Questions & answers
12 questions every buyer asks
Organized in the order a procurement team typically asks them — from MOQ and payment through inspection, shipping and after-sales.
What is the minimum order quantity (MOQ) for steel strip?
For stocked grades, a trial coil starts from 1 ton — enough to run a production trial and confirm shear quality, hardenability and tolerance. Production orders typically start from 5 tons per grade/thickness, which is the minimum for an efficient mill run and export container load. Exact MOQ depends on the grade, gauge and processing required — confirm at RFQ.
What payment terms do you accept?
Standard terms are T/T (telegraphic transfer): 30% advance payment to confirm the order, 70% balance against a copy of the bill of lading (B/L) before the original documents are released. For larger or first-time orders we also accept irrevocable L/C at sight. Other terms (D/P, O/A) are considered for established customers with a credit review. All payments are made to our company account — never to an individual.
What is the lead time for an order?
Stocked grades and standard sizes ship in 3–7 working days from order confirmation. Custom sizes, special processing (spheroidizing, narrow slitting, hardened-and-tempered) or non-stocked grades typically take 15–25 working days. The exact lead time is confirmed at RFQ based on grade, quantity, processing and current mill load. We update you at each milestone — material ready, processing complete, inspection passed, vessel booked.
Do you provide a Mill Test Certificate (MTC) with every coil?
Yes. Every coil ships with a Mill Test Certificate documenting chemical composition, mechanical properties (hardness, tensile where applicable), dimensions, heat number and processing history. The MTC is issued per heat or per coil depending on the grade and your requirement. For safety-critical or automotive parts, we can provide full traceability from the source hot-rolled coil to the finished strip.
Can I arrange third-party inspection (SGS, BV, Intertek)?
Yes. Third-party inspection by SGS, Bureau Veritas, Intertek or any accredited inspector is available on request. We coordinate the inspection date, provide access to the material and documentation, and address any findings before shipment. The inspection fee is typically borne by the buyer and confirmed at RFQ. Common inspection scopes: chemistry verification, hardness testing, dimensional check, surface inspection, packaging and marking check, and supervision of loading.
What INCOTERMS do you ship under?
We ship under FOB Shanghai (most common), CIF, CFR and DDP. FOB Shanghai means you arrange and pay for ocean freight; CIF includes freight and insurance to your destination port; DDP means we deliver to your door with all duties and taxes paid. For first-time orders we recommend FOB or CIF — DDP requires your import tax ID and a clear delivery address. The term is confirmed on the proforma invoice.
How is the steel strip packaged for export?
Standard export packaging: each coil is wrapped in anti-rust paper and VCI (volatile corrosion inhibitor) film, then strapped with steel bands and mounted on a wooden or steel pallet suitable for container loading. Coils are separated by dunnage to prevent movement in transit. For long sea voyages or high-humidity destinations, we add extra desiccant and a waterproof outer wrap. Packaging photos are sent before shipment.
Can I get a sample or trial coil before placing a production order?
Yes. Trial coils from 1 ton are standard for stocked grades. The trial lets you confirm shear quality, hardenability, surface finish and tolerance on your own equipment before committing to production volume. Trial coil pricing is at the standard rate; if you place a production order within a defined period, the trial cost can be credited against the production order — confirm the terms at RFQ. For very small material samples (a few sheets), we can send them by courier at your cost.
What information do you need for a quote?
To give you an accurate price and lead time, send: (1) grade and standard (e.g. SAE1078 / ASTM A684, or 4Cr13 / GB/T 1220); (2) thickness and width with tolerances; (3) quantity in tons or kg; (4) delivery condition (annealed, spheroidized, hardened-and-tempered); (5) processing required (slitting, cut-to-length, edge conditioning); (6) destination port or address; (7) target delivery date. A drawing or specification sheet helps us match the grade and condition precisely. For a complete, structured RFQ that covers every item suppliers need — including certificates, test data, packaging and inspection —
use our RFQ preparation checklist to speed up your quote.
What if the material does not meet the specification on arrival?
If the delivered material is outside the agreed specification (chemistry, hardness, dimensions, surface), we work with you to resolve it: replacement, re-processing, or credit — depending on the nature and extent of the deviation. The MTC and any third-party inspection report are the reference documents. We ask that you notify us within 14 days of cargo arrival with photos and inspection data so we can investigate with the mill. Our goal is to make it right, not to argue about who is at fault.
Do you support custom grades or non-standard specifications?
Yes. We can source and process custom chemistry, special hardness bands, non-standard widths and thicknesses, and surface finishes. Custom orders require a minimum quantity (typically 10–20 tons depending on the grade) and a longer lead time (25–40 working days) because the material is produced to order. We provide a proforma invoice with the mill's confirmed specification range before you commit.
Can you supply material with automotive or medical certification?
We supply material with full mill traceability and can provide IATF 16949-compliant documentation where the source mill is certified. For medical-grade stainless (4Cr13 / SUS420J2), we provide chemistry documentation aligned with ISO 7153-1 and can support your quality audit with material dossiers. Specific certifications (e.g. ISO 13485 for finished devices) are held by the device manufacturer, not the material supplier — we supply the documented input material.
