Knowledge base
Sourcing steel from China without the surprises
In-depth guides, threat reports, and recovery checklists for international steel buyers. Updated as new fraud patterns emerge.
Anti-Dumping Duties on Chinese Steel: What Importers Must Know
Anti-dumping duties can dwarf the price difference that made China attractive. Here is how they work, how to check coverage, and why 'routing around' them is a liability, not a fix.
Read the guideBill of Lading and Telex Release: A Steel Importer's Guide
The bill of lading controls who gets your steel. Here is how originals and telex releases differ, and the document tricks that separate buyers from cargo or cash.
Read moreWhy Is This Steel Quote So Cheap? Red Flags in China Pricing
If one quote is far below all the others, that gap is information. Here is what an impossibly cheap steel price is usually hiding.
Read moreEN 10204 3.1 vs 3.2 Mill Certificates: What the Difference Means
Not all mill certificates carry the same weight. Here is what EN 10204 2.1, 2.2, 3.1 and 3.2 actually mean and when a 3.2 is worth insisting on.
Read moreHow Much Deposit Is Normal for a China Steel Order?
The classic 30/70 split exists for a reason. Here is what deposit level is normal, when a demand for more is a warning sign, and how to protect the balance.
Read moreThe Rebar Theoretical-Weight Scam, Explained
Rebar is sold by weight, which makes weight the thing fraudsters manipulate. Here is how the under-weight scam works and how to confirm you got your tonnage.
Read moreAlibaba Trade Assurance: What It Actually Covers (and What It Doesn't)
Trade Assurance is real protection, but only within narrow limits. Here is what it covers, where it stops, and the mistakes that void it entirely.
Read moreHow to Spot a Fake Steel Factory in a Video Tour
A polished factory video proves nothing if it was filmed somewhere else. Here is how to run a live tour that a phantom factory cannot fake.
Read moreSONCAP and SASO: Steel Import Certification for Nigeria and Saudi Arabia
In Nigeria and Saudi Arabia, the wrong certificate — or none — means your steel sits at port. Here is what SONCAP and SASO require and how to keep the obligation on your supplier.
Read moreSafe Payment Terms for a First Order With a New Steel Supplier
The first order with a new supplier carries the most risk and the least trust. Here is how to structure payment so a problem costs you a delay, not a disaster.
Read moreHow to Verify an Alibaba Steel Supplier (and Spot Gold Supplier Scams)
A Gold Supplier badge tells you a company paid for a membership tier — not that it will ship the steel you ordered. Here is how to verify an Alibaba supplier properly.
Read more201 vs 304 Stainless Steel: How to Tell If You Got the Wrong Grade
201 stainless looks almost identical to 304 but costs far less and corrodes faster. Here is how the substitution scam works and how to confirm the grade you actually received.
Read moreBuying Galvanized Steel Coil from China: A Coating-Weight Guide
Galvanized coil is one of the most fraud-prone steel products because under-coating is invisible to the eye. Here is how to specify and verify coating weight so you get what you pay for.
Read moreHow to Inspect Steel Before Shipment (Without Flying to China)
You do not need to be on the factory floor to inspect steel properly — but you do need to commission the right scope at the right stage. Here is how to do it.
Read moreLetter of Credit vs T/T: Safer Payment Terms for Steel Imports
The payment method you choose is your single biggest lever against fraud. Here is how letter of credit, T/T, and escrow compare for a steel order — and when to use each.
Read moreIncoterms for Steel Imports: FOB vs CIF vs FCA Explained
Your choice of Incoterm decides who controls the cargo at the moment fraud is easiest to commit. Here is how to choose terms that keep inspection leverage on your side.
Read moreMill Test Certificate Verification: A Practical Guide for Buyers
A mill test certificate is only worth as much as your ability to confirm it independently. Here is how to check one properly instead of taking it at face value.
Read moreHow to Check a Chinese Business License on GSXT (Step by Step)
The single free check that separates a real Chinese manufacturer from a brokerage or a shell: reading the company's record on the national GSXT registry.
Read moreScammed Buying Steel From China? An Emergency Recovery Checklist
If you have just realized a steel deal was fraudulent, the first 24 to 72 hours matter more than anything else. Work through these steps in order, starting now.
Read moreThe Most Common China Steel Trade Scams in 2026
The playbook evolves every year, but the underlying moves stay the same. Here are the scams hitting steel buyers hardest in 2026 and how to recognize each one early.
Read moreHow to Verify a Chinese Steel Supplier Before You Pay (2026 Guide)
Most steel-import losses are not bad luck — they trace back to a verification step that was skipped. Here is the exact sequence to run before any money leaves your account.
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