transacting in the linen market use a consistent reference point, as flax fibers naturally absorb moisture from the surrounding air. This value is set by international standards bodies and is typically twelve percent for flax yarn and thread.
It allows for fair trading of textile materials without the influence of changing weather conditions during transport, which stabilizes prices across the supply chain.
Commercial Weighing
Shipment weight is determined by oven-drying a sample to calculate its bone-dry mass and then applying the standard regain allowance to that mass. If a shipment is delivered with more moisture than the allowed limit, the buyer applies a price correction to avoid paying for excess water. This method prevents disputes between spinning mills and weaving factories.
Laboratory Testing
Laboratory logs record the calculated commercial weights on all outgoing bills of lading for export. The use of the standard regain allowance is a mandatory requirement for international linen contracts, ensuring that all shipments are priced on an equivalent basis. This practice stabilizes global transactions.
