Steel Coil RFQ Checklist — What to Ask Before You Buy

The RFQ (Request for Quotation) was incomplete.

Most coil disputes begin with one problem:

The RFQ (Request for Quotation) was incomplete.

If you don’t define:

• Thickness type

• Tolerance

• Coating mass

• Width tolerance

• ID / OD

• Weight

• Packaging

• Incoterm

• Inspection terms

You are not buying steel — you are buying ambiguity.

A professional RFQ removes 90% of future disputes.

This guide gives you the exact checklist to send before requesting a quote.

SECTION 1 — BASIC MATERIAL SPECIFICATION

These are mandatory technical fields.

1. Base Metal Thickness (BMT)

Specify clearly:

• Thickness in mm (or inches)

• BMT or Total Coated Thickness

• Tolerance required

• Minimum guaranteed thickness (if structural)

Example:
0.60 mm BMT ±0.03 mm

Never write just “24 gauge.”

2. Width

Specify:

• Exact width

• Tolerance

• Slit or master coil

Example:
1000 mm ±1.0 mm

Width affects profile geometry and tube seam.

3. Steel Grade

Specify:

• Grade standard (ASTM, EN, JIS, etc.)

• Yield strength

• Tensile strength (if required)

• Intended use (roofing, purlin, tube)

Example:
Structural grade, 350 MPa minimum yield

Never write just “structural quality.”

SECTION 2 — COATING SPECIFICATION

4. Coating Type

Specify:

• Galvanized (Z)

• Galvalume (AZ)

• Prepainted (PPGI/PPGL)

5. Coating Mass

Specify clearly:

• Z100 / Z180 / Z275
• or
• G60 / G90

Avoid vague “standard coating.”

6. Paint System (If Applicable)

Specify:

• Paint chemistry (polyester, PVDF, etc.)

• Top coat thickness

• Back coat thickness

• Color code

• Film protection required

Paint system dramatically affects price.

SECTION 3 — DIMENSIONAL & SHAPE TOLERANCE

7. Thickness Tolerance

Confirm acceptable range.

Example:
±0.03 mm

8. Width Tolerance

Example:
±1 mm

9. Camber Limit

Specify maximum camber per meter.

10. Flatness Requirement

If critical (standing seam, tube strip), specify.

SECTION 4 — COIL GEOMETRY

11. Inner Diameter (ID)

Specify exact required ID:

• 508 mm
• 610 mm
• 762 mm

Must match uncoiler.

12. Maximum Outer Diameter (OD)

Specify machine limit.

Example:
Max OD 1500 mm

13. Maximum Coil Weight

Specify:

Max 5,000 kg per coil

Uncoiler protection.

14. Core Type

Paper core or steel core.

SECTION 5 — COMMERCIAL TERMS

15. Quantity

Specify:

• Total tonnage
• Coil count
• Trial vs production order

16. Incoterm

EXW / FOB / CIF / DDP

Specify port if applicable.

17. Delivery Timeline

Required shipment date.

Clarify lead time expectation.

18. Payment Terms

Specify:

• TT structure
• LC required
• Inspection hold

Example:
30% deposit, 70% after third-party inspection approval.

SECTION 6 — QUALITY CONTROL

19. Required Documentation

Request:

• Mill Test Certificate
• Heat number traceability
• Coating certificate
• Packing list
• Bill of lading

20. Inspection Requirement

State clearly:

Third-party inspection before shipment required.

Avoid arguing after coil is on water.

SECTION 7 — PACKAGING & SHIPPING

21. Packaging Standard

Specify:

• Moisture protection
• Edge protection
• Export packaging

22. Marking Requirements

Coil tag must include:

• Heat number
• Thickness
• Width
• Coating
• Weight

Traceability protection.

SECTION 8 — RISK CONTROL QUESTIONS

Ask supplier:

• Are you the producing mill?

• If trader, which mill supplies material?

• Can you provide sample MTC?

• What is zinc supplier source?

• What is coating verification method?

• What is thickness measurement method?

• Do you allow third-party inspection?

• What is rejection procedure?

These questions reveal supplier professionalism.

SECTION 9 — PRICE NORMALIZATION

When receiving quote, confirm:

• Price per kg or per metric tonne
• Trade term
• Freight inclusion
• Currency
• Zinc surcharge inclusion
• Slitting charge inclusion

Compare apples to apples.

COMPLETE RFQ TEMPLATE (COPY & SEND)

• Material:
• Thickness (BMT):
• Tolerance:
• Width:
• Width tolerance:
• Grade:
• Yield strength:
• Coating type:
• Coating mass:
• Paint system:
• ID:
• Max OD:
• Max coil weight:
• Core type:
• Quantity:
• Incoterm:
• Delivery timeline:
• Payment terms:
• Inspection required: Yes/No
• Documentation required:
• Packaging requirements:

This eliminates ambiguity.

COMMON RFQ MISTAKES

1. Using gauge instead of mm

2. Not specifying BMT vs TCT

3. Ignoring ID

4. Ignoring OD

5. Not specifying coating mass

6. Comparing quotes without unit normalization

7. No inspection clause

Most coil disputes originate from incomplete RFQ.

FAQ SECTION

Why specify BMT instead of gauge?

Gauge is ambiguous.

Should ID always be specified?

Yes.

Should I include inspection in RFQ?

Yes.

Is coating mass important?

Very.

Should I define payment structure upfront?

Yes.

Is Incoterm necessary in RFQ?

Always.

Should I specify maximum coil weight?

Yes, for uncoiler safety.

Is camber important?

For tube and standing seam, yes.

Can RFQ prevent disputes?

Dramatically.

Should I send full checklist every time?

For new supplier, absolutely.

Conclusion

A steel coil RFQ is not a formality.

It is your primary risk control document.

Professional buyers:

• Define technical details
• Define tolerances
• Define geometry
• Define inspection
• Define payment
• Define delivery

Clarity prevents conflict.

If the RFQ is precise, the transaction is controlled.

If the RFQ is vague, the dispute is predictable.