What it is
Steel billet is semi-finished square-section steel that re-rollers turn into rebar, wire rod, and sections. Deals are large-tonnage and price-sensitive, so the dominant risks are deposit fraud on big contracts and chemistry that does not match the re-rolling requirement.
Grades & standards buyers order
| Grade | Standard | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 3SP / 5SP | GOST / trade | Common export billet chemistries (semi-killed). |
| Q235 / Q275 | GB | Chinese billet grades by strength. |
| 20MnSi | GB | Silicon-manganese billet for rebar re-rolling. |
How it's sold: Sold by metric ton, typically 120mm/150mm square, cut lengths ~6–12m. Confirm chemistry, section size, and inspection at loading.
What drives the price
- Iron-ore and scrap cost
- Chemistry / grade
- Section size and length
- Order tonnage and shipping (often bulk vessel)
Lock these into the contract before you pay
Chemistry for the end product
Billet chemistry must suit what you will re-roll; a mismatch ruins the downstream product.
Section size and length
Off-size billet jams the re-rolling line.
Payment structure for large tonnage
Big billet deals are prime deposit-fraud targets — use an LC, not an open T/T.
Scams most common to billet
Deposit-Then-Disappear
A large billet order with an attractive price used to capture a big deposit that disappears.
Grade Substitution (lower grade shipped than ordered)
Off-chemistry billet shipped, discovered only when re-rolled product fails.
Fake Bill of Lading & Ghost Shipment
For bulk shipments, a forged B/L for cargo that was never loaded.
Red flags in a quote or sample
- Unusually low price on a very large tonnage
- Pressure for a large deposit to a new supplier
- No chemistry certificate tied to the heat
Already paid and something's wrong?
If you received off-spec billet, 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 billet from China: FAQ
What grades of billet can I buy from China?
The most commonly ordered grades are 3SP / 5SP, Q235 / Q275, 20MnSi. 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 billet from China?
Deposit-Then-Disappear. For this product specifically: A large billet order with an attractive price used to capture a big deposit that disappears. 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 billet?
Lock down chemistry for the end product, section size and length, payment structure for large tonnage 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 billet — 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
Rebar
Ribbed reinforcing bar for concrete. High-volume, price-sensitive, and a frequent target for grade substitution and theoretical-weight billing.
Wire rod
Low-carbon rod in coil, drawn into wire, nails, and mesh. Grade and rimmed/killed steel confusion is the main buyer trap.
HR coil
The base flat product for tubes, plate, and re-rolling. Grade substitution and thickness/gauge shortfall are the primary risks.