How to Inspect Steel Before Shipment — A Buyer's Checklist

Steel is rarely "wrong" in an obvious way — it looks like steel. Problems appear months later: a grade that welds badly, sections 2 mm undersized that weaken a connection design, or missing certificates that hold up a building permit. Every one of these is caught in an afternoon of inspection before loading. Here is the checklist our export team recommends to buyers, whether they buy from us or elsewhere.

Step 1 — Documents: Read the MTC Before the Steel

• EN 10204 3.1 MTC — must show heat number, chemical composition (C, Si, Mn, P, S, alloys) and mechanical results (yield, tensile, elongation, impact energy where applicable).
• Heat number traceability — the heat number on the certificate must appear stamped or stenciled on the material itself. A certificate you cannot tie to the pieces in front of you is decoration.
• Standard and grade match — check the certificate names the exact standard you ordered (e.g. "S355JR to EN 10025-2", not "equivalent to").
• Quantity and dimensions — pieces, lengths, weights per bundle should match the packing list.

Step 2 — Dimensions: Sample Against the Governing Standard

Sample at least 10% of bundles across the lot — not the first ten pieces at the front of the yard.

Step 3 — Surface and Workmanship

• Rust: light surface oxidation is normal for as-rolled steel; heavy pitting or scale flaking is not.
• Lamination: check plate edges and cut ends for layered defects.
• Weld repair marks on rolled sections should be declared — if you see unexplained weld seams on a "rolled" beam, ask.
• Primer/galvanizing: film thickness spot-check, adhesion, no bare patches.
• Marking: grade, standard and heat number stenciled or tagged on every bundle.

Step 4 — Third-Party Inspection: When and What It Costs

Schedule inspection after production, before balance payment. With T/T 30/70 terms, the balance is released against a passed inspection report — this protects both sides and is standard in the trade.

Step 5 — Loading and Packing Check

• Bundles strapped with steel strips, 2–5 t each, lift points clear.
• Container weight within road and rail limits of the destination country.
• Photos of loaded container interior (before door closure) — keeps claims simple.
• Packing list matches bundle stencils — customs dislikes surprises, so should you.

Write It Into the Contract

An inspection right you did not agree on paper is an inspection that will not happen. Specify: governing standards and tolerances, certificate type (3.1 minimum), the right of third-party inspection before shipment, payment terms tied to inspection pass, and the remedy (replacement/price adjustment) if the lot fails. Nikasteel's proforma invoices carry these clauses as standard — see our quality control process →.