What it is
Stainless steel coil and sheet resist corrosion via chromium and nickel content, used in kitchens, architecture, and chemical environments. Nickel is expensive, so the flagship fraud is substituting low-nickel grades — 201 for 304, or 304 for 316 — which a buyer cannot see.
Grades & standards buyers order
| Grade | Standard | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 201 | ASTM A240 | Low-nickel, cheaper, less corrosion-resistant — the common substitute. |
| 304 / 304L | ASTM A240 | The standard austenitic grade for general use. |
| 316 / 316L | ASTM A240 | Adds molybdenum for chloride/marine resistance; priciest of the three. |
How it's sold: Sold by metric ton in coil or sheet; specify grade, finish (2B, BA, No.4), thickness, and PMI verification.
What drives the price
- Nickel and molybdenum content (grade) — the dominant driver
- Surface finish (BA/mirror costs more)
- Thickness and width
- LME nickel price volatility
Lock these into the contract before you pay
Exact grade + PMI test
Positive material identification is the only reliable defense against 201-as-304 substitution.
Surface finish
2B, BA, and No.4 differ in price and appearance; specify exactly.
Chemistry certificate
Require full Cr/Ni/Mo analysis matched to a heat number.
Scams most common to stainless coil
Grade Substitution (lower grade shipped than ordered)
201 shipped as 304, or 304 as 316 — the classic stainless fraud, invisible without PMI or lab testing.
Forged Mill Test Certificates (MTC / EN 10204 3.1)
A 304/316 chemistry on paper for coil that is actually 201.
Bait-and-Switch Quality
A correct-grade sample followed by lower-grade production coils.
Red flags in a quote or sample
- 316 or 304 price close to 201 pricing
- Refusal to allow PMI testing at loading
- No Cr/Ni/Mo chemistry on the certificate
- Magnet-sticks claims used to "prove" grade (unreliable)
Already paid and something's wrong?
If you received off-spec stainless coil, a certificate that doesn't match, or your supplier has gone quiet after a deposit, move quickly. Recovery odds drop with every day that passes on a wire transfer.
Buying stainless coil from China: FAQ
What grades of stainless coil can I buy from China?
The most commonly ordered grades are 201, 304 / 304L, 316 / 316L. Always pair the grade with its standard on the purchase order so the mill test certificate can be matched to what you actually receive.
What is the most common scam when buying stainless coil from China?
Grade Substitution (lower grade shipped than ordered). For this product specifically: 201 shipped as 304, or 304 as 316 — the classic stainless fraud, invisible without PMI or lab testing. The defense is to specify the exact grade and standard, require a verifiable mill test certificate, and commission independent pre-shipment inspection.
What should I check before paying for stainless coil?
Lock down exact grade + pmi test, surface finish, chemistry certificate in the contract, verify the supplier is a real manufacturer, and never release the balance until an independent inspection confirms the goods.
I already paid a Chinese supplier for stainless coil — what now?
Act fast: contact your bank about a recall on the wire, gather all contracts and communications, report the pattern so others are warned, and review the documented cases to understand your options. The sooner you act on a redirected or disappeared payment, the better the odds.
Related product guides
CR coil
Smooth, tighter-tolerance flat steel for appliances and auto parts. Surface grade and hardness/temper confusion drive disputes.
GI coil
Zinc-coated flat steel for roofing and ducting. Coating-weight fraud is the defining risk because under-coating is invisible.
HR coil
The base flat product for tubes, plate, and re-rolling. Grade substitution and thickness/gauge shortfall are the primary risks.