Steel HRC
Hot-Rolled Coil (HRC) is a flat steel product produced by rolling slabs above recrystallization temperature. It is used in automotive manufacturing, pipelines, structural applications, and as feedstock for cold-rolled and coated products. HRC is the benchmark flat steel product globally.
- SAE 1006/1008
- SS400
- Q235B
- A36
- FOB
- CFR
- CIF
Steel HRC, in brief.
- Common origins
- China
- India
- Japan
- South Korea
- Russia
- Common destinations
- Vietnam
- Turkey
- United States
- Thailand
- Indonesia
- Grades and specifications
- SAE 1006/1008
- SS400
- Q235B
- A36
- Incoterms
- FOB
- CFR
- CIF
- Unit of measure
- Metric Tons
What moves Steel HRC pricing
Hot-rolled coil prices via Platts/Argus/MEPS regional benchmarks: HRC FOB China, HRC ex-works Northern Europe, HRC FOB Indian, HRC Midwest US. The HRC-iron ore spread (often called 'mill margin') signals integrated mill profitability. Anti-dumping cases reshape flows quarterly: EU safeguard quotas, US Section 232, and various country-specific actions create persistent regional dispersion. Auto demand, construction starts, and white goods orders are the chief end-use drivers.
How Steel HRC cargoes are priced and settled
Standard cargo is 5,000-25,000 tonnes per parcel, with thickness 1.5-12mm and width 900-2,000mm common. Pricing is FOB China or CFR destination plus a mill premium for value-added grades (galvanized, electrical, automotive). Quotational period is typically the month of B/L plus or minus, against a published index.
Steel HRC specifications and dispute practice
Common grades: SAE 1006/1008 (commercial), API X42-X70 (line pipe), DD11/DD13 (drawing). Disputes turn on dimensional tolerance, thickness uniformity, and surface quality (scale, scratches). EN 10204 3.1 mill test certificates are universal; some buyers require 3.2 third-party certification at additional cost.
Where Steel HRC comes from and where it goes
Top exporters: China (despite 15% export tax it remains world's largest), Japan, Korea, India, Russia, Turkey, Brazil. Top importers: ASEAN region, EU, Mexico, Middle East, North Africa. The US imports relatively little HRC due to Section 232; Mexican coil flows via USMCA bypass tariffs and have grown dramatically since 2020.
Who trades Steel HRC?
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Related market pages.
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