2 10 月, 2026
What Is the MOQ for Steel from China?
There is no single figure for the MOQ for steel from China, because minimum order quantity is a commercial term agreed between buyer and supplier, not a published industry number. It is counted differently by product — by weight for long products and plate, by coil or bundle for bundled goods, often by container load for hollow sections. What the number reflects is the smallest quantity that can be produced, packed and shipped economically.
Short answer
MOQ means minimum order quantity: the smallest quantity a supplier will accept on one order. In Chinese steel exports it is normally counted in tonnes, coils or bundles, standard pieces, or whole container loads. Two orders of the same weight can carry very different minimums — one a size already in production, the other a special size or length. The minimum for a line is confirmed against your exact specification when you request a price.
Why the minimum decides more than the price
It decides where the goods come from: above the production minimum the material is rolled or coated for your order; below it the supplier fills from stock or a shared production programme, which changes the price basis and the traceability behind the mill certificate. It also decides freight per tonne — steel is heavy and low-value per kilo.
How MOQ is counted in the steel trade
| How it is counted | Where you see it | What drives the number |
|---|---|---|
| By weight (tonnes) | Long products and plate: rebar, angle, channel, beams | A rolling lot has a minimum size |
| By coil or bundle | Rebar in coils, wire rod, flat bar | Bundle weights are fixed by the mill |
| By piece or standard length | Pipe and tube in standard lengths | Goods are handled and lifted in packs |
| By container load (FCL) | Hollow sections, small diameters, galvanised goods | A part-filled box has to be absorbed |
How to plan an order around a minimum
- Start from the container, not the minimum: work out what a full load holds for your size and packing, then compare it with what you need.
- Ask whether the minimum applies to the whole order or to each specification line — that decides whether mixing sizes helps you.
- Ask whether it is a production minimum (a mill run) or a shipping minimum (a container fill).
- If the quantity is small, look at standard sizes first, and get the basis in writing — per tonne or per load, FOB or CIF.
Related questions
- How many tons of steel pipe fit in a container?
- FOB vs CIF for steel imports
- Which region of China to import steel from?
- Steel product catalogue
Frequently asked questions
What is the MOQ for steel from China?
MOQ stands for minimum order quantity, and in the steel trade it is a commercial term agreed between buyer and supplier rather than a fixed industry figure. It is usually counted in tonnes, coils or bundles, standard pieces, or whole container loads. Because it depends on the exact specification, it is confirmed at the quotation stage: send the product, size, grade and quantity and the minimum comes back with the offer.
Can I mix several sizes to reach the minimum?
It depends on whether the minimum applies to the order as a whole or to each specification line. Where it is per line, mixing does not help; where it is per order, it usually does.
Why is the minimum higher for a non-standard size or grade?
Because it follows the setup behind the line: a special size, a grade outside regular production, a fixed cut length or a coating run all require a production lot to be opened for that item, so the smallest economical quantity is larger.
How do I confirm the minimum for my own order?
Set it out in the enquiry: product, size, grade, length, packing, quantity and destination port. The minimum for each line is then confirmed with the offer. Request a quotation with those details.
Send the product, size, grade and quantity you need and we will come back with a worked offer. See the steel product catalogue, how we inspect and certify each order, or request a quotation.