How to Write a Stainless Steel RFQ That Gets an Accurate Quote — A 9-Point Checklist

When an enquiry says only "need SS304 round bar, please quote", the mill has to guess — and every guess becomes a clarification email, a delay, or a quote you can't compare with others. A complete RFQ gets you a firm price faster and protects you at inspection.

1. Grade — and the standard it must meet

State the grade and the specification: for example SS304 to ASTM A276 or IS 6911. The same grade name can carry different chemistry limits under different standards, and the standard decides what the Material Test Certificate (MTC) must show. If welding is involved, say so — it may point you to a low-carbon "L" grade such as SS316L.

Not sure which grade? Describe the service environment (chemicals, chlorides, temperature, indoor/outdoor) and let the mill recommend one. Our grade selector is a quick first step.

2. Product form

Round, bright round, hex, square, flat, equal angle, channel, billet or RCS. For bars, specify whether you need black / hot rolled, HRAP (hot rolled annealed & pickled) or bright (drawn, peeled or polished) — they are priced very differently.

3. Size — in the right dimension

• Round bar: diameter in mm
• Hex bar: across flats (AF), not across corners — see why AF matters
• Flat bar: width × thickness
• Angle: leg × leg × thickness
• Channel: web × flange (and thickness if critical)
• Billet / RCS: section size, e.g. 100 × 100 mm

4. Tolerance

If you machine the bar to a finished size, a standard hot-rolled tolerance may be fine. If the bar goes straight into a chuck, a collet or an automatic lathe, ask for a bright bar with a tolerance class (for example h9 or h11). Write the tolerance you need — don't assume.

5. Length

Random length, fixed length (e.g. 3 m or 6 m), or cut to length? Fixed and cut lengths reduce your scrap but can affect price and lead time. For billets, give the length your furnace or press accepts.

6. Quantity — and how you want it packed

Give quantity in MT, kg or pieces, and whether you'll accept a small tolerance on the total weight. Mention bundle weight limits if your crane or forklift has one.

7. Testing and documents

An MTC with heat number and chemical composition should be standard. If you need mechanical test results, intergranular corrosion testing, ultrasonic testing or third-party inspection, list it in the RFQ — extra testing adds time and cost, and it's much easier to plan for up front.

8. Delivery location and date

City and pin code, and the date you need material on site. This lets the mill quote freight correctly and tell you honestly whether the size is in stock or needs to be rolled.

9. Application (one line is enough)

"Pump shafts", "railings for a coastal building", "forging stock for flanges". One line of context often catches a mismatch — like SS304 specified for a chloride-rich environment — before it becomes a field failure.

A copy-paste RFQ template

You can send exactly these fields through our quote form or on WhatsApp — our sales team replies within one business day.