We estimate that commercial 347 stainless steel coil prices in 2025 are trading in an indicative range of ≈ USD 1,100–2,400 per metric ton depending on temper/finish (cold-rolled vs hot-rolled), coil width/thickness, mill brand, region, and current nickel/chromium surcharges. Prices remain volatile because alloy surcharges (nickel, chromium, molybdenum components and freight) and local supply-chain factors drive significant month-to-month swings.
What is 347 stainless steel?
We use grade 347 when welded fabrications must be protected from sensitization at elevated service temperatures. Type 347 is an austenitic stainless steel stabilized with niobium (columbium). That stabilization prevents chromium carbide precipitation during exposure in the sensitization range, preserving corrosion resistance after welding or prolonged high-temperature service. Typical composition brackets: ~17–19% Cr, ~9–13% Ni, low carbon with niobium additions (plus trace elements). It’s commonly referenced as UNS S34700 / AISI 347.
Why coils matter: forms, tempers and finishes
Coils are the base commercial form used to produce sheet, strip, slit coil and blanked parts. Buyers choose coils because they support slitting, stamping, and continuous roll processing, and because coils minimize handling cost per kg. Coils vary by:
-
Rolling method: cold-rolled (thin gauges, tighter tolerances) vs hot-rolled (thicker, cheaper).
-
Finish: 2B, BA, No.1, No.4, pickled and passivated — finishes change unit cost.
-
Temper / hardness: annealed (soft) vs work-hardened (higher yield) — affects use and price.
-
Coil weight: small coils (1–3 MT) command higher per-ton prices than standard mill coils (5–20 MT).
Key industrial uses that influence demand
347’s combination of weldability and high-temperature stability makes it a go-to for equipment exposed to cyclic heating: furnace parts, exhaust systems, heat-exchanger headers, petrochemical heaters, expansion joints, and some food-industry processing lines. Demand from petrochemical and power sectors — where 347’s heat resistance matters — can create regional price surges when project pipelines pick up.
How chemistry and standards affect price
347 is held to recognized standards (e.g., ASTM A240 for plate/sheet/strip). Buyers should specify the exact standard (A240 / SA240 for sheet and coil) and any additional requirements (e.g., 347H for higher carbon for creep strength). When a mill must meet more stringent mechanical or traceability requirements, the mill’s costing increases and the quoted price is higher. For critical pressure-retaining or ASME applications, tight MTCs and traceability are non-negotiable and affect price.
Market drivers for price in 2025
We track several recurring drivers that dominate the 2025 price behavior:
-
Alloy surcharges — mills add monthly surcharges tied to nickel, chromium, and molybdenum prices. These surcharges move faster than base mill sheet spreads and are a primary source of volatility.
-
Scrap availability and grade mix — stainless scrap markets (grade-specific) feed mills; shortages raise input costs.
-
Mill capacity and stock levels — lead times lengthen when inventories fall, lifting spot premiums.
-
Freight and energy — shipping costs and energy prices for hot rolling influence landed cost.
-
Currency effects & local tariffs — USD, EUR, INR fluctuations and trade measures alter regional landed prices.
-
Demand pulses in oil & gas / power projects — project awards cause local demand spikes for 347 coils.
Where possible, we recommend checking the current monthly surcharge tables from major stainless producers for the exact monthly uplift to apply to base coil prices.
Typical price bands by region
Below is an indicative price comparison for commercial (standard A240) 347 stainless steel coils in mid-2025. These are ranges for commonly traded cold-rolled or hot-rolled coils (metric ton basis) and must be used only as starting points for negotiation. Spot and contract prices will vary.
| Region | Indicative range (USD / metric ton) | Notes / drivers |
|---|---|---|
| China (mill direct / export) | USD 1,050 – 1,900 / t. | Wide spread: small domestic coils cheaper; export grade & branded mills higher. Source: Chinese supplier listings & marketplace quotes. |
| India (service centers & mills) | USD 1,150 – 1,900 / t. | Local mills + lower labour but energy & freight add. Supplier quotes show overlapping bands. |
| United States (service centers / coil distributors) | USD 1,600 – 2,400 / t. | Higher due to domestic costs, tighter specs, distribution margins. Distributors publish price bands in this region. |
| Europe (EU mills & distributors) | USD 1,600 – 2,300 / t. | Influenced by alloy surcharge practices and energy costs. |
| Middle East (trading hubs) | USD 1,250 – 2,100 / t. | Project demand and import logistics create variability. |
Caveat: the table is compiled from contemporary supplier lists, marketplace listings and published surcharge notes — it is indicative rather than a firm quote. For procurement we always request firm mill quotes based on specific temper, finish, coil weight and delivery Incoterm.
How suppliers and mills quote: what you must specify in an RFQ
When you request prices, supply the minimum set of details so suppliers can quote accurately and avoid hidden uplifts:
-
Alloy / grade (e.g., 347 / UNS S34700).
-
Standard (e.g., ASTM A240) and any additional mechanical/chemical acceptance criteria.
-
Coil thickness range and tolerance.
-
Coil width / slit requirements.
-
Finish (2B, BA, No.4, etc.).
-
Coil weight / total tonnage and acceptable delivery schedule.
-
Incoterm (FOB mill, CIF port, DDP site).
-
Required documentation: Mill Test Certificate per EN 10204 (2.1 / 3.1 / 3.2), PMI test, hardness reports if needed.
-
Any post-treatment (pickling, passivation, special packing).
A complete RFQ reduces back-and-forth and helps you get apples-to-apples comparisons.
Cost components: how a coil price is built
A typical coil price comprises:
-
Base mill product price (raw coil cost).
-
Alloy surcharges (monthly, calculated from metal price indices).
-
Processing premiums (cold-rolling, annealing, slitting, finishing).
-
Logistics (domestic trucking, export packaging, ocean freight, insurance).
-
Tariffs & taxes (where applicable).
-
Distributor/service center margin (if buying off stock).
-
Currency conversion uplifts and hedging costs.
Understanding these elements helps buyers challenge or validate a quoted price.
Practical procurement tips
-
Buy at scale: larger coil lots reduce per-ton handling and packaging surcharges.
-
Lock in surcharges: include a surcharge cap in long term contracts to limit upside.
-
Specify acceptance tests: require MTC and PMI to avoid later rejection costs.
-
Consider local stocking: service-center stock can shorten lead time but costs more; weigh time vs price.
-
Request mill certificates (EN 10204 / 3.1 or 3.2 when needed) for critical applications.
Quality & inspection requirements we insist on
For 347 coils intended for welded or pressure applications, we insist on:
-
Full chemical analysis showing Nb (niobium) stabilization and C% limits.
-
Mechanical test: tensile, yield, elongation.
-
Hardness if specified.
-
Non-conformance reporting and traceable heat number on each coil.
-
Where project critical, independent third-party inspection or witnessed testing.
These items protect both safety and lifecycle performance.
How we monitor and validate prices
We combine these sources when we compile price guidance for clients:
-
Mill published monthly surcharges (major producers publish regionally).
-
Service center price lists and marketplace portals (Alibaba, Made-in-China, distributor pages).
-
Scrap and alloy spot quotes and freight indices (for landed cost adjustments).
-
Direct mill or distributor quotes with the exact RFQ spec.
If you need, we can prepare an RFQ template to copy-paste to suppliers to obtain firm bids — that dramatically improves quote accuracy.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. Is 347 more expensive than 304 and 316?
Yes — 347 often carries a premium over 304 because of alloy additions and stabilization processing. Compared with 316, price differences depend on nickel/molybdenum content: 316 typically carries molybdenum and can be costlier when Mo prices spike. In many markets 347 sits between 304 and 316 in cost, but local supply and demand can invert that relationship.
Q2. Should I buy cold-rolled or hot-rolled 347 coil?
Select cold-rolled for tight tolerances, thinner gauges and superior surface finish; choose hot-rolled for heavier sections or when finish is less critical. Cold-rolled coils command higher per-ton prices due to extra processing.
Q3. How do monthly alloy surcharges affect my invoice?
Mills publish monthly surcharges tied to metal indices; these are added to the base price. For contract buys, negotiate a surcharge formula or cap to reduce exposure to sudden nickel or chromium spikes.
Q4. Which certificates should I require?
Ask for an EN 10204 / 3.1 or 3.2 Mill Test Certificate for critical applications, showing full chemical and mechanical results traceable to the heat number. For non-critical parts a 2.1 MTC may suffice.
Q5. Are online marketplace prices (Alibaba, Made-in-China) reliable for budgeting?
They are useful for ballpark budgeting and to gauge supplier ranges, but do not substitute for firm mill or distributor quotes that specify finish, tolerances, and delivery terms. Marketplace listings often show wide ranges because they aggregate many suppliers and stock conditions.
