PRICING NOTICE: Launch of two indices for cfr China ferrous scrap prices

Fastmarkets today launches two daily indices for cfr China ferrous scrap prices, reported on a US-dollar-per-tonne basis.

After the original consultation period for this proposed launch, which ended on August 9, Fastmarkets has launched its steel scrap, index, heavy recycled steel materials, cfr east China, $ per tonne and steel scrap, index, heavy recycled steel materials, cfr north China, $ per tonne, effective on Monday August 16.

The daily cfr east China ferrous scrap price is changing from an assessment to an index, while we are introducing an additional daily cfr north China ferrous scrap price index. This launch is in response to the growing number of cargoes sold into the northern China region, which have typically been trading at $10 per tonne above the cfr eastern China market.

The specifications for the east China price index are as follows:
Steel scrap, index, heavy recycled steel materials, cfr east China, $ per tonne (MB-STE-0889)
Quality: Cut structural and plate scrap, compliant with China scrap standard HRS101
Quantity: Minimum 2,000 tonnes (bulk)
Location: cfr eastern China ports
Timing: 3-10 weeks
Unit: US$ per tonne
Payment terms: Letter of credit on sight
Publication: Daily, 5-6pm Shanghai time.
Notes: Minimum thickness of 6mm, minimum diameter of 10mm, length less than 1,500mm, width less than 600mm. Maximum unit weight 1,500kg

The specifications for the north China price index are as follows:
Steel scrap, index, heavy recycled steel materials, cfr north China, $ per tonne (MB-STE-0895)
Quality: Cut structural and plate scrap, compliant with China scrap standard HRS101
Quantity: Minimum 2,000 tonnes (bulk)
Location: cfr northern China ports
Timing: 3-10 weeks
Unit: US$ per tonne
Payment terms: Letter of credit on sight
Publication: Daily, 5-6pm Shanghai time.
Notes: Minimum thickness of 6mm, minimum diameter of 10mm, length less than 1,500mm, width less than 600mm. Maximum unit weight 1,500kg

Fastmarkets’ index methodology screens outliers and applies a quantity-weighted model to ensure that the cfr China ferrous scrap prices are the most robust in the industry. Fastmarkets has no financial interest in the level or direction of the indices.

To provide feedback on these indices, or if you would like to provide price information by becoming a data submitter, please contact Tianran Zhao or Lee Allen by email at: pricing@fastmarkets.com. Please add the subject heading: “FAO: Tianran Zhao/Lee Allen, re: China scrap prices.”

To see all Fastmarkets’ pricing methodology and specification documents go to https://www.fastmarkets.com/about-us/methodology.

What to read next
The recent US-China agreement to temporarily reduce tariffs is a major step for global trade, with tariffs on US goods entering China dropping from 125% to 10% and on Chinese goods entering the US decreasing from 145% to 30% starting May 14. While this has boosted markets and created optimism, key industries like autos and steel remain affected, leaving businesses waiting for clearer long-term trade policies.
BEK pulp prices in Europe dropped $40/tonne in April, driven by US import tariff uncertainties and weaker demand in China.
The US-China trade truce announced on May 12 has brought cautious optimism to China’s non-ferrous metals markets, signaling a possible shift in global trade. Starting May 14, the removal of additional tariffs has impacted sectors like battery raw materials, minor metals and base metals such as zinc and nickel, with mixed reactions. While the improved sentiment has lifted futures prices and trade activity, the long-term effects remain unclear due to challenges like supply-demand pressures and export controls.
Here are the key takeaways from market participants on US ferrous scrap metal prices, market confidence, inventory and more from our May survey.
The rationale has been updated to include the following information: Owing to a UK public holiday on May 5, the Spodumene cif China price will next be published on May 6. This is in accordance with Fastmarkets’ pricing schedule. This price is part of the Fastmarkets’ Industrial Minerals package. The published price is unaffected by this […]
The rationales have been updated to include the following information: Owing to a UK public holiday on May 5, the Lithium carbonate cif China, Japan & Korea price and Lithium hydroxide cif China, Japan & Korea price will next be published on May 6. This is in accordance with Fastmarkets’ pricing schedule. These prices are part […]