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Steel Billets Suppliers: The Largest Billet Exporting Countries
Steel billets are the semi-finished steel that rolling mills turn into rebar and wire rod. They are traded in cargoes of thousands of tonnes between steel-making regions and re-rolling countries.
The largest exporters
According to OEC trade data for 2024, world exports of steel billets were worth about USD 10.6 billion. China supplied 16.0 percent of world trade and Russia 15.3. Oman (10.5), Indonesia (9.0), Ukraine (6.2), Malaysia (5.0) and India (3.7) followed. Several suppliers sit in regions with cheap energy or large ore supply and export the surplus of their mills.
The largest buyers
Turkey (17.3 percent of world imports), Egypt (8.9), Saudi Arabia (7.6), Indonesia (7.3) and Chinese Taipei (5.5) were the largest importers in 2024. These countries have rolling mills that make rebar and wire rod for building, and they buy billets when this is cheaper than making the steel themselves.
Specification
A billet contract names the section (for example 120 by 120 or 130 by 130 millimetres), the length (often 6 or 12 metres), the steel grade such as 3SP or 5SP, the chemical analysis and the tolerance. Check the mill's test certificate and ask for an independent inspection of weight and size at loading. Quality can differ between mills with the same grade name, so look at the results of earlier shipments.
How billets are shipped
Billets go in bulk or in bundles on Handysize and Supramax ships, loaded with cranes or grabs, with cargoes from 5,000 to 40,000 tonnes. They are heavy and compact, so a ship loads to its weight limit before the holds are full, and the load must be stowed and secured with care. See deadweight tonnage.
Terms and documents
Billets are sold mostly FOB or CFR; see FOB vs CFR vs CIF. The usual documents are the mill test certificate, the inspection report, the certificate of origin, the invoice and the bill of lading; see export and import documents. Some countries apply import duties or quotas on steel, so ask a customs broker before you agree.
Price and market
The price of billets follows the market for steel and for the raw materials, scrap and iron ore, and changes quickly. Quotes are given per tonne for a section, a grade and a delivery term, and buyers compare FOB offers by adding the freight to their port. See also steel scrap and iron ore.
Sourcing billets on Comdity
Open the steel billets page to see offers and requests, or post your own listing with the grade, the section, the quantity, the origin and the port, and negotiate with offer and counteroffer.
The largest exporting and importing countries (2024)
| Top exporting countries | Share of world trade |
|---|---|
| China | 16% |
| Russia | 15.3% |
| Oman | 10.5% |
| Indonesia | 9% |
| Ukraine | 6.2% |
| Malaysia | 5% |
| India | 3.7% |
| Germany | 2.6% |
| Top importing countries | Share of world trade |
|---|---|
| Turkey | 17.3% |
| Egypt | 8.9% |
| Saudi Arabia | 7.6% |
| Indonesia | 7.3% |
| Chinese Taipei | 5.5% |
| Italy | 3.1% |
| Morocco | 2.9% |
| United States | 2.9% |
Source: OEC (BACI/CEPII), 2024, customs codes 720711, 720719. The figures count trade by every mode of transport, not only by sea.
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FOB vs CFR vs CIF · Export and import documents · Offer and counteroffer · All guides