A complete steel-pipe RFQ contains six unambiguous specifications: process (ERW / seamless), grade (e.g. SA210 Gr A1 / IS 1239 medium class), OD, wall thickness, length, and quantity. Add coating, end finish, MTC type, and IBR/TPI requirements as separate lines. Lead time on stock sizes is typically 3-7 days; mill-direct orders run 14-30 days. Payment terms are 30-45 day credit on approved B2B accounts; advance payment for first orders.
The six-line RFQ
- 1. Process: ERW or seamless (this selects the standards family)
- 2. Grade: explicit grade designation per IS / ASTM / DIN
- 3. OD: in mm (and NB / inches if applicable)
- 4. Wall thickness or schedule (Sch 40, Sch 80, etc.)
- 5. Length: SRL / DRL / cut-to-length
- 6. Quantity: in metres or MT (declare delivery instalments if any)
Specifications buyers commonly forget
End finish: plain end, beveled (for welding), or threaded & coupled (T&C). The pipe-fitter on site can't weld a T&C end without re-cutting.
Coating: black, hot-dip galvanized (HDG), epoxy, or 3LPE for buried service. Specify coating thickness if non-standard.
MTC type: 3.1 or 3.2. 3.1 is default; 3.2 (TPI countersigned) is required for IBR or critical service.
Inspection: IBR Form III-C required? TPI by which agency? Mill in-house witnessed?
Logistics: dispatch FOR (free on rail), FOB, or destination delivery? Tarpaulin / lashing / dunnage on the truck?
Documentation: e-way bill, GST invoice, packing list, MTC, TPI report, IBR certificate as applicable.
Red flags in a steel-pipe quotation
- Rate is 15-20% below market — likely sub-spec material or refurbished pipe
- Mill name is not on the BIS-licensed mill list — verify at https://www.bis.gov.in/
- No GST mentioned in the quotation — Indian wholesaler must quote GST separately
- MTC will be "arranged later" — should accompany dispatch, not follow it
- Length tolerance not stated — mills have ±50 mm on SRL; ask for the spec
- No specified mill — the buyer cannot verify origin
| Order type | Quantity | Lead time | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stock size, single grade | < 5 MT | 3-7 days | Dispatch from Kanpur warehouse |
| Stock size, single grade | 5-50 MT | 5-10 days | Dispatch from warehouse + partner stockists |
| Mill-direct, standard grade | > 50 MT | 14-21 days | IS 1239 / SA192 / ASTM A53 |
| Mill-direct, alloy grade | > 50 MT | 21-30 days | SA213 T11/T22, NACE MR0175 |
| IBR Form III-C | any | +5-10 days | On top of base lead time |
| TPI by SGS/BV/Lloyds | any | +5-10 days | On top of base lead time |
| Default payment terms | 30-45 day credit on approved B2B accounts; advance for first orders |
|---|---|
| GST | 18% on steel pipes (HSN 7306) — quoted separately, claimable as ITC |
| Documentation | GST invoice + e-way bill + MTC + packing list standard with every dispatch |
| Dispatch types | FOR Kanpur, FOB Kanpur Goods Yard, or destination-delivery freight-included |
| Non-conformance handling | Photo + MTC review within 7 days of dispatch; replacement or credit note |
- GST Tariff HSN 7306 — Tubes, pipes and hollow profiles, welded, of iron or steel — 18% GST — GST Council, Government of India
- CBIC Notification 88/2020 (e-way bill) — E-way bill requirements for inter-state movement (Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs)
- BIS-licensed mill registry — List of BIS-licensed steel pipe manufacturers — Bureau of Indian Standards
- Request a Quote (RFQ)
- How steel pipe pricing works
- Quality, MTC & TPI
- Steel Pipe Weight Calculator
- Glossary: RFQ (Request for Quotation)
- Glossary: MOQ (Minimum Order Quantity)
- Glossary: Lead Time
- RFQ Template — 6 lines for 24h quotes
- Payment Terms — Advance vs LC vs Credit
- MOQ Benchmarks by Grade and Size
- Freight Calculation — Kanpur to North India
- Supplier Red Flags — 12-Point Checklist
- Dispute & Return Handling
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