FAQ
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Q1: Are you a manufacturer or a trading company?
We are a physical steel manufacturer located in Shandong Province, China. We own complete production lines for hot rolled, galvanized, color coated steel and structural sections, with over 10 years steel export experience. Factory inspection, workshop videos and capacity reports are available directly. No middleman markup, stable bulk supply for long-term distributors.
Q2: What international certifications do your products have, and which national standards can you meet?
Certifications: ISO9001, SGS test report, CE certificate for construction steel. We comply with GB, ASTM, EN, JIS standards. CE CPR certification for EU construction steel; BV/CCIC pre-shipment inspection for Middle East & Africa markets.
Q3: Which ports do you ship from, and which countries do you mainly export to?
Loading ports: Qingdao Port & Tianjin Port. Main export markets: Middle East, Central Asia, Southeast Asia, Africa, South America, EU, Australia. We are familiar with local customs clearance rules and steel import tariffs.
Q4: Can you customize the steel grade, thickness, width, length, and coating?
Full customization available: 1. Grades: Q235B, Q355B, SGCC, DX51D, SPHC, ASTM A36/A572 etc. 2. Size: customized thickness, width, fixed length cutting, slitting; 3. Surface: hot-dip galvanized, color coated (PE/HDP/SMP), painted anti-corrosion; 4. Deep processing: bending, punching, cutting, welded steel structure parts. Please send technical drawings for quotation.
Q5: How are steel plates, coils, and sections priced, and how is thickness classified?
Steel coils are priced per metric ton. Plate ≥6mm, sheet＜6mm. H-beam, angle steel, pipe are calculated by theoretical weight. Metric mm as standard, inch/lb conversion on request. Volume order gets tiered discount.
Q6: Can your steel products meet special requirements for high-temperature resistance, corrosion resistance, and high strength?
Yes. High-strength low alloy, weathering steel, heavy zinc coating (≥275g/m²), PVDF color coated steel for coastal construction, chemical equipment, containers. Mechanical property & salt spray test reports attached.
Q7: Can you provide samples? What are the sample costs and lead times?
1. Stock small samples free, buyer only bear courier freight (DHL/FedEx); 2. Custom processing samples need mold cost, fully refundable after bulk order; 3. Stock samples shipped in 3 days, custom samples 5-7 days. Material test certificate attached.
Q8: Is the sample quality consistent with the bulk order quality?
100% consistent. Samples cut from bulk batch raw materials. Each batch will test chemical composition, yield strength & tensile strength. Photos/videos available before shipment.
Q9: What is your minimum order quantity (MOQ), and can different specifications be mixed in one shipment?
MOQ: 5 tons for coils/sheets, 1 ton for sections & pipes. Mixed items & mixed specifications in one full container are acceptable to save sea freight cost.
Q10: How long is the quotation valid, and does the price include taxes and freight?
Quotation valid for 7 days due to volatile raw material price. Default FOB Qingdao/Tianjin tax-included price, sea freight & destination clearance excluded. CIF/CFR/DDP terms available, no hidden charges.
Q11: Do you offer price protection policies for long-term distributors?
Long-term distributors enjoy annual price lock, quarterly rebate, priority production & stable supply in peak season with formal distribution contract.
Q12: What is the standard delivery time, and can urgent orders be expedited?
Stock goods: 3-7 days loading; regular custom order: 15-25 days; special grades/large quantity: around 30 days. Rush order accepted based on production capacity, please advise deadline in advance.
Q13: What types of containers do you use, and how many metric tons can each container load?
20GP container load ~25MT, 40HQ ~55MT. Coils vertical fixed, sheets flat packed to avoid deformation during long sea transportation.
Q14: Can you arrange DDP door-to-door delivery to the customer’s warehouse?
DDP door-to-door delivery available for EU, Southeast Asia, main Middle East countries. Our forwarder handles sea freight, customs clearance, tax payment and inland delivery. Remote areas cost quoted separately.
Q15: Which payment methods do you accept, and what is the order payment process?
1. Bulk order: 30% TT deposit, 70% balance against copy of B/L; 2. Order over USD20,000: Irrevocable L/C at sight acceptable; 3. Sample & small trial order: PayPal, Wise, Western Union. Official PI, sales contract, packing list, commercial invoice provided for customs clearance.
Q16: Will the price increase if raw material costs rise after the deposit is paid?
No price adjustment after deposit received. Unit price fixed on contract, no surcharge even if raw material market fluctuates later.
Q17: How do you ensure steel quality and prevent material grade discrepancies?
Full QC process: raw material incoming inspection → production inline test → finished product lab test for chemical & mechanical properties → final recheck before loading. MTC certificate provided per shipment. Third-party SGS/BV pre-loading inspection acceptable, free rework for non-qualified goods.
Q18: How do you handle rust, deformation, or quantity shortages during sea transportation?
Seaworthy export package with anti-rust oil, moisture-proof film and steel strapping. Full loading photos & videos kept for record. We take responsibility for re-delivery or compensation for quality/shortage issues caused by our side.
Q19: What is the warranty period for your steel products?
12 months workmanship warranty. Damage from improper installation, strong salt spray coastal environment or external impact excluded. Free replacement for coating/zinc coating non-compliance problems.
Q20: What export seaworthy packaging standards do you use?
Seaworthy package: coils fixed with steel hoop + waterproof film; sheets strapped on iron/wood pallets; sections bundled tightly with anti-rust treatment. Fumigated wooden pallets available on request.
Q21: What is the complete ordering process?
1. Send specs, grade, quantity & destination port → 2. Issue PI → 3. Deposit payment → 4. Production & inspection → 5. Loading after balance settled → 6. Release B/L & shipping documents.
Q22: Can you provide a complete set of customs clearance documents?
Full set of customs documents free of charge: Commercial Invoice, Packing List, B/L, CO certificate, MTC test report. FORM A for EU, embassy attestation for Middle East countries available.
Q23: Can you obtain export licenses for steel products that require them?
According to 2026 China steel export regulation, we can apply official export license for regulated hot rolled steel, pipes and sections for legal customs declaration, avoid detention at destination port.
Q24: Can you provide shipping marks and labels according to the customs requirements of the customer’s country?
Custom shipping mark, outer package labels and product tags printed strictly per buyer’s template for easy local warehousing and customs check.
Q25: How can I obtain an accurate quotation quickly?
Kindly advise product type, material grade, dimension, quantity, destination port and processing requirement, send via WhatsApp or email, detailed quotation will be sent within 12 hours.
Q26: How can I contact you for other questions?
Contact us via WhatsApp, Email, LinkedIn or website inquiry form. Professional multilingual sales support reply within 24 working hours.