How it works
A clear path from first quote to safe delivery
SteelVerify is a free, independent resource. It will not negotiate your deal or vet a supplier for you — it gives you the knowledge and the checklist to do it properly yourself.
1 · Learn the patterns
Start in the scam library to understand the handful of fraud playbooks that account for most losses in steel imports.
Open the scam library2 · Gauge your exposure
Check the risk rating for your product category to decide how much verification the order really warrants.
See risk ratings3 · Verify before you pay
Run the supplier and the deal through the weighted verification checklist while you still hold leverage.
Start verification4 · Report if it goes wrong
If you have been targeted, follow the recovery steps fast and report the pattern to protect other buyers.
Recovery & reportingOur principles
Independent
We do not list, rank, recommend, or take referral fees from any supplier, mill, or agent. There is nothing for us to sell you.
Practical
Every page ends in a concrete action: a check to run, a question to ask, a document to verify.
Honest about limits
Our ratings and figures are illustrative, drawn from public reports and anonymized accounts — not official statistics.
When to bring in a professional
This site equips you to do the groundwork yourself. For the moments below, independent specialists are worth every cent — almost always a tiny fraction of what is at stake.
Before a high-value first order
Commission an independent on-site factory audit. It costs a fraction of a deposit and confirms a real facility operates under the contracted name.
For grade-sensitive material
Engage an inspection agency for PMI testing and, where needed, laboratory analysis — stainless 304/316, structural grades, and pressure pipe should never rely on the certificate alone.
Before shipment of any risky product
Appoint a third-party inspector for pre-shipment and container-loading supervision so substandard or short-weight material cannot be hidden.
If a deal has already gone wrong
Move fast with your bank on a wire recall, and bring in legal counsel for cross-border recovery. Our recovery page lists the steps in order.
Still have a question?
The FAQ answers the questions buyers ask most before their first China steel order.