Why incomplete RFQs slow export quotes
Most steel export delays in the first 24 hours are not mill capacity issues. They are missing RFQ fields.
A buyer writes “need galvanized coil, best price.” The export desk still cannot lock zinc coating, thickness, width, coil weight limit, packing, or documents. The reply becomes a checklist, not a price.
This guide is the checklist we use when project buyers, distributors, and fabricators request a practical quotation path.
The six fields that unlock a firm quote
| Field | What to write | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Product form | Coil, plate, sheet, pipe, bar, profile | Hot-dip galvanized coil |
| Grade / standard | Grade code + standard family | DX51D / EN 10346, or ASTM A36 |
| Size | Thickness × width, or OD × WT × length | 0.45 × 1200 mm; or 219.1 × 6.35 mm |
| Quantity | MT, pieces, or container target | 1×20’ GP (~25 MT) or 50 MT |
| Destination port | Unloading port / country | Jebel Ali, Mombasa, Santos |
| Documents | MTC type, inspection, packing notes | EN 10204 3.1 + SGS before loading |
If only three fields are ready (product, size, quantity), send them first. We can still open a file and return a short gap list within two business hours.
Grade and standard: avoid look-alike mistakes
Write the procurement standard, not only a casual grade nickname.
- Structural plate: ASTM A36 vs EN 10025 S235JR / S355JR
- Galvanized coil: DX51D, SGCC, G90—coating mass and spangle matter
- Pipe: API 5L PSL1/PSL2, ASTM A106, ERW vs seamless
- Stainless: 304/304L vs 316/316L for chloride service
If an equivalent is acceptable, say so: “1020 or commercial equivalent meeting DC01 forming.”
Size and packing: what freight actually needs
For coils, confirm thickness, width, ID (508/610 mm), max coil weight, and edge.
For plates, confirm thickness, width, length, and whether cut-to-size is required.
For pipes, confirm OD, wall, length, end finish, and plain/bevelled ends.
Export packing should match transit time and climate: VCI paper, edge protectors, steel strapping, wooden skids, and labels that carry heat/batch identity.
MTC and inspection: say what the project QA requires
- EN 10204 3.1: manufacturer’s authorized inspection representative validates results against heat/batch.
- EN 10204 3.2: buyer or official third party joins validation—only when the contract requires it.
- Third-party names (SGS, BV, TÜV, DNV, LR) can be coordinated before release when listed in the PO.
Do not wait until after loading to discover a missing PMI or hydro-test note.
How we reply after your RFQ
- Export desk reviews grade, size, and destination within 2 business hours on working days.
- If fields are missing, you get a short checklist before formal pricing.
- For urgent specs, continue on WhatsApp with the same product context.
Next step
Send grade, size, quantity, and destination port from the request a quote page, or open a product page such as DX51D galvanized coil and prefill the RFQ.
Related reading: How to verify a steel mill test certificate before shipment.