A practical guide to exporting precision steel strip: container loading capacity, sea freight transit times, INCOTERMS, export packaging and the full document checklist — everything a procurement team needs to plan a shipment from Shanghai.
Steel strip is dense, heavy and vulnerable to moisture damage. Our export packaging is designed to protect the coil through multi-week voyages with humidity swings, container condensation and handling at transshipment ports.
Each coil is first wrapped in anti-rust (VCI) paper that inhibits corrosion during storage and transit. The paper-wrapped coil is then heat-sealed in plastic film to create a moisture barrier. For palletized shipments, coils are placed on wooden or steel pallets depending on coil weight and destination requirements — wooden pallets are ISPM-15 compliant and accompanied by a fumigation certificate where required.
Inside the container, coils are secured with steel strapping and dunnage to prevent shifting during rough seas. Heavy coils are positioned to distribute weight evenly across the container floor. The goal is simple: the coil that leaves Shanghai in spec arrives at your dock in the same condition — no rust, no deformation, no packaging failure.
For high-carbon grades that are sensitive to surface decarburization, and for electrical steel where surface insulation matters, the packaging protocol is reviewed per order to match the grade's specific handling requirements.
Steel is heavy, so container loading is limited by weight, not volume. The table below shows indicative loading capacity by container type.
| Container type | Indicative payload (tons) | Internal length (m) | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20GP (20ft General Purpose) | 20 – 25 | 5.90 | Heavy coils, shorter runs, cost-sensitive routes |
| 40GP (40ft General Purpose) | 25 – 28 | 12.03 | Mixed coil sizes, volume shipments |
| 40HQ (40ft High Cube) | 26 – 28 | 12.03 | Taller coil OD, same weight as 40GP |
Indicative only. Actual loading depends on individual coil weight, outer diameter, packaging dimensions and container securing method. Final loading plan confirmed at booking.
Shanghai Port (Yangshan & Waigaoqiao terminals) offers direct and transshipment services to every major region. The table below lists indicative port-to-port transit times.
| Destination region | Indicative transit (days) | Typical route |
|---|---|---|
| Southeast Asia (Bangkok, Jakarta, Manila, Ho Chi Minh) | 5 – 10 | Direct or short transshipment |
| Middle East (Jebel Ali, Dammam, Jeddah) | 15 – 20 | Direct or via Singapore |
| Europe (Rotterdam, Hamburg, Antwerp) | 25 – 35 | Direct or via transshipment hub |
| US West Coast (Los Angeles, Long Beach) | 15 – 20 | Trans-Pacific direct |
| US East Coast (New York, Savannah) | 30 – 40 | Via Panama Canal or transshipment |
Indicative transit time, confirm with forwarder. Actual schedules vary by shipping line, season, port congestion and transshipment. Add 3–7 days for customs clearance and inland delivery at destination.
We regularly ship under four INCOTERMS. The right choice depends on how much logistics control you want and whether you have a preferred forwarder.
| Term | Seller responsibility | Buyer responsibility | Best when |
|---|---|---|---|
| FOB Shanghai | Deliver goods on board vessel at Shanghai Port | Ocean freight, insurance, import clearance, destination delivery | You have a forwarder and want control over freight cost |
| CFR | Deliver on board + pay ocean freight to destination port | Insurance, import clearance, destination delivery | You want freight included but insure yourself |
| CIF | Deliver on board + ocean freight + insurance to destination port | Import clearance, destination delivery | You want a port-to-port all-in price |
| DDP | All costs to your door, including import duty and taxes | Receive goods at named destination | You want delivered-to-door with no hidden costs |
INCOTERMS 2020. DDP availability and duty calculation depend on destination country and product classification. Confirm at RFQ.
Every coil is inspected before dispatch, and the full document set travels with the shipment or is couriered in advance.
Every coil ships with an MTC documenting chemical composition, mechanical properties, heat number and dimensions. This is the primary quality document for incoming inspection at your facility.
For orders requiring independent verification, we can arrange inspection by SGS, Bureau Veritas (BV) or TÜV. Scope may include dimensional check, surface inspection, hardness test and witness of loading. Cost confirmed at order.
Itemized invoice with grade, dimensions, quantity and value. Packing list details coil-by-coil weights, dimensions and pallet configuration for customs and receiving.
Issued by the shipping line, the B/L is the contract of carriage and document of title. We provide telex release or original B/L per your instruction.
Confirms the country of origin of the goods. Required for customs clearance in most destinations and for preferential tariff treatment where applicable.
Provided when wooden pallets or dunnage are used, confirming ISPM-15 compliance. Steel pallets do not require fumigation.
For buyers sourcing fine blanking steel for automotive programs — such as seat recliners and door locks — the MTC and any PPAP-related documentation are coordinated early in the order process. If your quality system requires specific document formats or additional test reports, tell us at RFQ and we will align the document package accordingly.
Related reading: spheroidizing annealing affects how the material behaves in transit and storage, and surface finish selection determines which packaging protection level is appropriate.
These grade families share material, processing or application territory with the topic on this page.
SPHC / Q235 / Q345 scale-free coils with oil coating, cost-effective for structural and tube applications.
SAE1045 / C45 grades balancing strength and formability for induction-hardened parts.
Tell us your grade, specs, quantity and destination port. We will recommend container type, INCOTERMS and indicative transit — and confirm the full document set.