Fraud is not evenly distributed across products. These ratings reflect commonly reported fraud frequency and severity, so you can match your verification effort to the real exposure.
High risk
3
product categories
Elevated risk
3
product categories
Lower risk
1
product category
Galvanized & coated coil/sheet
Most common: Coating-weight fraud (under-spec Z275 / G90 / AZ150)
High risk
Coated coil is sold against a stated coating class but ships with far less zinc or aluminium-zinc than specified. The shortfall is invisible to the eye and the certificate reads correctly, so the cost only appears later as premature rust — long after the supplier has been paid.
Key checks
Independent coating-mass test on random coils at delivery.
Write exact coating class and tolerance (e.g. Z275) into the contract.
Reconcile the tested coating against the mill certificate heat numbers.
Structural sections (H/I-beam, channel, angle)
Most common: Grade substitution + short-weight rolling
High risk
A lower, cheaper grade is supplied against a certificate for a higher one, often combined with sections rolled to the light end of tolerance. In load-bearing applications the substitution is a safety issue, not just a commercial one.
Key checks
PMI test the shipped lot tied to certificate heat numbers.
Verify the mill test certificate directly with the named mill.
Weigh and measure a sample against nominal section mass.
Stainless steel (304 / 316)
Most common: 201/202 sold as 304 or 316
High risk
Low-nickel 200-series stainless looks almost identical to 304/316 but costs far less and corrodes faster. A compliant sample and certificate are shown while the bulk load is the cheaper grade, so the metal itself must be tested.
Key checks
Mandatory PMI on the shipped lot — never just the sample.
Lab chemical analysis for marine or pressure applications.
Grade-rejection rights written into the purchase contract.
Rebar (HRB400 / HRB500)
Most common: Theoretical-weight / under-rolled bar
Elevated risk
Because rebar is priced by weight, under-rolling the diameter and billing on theoretical weight quietly delivers less steel than paid for. Loose tolerance clauses in the contract provide the cover.
Key checks
Specify actual (weighed) settlement or tight mass-per-meter tolerance.
Weigh a sample of bars on arrival against nominal kg/m.
Reconcile bar count and net weight against the packing list.
Seamless & welded pipe
Most common: Under-thickness wall + faked pressure tests
Elevated risk
Pipe is supplied below the specified wall thickness or without the hydrostatic/NDT testing the certificate claims. For pressure or line-pipe service this is a direct safety risk.
Key checks
Ultrasonic or caliper wall-thickness checks across the lot.
Verify pressure-test and NDT records with the issuing mill.
Confirm API/EN certification numbers on the issuing platform.
Hot-rolled plate & coil
Most common: Negative thickness tolerance + grade swap
Elevated risk
Plate supplied consistently at the negative end of thickness tolerance, or to a lower chemistry than ordered, shaves cost per tonne while passing a casual visual check.
Key checks
Independent thickness measurement at multiple points.
PMI or lab chemistry against the ordered grade.
Head-and-tail loading supervision for coil shipments.
Wire rod & wire
Most common: Off-spec chemistry / tensile
Lower risk
Fraud is less frequent here, but chemistry or tensile properties below the ordered grade still occur, particularly for cold-heading or spring applications where properties are critical.
Key checks
Spot-check tensile and chemistry against the certificate.
Confirm the heat numbers with the mill for critical grades.
Sample-test before committing to a large repeat order.
Ratings are illustrative and based on publicly reported trade-fraud patterns, not official statistics. A "lower risk" rating never means zero risk — independent testing and document verification are advisable for every cross-border order.
Higher risk means more verification
For high-risk products, independent PMI testing, coating-weight checks, and loading supervision pay for themselves.