Steel products from China: sheet, galvanised, rebar, pipes
We source rolled steel from steel mills and distributors in China. We match steel grades to GOST and check dimensions and mill certificates before shipping.
Buying in China: what you need to know
China is the world’s largest steel producer. Large steel groups — Baowu, Ansteel, HBIS, Shagang, Jianlong — make sheet, long products and pipes; production centres are in Hebei (Tangshan), Jiangsu, Shandong and Liaoning. Much galvanised and pre-painted coil is made in Shandong, and stainless steel by Tsingshan, TISCO and others. Most exports go through traders and warehouse hubs.
The first thing to consider when buying steel from China is the steel grade. Chinese GB grades do not map one-to-one to GOST: Q235 is close to St3, Q355 to low-alloy steels such as 09G2S, but the chemical composition and mechanical properties must be checked against the certificate. HRB400 and A500C rebar also differ in requirements. If the project requires GOST, this has to be built into the order. For steel structures working at low winter temperatures, we also specify impact toughness and the steel quality grade (for example Q355B, C or D).
Typical buyer mistakes: ordering “by price per tonne” without specifying thickness tolerances; galvanised steel without specifying zinc coating mass; stainless steel without checking — cheaper grade 201 arrives instead of AISI 304. A separate risk is a mill certificate that does not relate to the actual batch. A trader may attach a certificate from another heat, and without checking the numbers on the tags this will not be discovered until incoming inspection at your site.
What we do differently: we fix the steel grade, standard, tolerances and type of certificate (for example EN 10204 3.1) in the contract; at the warehouse we check tag markings against the certificate, measure thickness and coating, and verify stainless steel composition with an analyser. We deliver steel wholesale to Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan in full wagons, trucks or containers.
What we supply
Flat products
Hot-rolled and cold-rolled sheet and coil, heavy plate for steel structures and tanks, chequer plate.
Galvanised and pre-painted steel
Galvanised coil and sheet, pre-painted coil (PPGI), profiled sheet and metal roof tiles.
Rebar and wire rod
HRB400/HRB500 rebar and GOST grades, wire rod, mesh, tie wire.
Long and structural sections
I-beams, channels, angles, flat bar, round bar, wide-flange beams.
Steel pipes
Welded and seamless pipes, hollow sections, galvanised water and gas pipes.
Stainless steel
Sheet, coil, pipes and sections in AISI 304, 316L, 430 and other grades.
How we check this particular product
- Steel grade and certificate
- We check the mill certificate against the tags on the batch: heat number, grade, dimensions. We compare chemical composition and mechanical properties with GOST or project requirements.
- Dimensions and tolerances
- We measure thickness, width, diameter and length on samples from the batch and compare them with the standard’s tolerances.
- Coating
- For galvanised steel we check coating thickness with a gauge and compare it with the stated zinc mass; for PPGI — paint thickness and adhesion.
- Stainless steel
- We check composition with a portable analyser to rule out grade substitution (for example 201 instead of 304).
- Surface and packing
- We inspect the surface for rust, laminations and rolling defects, and check bundle packing and marking.
What to send for an accurate quote
- Product type and dimensions for each item
- Steel grade and standard: GOST, GB, EN, ASTM
- Tonnage or quantity per item
- For galvanised — coating mass; for PPGI — colour and paint thickness
- Certificate and testing requirements
- Delivery city, mode (wagon, truck, container) and deadline
Shipping: what to keep in mind
Weight limit
Steel hits the weight limit of a wagon, truck or container, not the volume. We calculate the load in tonnes.
Coils and long products
Coils are secured on cradles, long products on flatbeds or in open wagons. We agree stowage in advance.
Corrosion protection
Cold-rolled sheet and galvanised steel are packed against moisture, especially for long rail or multimodal transit (35–50 days).
Documents and certificates
Uzbekistan
Some rolled products, such as construction rebar, may be subject to mandatory O‘zstandart certification. We check by the HS code of each item.
Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia (EAEU)
Requirements for rolled steel depend on product type and use. We check by HS code and project requirements before purchase.
Mill certificate
A mill certificate (for example to EN 10204 3.1) for each heat and batch is the main document confirming the steel grade and properties.
Requirements depend on the exact HS code. We check them before purchase and include the cost of certification in the quote.
HS codes and duty rates
| HS code | Product | EAEU CCT rate (KZ, KG, RU) | Calculate for your country |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7208 52 990 0 | HR sheet 4.75–10 mm, not in coils | 5% | Calculate |
| 7209 16 900 0 | CR flat products 1–3 mm | 5% | Calculate |
| 7210 49 000 9 | Other galvanised flat products | 5% | Calculate |
| 7210 41 000 0 | Corrugated galvanised flat products | 5% | Calculate |
| 7214 20 000 0 | Rebar (deformed bars) | 5% | Calculate |
| 7216 31 100 0 | Channels 80–220 mm high | 5% | Calculate |
| 7306 61 990 9 | Hollow sections, wall over 2 mm | 7.5% | Calculate |
| 7219 33 100 9 | CR stainless sheet 1–3 mm, nickel ≥2.5% | 5% | Calculate |
EAEU rates are taken from the official EAEU Common Customs Tariff (EEC Council Decision No. 80), excluding preferences and temporary exemptions. For Uzbekistan and other countries the calculator uses the rate of the selected country. The final code depends on the exact product description.
Questions about this category
How does Q235 steel differ from St3?
They are grades from different standards with similar uses, but their chemical composition and property requirements do not fully match. We check the batch certificate against GOST or project requirements before purchase.
Can I buy GOST-standard steel in China?
Yes, some mills roll to GOST for export orders. This must be stated in the contract and checked against the certificate and marking.
How can I be sure a mill certificate is genuine?
We check the heat number, grade and dimensions in the certificate against the tags on bundles and coils. If in doubt, we order sample tests at an independent laboratory.
How do I avoid getting 201 stainless instead of 304?
We check the composition of every batch with a portable analyser before shipping. The grade and standard are fixed in the contract.
What is the minimum order for steel?
From a trader’s warehouse you can take a few tonnes; a mill rolling order usually starts from a batch size set by the mill. We combine small quantities into one truck or container.
What is the cheapest way to ship steel to Uzbekistan?
For large volumes rail is usually cheaper (18–30 days); for urgent and small batches, truck (12–20 days). We calculate both options.
How long does steel take?
Stock items ship within a few days. Made-to-order products depend on the mill schedule, usually 15–45 days.
Send us a request and we will calculate it for your case
We reply within an hour during business hours. An offer with factory prices usually takes 3–5 business days.