Materials
How to Choose PPGI
Coating weight, base metal, top-coat and application-driven selection for pre-painted galvanized steel.
Read guideKnowledge Center
Procurement Knowledge Center
Everything buyers need before requesting a quotation — practical guides, standards, and process documentation written for procurement teams.
Buying Guides
Practical guides for procurement teams
Written by sourcing specialists — focused on decisions buyers actually face.
Materials
GI vs GL — Zinc vs Aluzinc
Corrosion behavior, price positioning and typical use cases for GI and GL coated steel.
Read guideMaterials
PPGI vs PPGL
How to decide between painted galvanized and painted aluzinc for roofing and cladding projects.
Read guideSpecifications
AZ150 vs Z275
Coating mass explained — service life, standards references and typical export markets.
Read guideProcess
How to Buy Steel from China
End-to-end process — mill vs trader, payment terms, incoterms and shipping considerations.
Read guideProcess
Choosing the Right Supplier
Factory, trader, processor, stockist — matching supplier type to project size and risk profile.
Read guideProcess
Understanding MOQ
Why minimum order quantities exist, how they vary by product, and how to negotiate them.
Read guideQuality
How Inspection Works
Pre-production, in-line, and pre-shipment inspection — scope, deliverables and reports.
Read guideMaterial Selection
What material fits your project?
Start from the application — see recommended materials and specifications used in the field.
Roofing
Long service life in coastal and humid environments.
Recommended
PPGLAZ1500.5mm
Construction
Frames, decks and load-bearing components.
Recommended
HR CoilRebarStructural Sections
Home Appliances
Smooth surface for painting and stamping.
Recommended
CR CoilPPGISPCC
HVAC
Ducting, coils and heat-exchanger components.
Recommended
Galvanized SheetAluminum CoilStainless 304
Automotive
Stamping, body-in-white and structural parts.
Recommended
SPCESPHCHigh-Strength Steel
Furniture
Cabinets, office furniture and fittings.
Recommended
CR CoilPPGIStainless 201
Packaging
Cans, closures and industrial packaging.
Recommended
TinplateETPAluminum Foil
Standards Library
Specifications, equivalents and grades
A working reference for the standards buyers rely on when writing RFQs and reviewing mill test certificates.
ASTMUnited States
American Society for Testing and Materials
Common references
A653, A792, A755, A1011
OverviewApplicationsEquivalent gradesRelated guides
ENEuropean Union
European Standards
Common references
EN 10346, EN 10143, EN 10169
OverviewApplicationsEquivalent gradesRelated guides
JISJapan
Japanese Industrial Standards
Common references
G3302, G3312, G3321
OverviewApplicationsEquivalent gradesRelated guides
GBChina
Guobiao — Chinese National Standards
Common references
GB/T 2518, GB/T 12754, GB/T 14978
OverviewApplicationsEquivalent gradesRelated guides
ISOInternational
International Organization for Standardization
Common references
ISO 3575, ISO 4998, ISO 14713
OverviewApplicationsEquivalent gradesRelated guides
Procurement Process
A structured path from research to delivery
Every buyer follows a similar sequence — knowing what happens next reduces risk at each stage.
Step 1
Market Research
Understand price ranges and specification norms.
Step 2
Material Selection
Match grade and coating to the application.
Step 3
Supplier Evaluation
Review documents, capacity and export history.
Step 4
Request Quotation
Send a structured RFQ to shortlisted suppliers.
Step 5
Sample Review
Assess samples against specification and standards.
Step 6
Production
Monitor mill schedule and processing milestones.
Step 7
Inspection
Third-party inspection during and after production.
Step 8
Shipping
Export documents, freight and delivery coordination.
Step 9
After-sales Support
Claims handling, documentation and next orders.
Import & Export
Country import guides
Local requirements matter. Each guide covers process, documents, inspection, standards and shipping.
Country Guide
Importing Steel into USA
Section 232, AD/CVD and CBP entry considerations.
- Import process
- Documents
- Inspection
- Standards
- Shipping
Country Guide
Importing Steel into Saudi Arabia
SASO / SABER conformity and shipping via Jeddah / Dammam.
- Import process
- Documents
- Inspection
- Standards
- Shipping
Country Guide
Importing Steel into UAE
ESMA conformity, Jebel Ali flows and re-export patterns.
- Import process
- Documents
- Inspection
- Standards
- Shipping
Country Guide
Importing Steel into Mexico
NOM standards, IMMEX programs and Manzanillo logistics.
- Import process
- Documents
- Inspection
- Standards
- Shipping
Country Guide
Importing Steel into Nigeria
SONCAP certification and Lagos / Tin Can port considerations.
- Import process
- Documents
- Inspection
- Standards
- Shipping
Quality Control
Documented quality, not verbal promises
Buyers make better decisions when quality expectations are defined up-front.
Mill Test Certificates
Understand what MTCs report — chemistry, mechanical properties, coating mass.
Third-Party Inspection
Scope, timing and deliverables for pre-shipment inspection reports.
Acceptance Criteria
How buyers define tolerances and rejection thresholds in RFQs.
Claim Handling
Best practice for documenting non-conformity and resolving disputes.
FAQ
Frequently asked by buyers
Common questions from procurement teams sourcing industrial materials from China.
What's the difference between a factory and a trading company?
Factories produce, traders aggregate supply. Trading companies often handle smaller orders and mixed items; factories fit large single-item orders.
How long does a typical steel order take?
Standard products: 15–30 days production plus 25–40 days ocean freight, depending on destination and port congestion.
Do I need an inspection?
For first-time suppliers, pre-shipment inspection is strongly recommended. It reduces risk of specification and packaging issues.
What incoterms do Chinese suppliers usually offer?
FOB and CIF are most common. CFR and DAP are also available depending on the destination and supplier capability.
What documents do I receive with each shipment?
Commercial invoice, packing list, bill of lading, mill test certificate, and — where required — certificates of origin and inspection reports.
Can I request samples before ordering?
Yes. Sample fees and courier costs are usually borne by the buyer and often refundable against the first bulk order.
Procurement Advisor
Need Procurement Advice?
Our procurement advisors help buyers select suitable materials, understand specifications and prepare professional RFQs — before you talk to any supplier.
- Material and grade recommendations
- Specification review and RFQ drafting
- Supplier type guidance — factory, trader, processor
- Incoterms, inspection and shipping planning