What Certifications Do You Provide?
A steel order carries several documents, not one certificate: mill test certificates to EN 10204 3.1 or 3.2, ISO 9001, CE marking and third-party reports.
Interactive Q&A
Straight answers to the questions overseas steel buyers ask us most.
What Payment Terms Do You Accept for Steel Orders?
Steel payment terms come in four main structures: documents against payment, letter of credit, deposit with balance, and open account. See how each one works.
How Long Is the Lead Time for Steel Export?
Steel lead time from China is the sum of allocation, production, documentation, booking, sea transit and clearance. See which stage drives your delivery date.
What Is the MOQ for Steel from China?
Steel MOQ from China is counted per tonne, per coil or bundle, per piece or per container load. See what drives the minimum and how to plan an order around it.
FOB vs CIF: Which Incoterm for Steel Import?
FOB puts the freight and insurance in your hands; CIF keeps them with the seller. Here is how the choice changes cost, control and risk on a steel import.
How Many Tons of Steel Pipe Fit in a Container?
A 20ft container holds roughly 25-28 tonnes of steel pipe; a 40ft holds about the same weight but far more volume. Here is how the real figure is worked out.
What Are the Main Risks of Buying Steel from China?
The real risks when buying steel from China are substitution, documentation and schedule, not the country itself. How each risk appears, and how to control it.
What Does an EN 10204 3.1 Certificate Mean?
EN 10204 3.1 is the inspection certificate a mill issues with its own test results. Here is how it differs from 3.2 and from a simple certificate of conformity.
Why Is Steel Galvanized, and When Do You Need It?
Galvanizing coats steel with zinc to stop corrosion. Here is how the protection works and how to judge when galvanized steel is the right choice.
What Is the Cheapest Type of Steel?
Carbon steel is the cheapest family, and commodity long products and hot-rolled coil are the cheapest forms within it. How to think about cost by type and form.
Where Can I Buy Galvanized Steel Wholesale?
Buying galvanized steel wholesale means fixing the coating standard and the delivery term, not just the size. What to specify so the offers are comparable.
Theoretical Weight vs Actual Weight on a Steel Order
The weight basis on a steel order changes what you pay. Here is how theoretical and actual weight differ, and how to state the basis clearly on the order.