WHY CHINA IMPORTS
SOUTH AFRICAN CHROME
China is the world's largest producer of ferrochrome and stainless steel, yet it holds very little domestic chromite. That gap is filled overwhelmingly by South Africa, which supplies the majority of China's imported chrome ore and holds roughly 70–75% of the world's chrome reserves. For a Chinese smelter, security of ore supply is security of production.
The workhorse feed is South African UG2 concentrate — a by-product of platinum-group-metal mining, typically 40–42% Cr₂O₃ with a lower Cr:Fe ratio — blended with higher-grade metallurgical concentrate and lumpy ore. It is the cost-effective feed for China's large submerged-arc furnace base, most of which is concentrated in the Inner Mongolia ferroalloy hub.
WHAT CHINESE SMELTERS BUY
The grades we place into China most often. Exact Cr₂O₃, Cr:Fe, silica and sizing for your cargo are fixed on the independent Certificate of Analysis before shipment.
| Grade / Form | Cr₂O₃ · Cr:Fe | Typical use in China |
|---|---|---|
| UG2 Concentrate | 40–42% · 1.5–2 : 1 | Primary submerged-arc furnace feed for HC ferrochrome |
| Metallurgical Concentrate | 42–46% · ≥ 1.5 : 1 | Blend feed to lift furnace grade / Cr:Fe |
| Lumpy Ore | 38–42% · ≥ 1.5 : 1 | Direct furnace charge alongside concentrate |
| Chemical / Foundry | ~44–46% | Niche chrome-chemical and foundry-sand consumers |
Indicative ranges. Chinese buyers price and settle against certified Cr₂O₃ on a stated moisture basis, with a pro-rata price adjustment per 1% deviation and a rejection threshold — all fixed in the contract. Send your target spec and we match a parcel from a licensed mine or wash plant.
PORTS, INCOTERMS
& PARCELS
We coordinate inspection, freight and insurance through established logistics partners — loading from South African bulk ports to the main Chinese discharge ports.
| SA Load Port | China Discharge Ports | Incoterms 2020 |
|---|---|---|
| Durban | Tianjin · Lianyungang · Qingdao | CIF / CFR (or FOB Durban) |
| Richards Bay | Lianyungang · Zhanjiang | CIF / CFR (or FOB Richards Bay) |
Weight by draft survey at load port; ±10% vessel tolerance (your L/C must permit it); partial shipments and transshipment allowed where the L/C provides for them. Parcels from a 2,000 MT trial up to full Supramax / Panamax bulk cargoes.
INDEX-LINKED, BANK-SECURED
Index-Linked Price
Priced off the published South African UG2/MG chrome ore CIF China indices (Fastmarkets, Argus, SMM) ± a grade differential — a transparent benchmark both sides settle against.
L/C at Sight
Irrevocable Letter of Credit at sight against compliant shipping documents under UCP 600, confirming bank available. T/T and CAD structures also used.
Certified Quality
Independent inspection (SGS / Alfred H Knight / Intertek) at the load port — Cr₂O₃, Cr:Fe, silica and moisture certified per shipment, binding on both parties.
END-USERS FIRST
We work with real consumers and their authorised procurement — not broker daisy-chains.
Ferrochrome Smelters
HC / charge-chrome producers and their appointed ore importers running South African UG2 and lumpy feed.
Integrated Stainless Groups
Vertically integrated mills that buy ore directly for their own ferrochrome and stainless production.
Trading Houses (LOI)
Established importers and trading desks — welcome on a verifiable end-buyer LOI or ICPO basis.
How we release offers
Indicative specifications and our capability statement are shared on enquiry. Firm pricing and chemical assays are released against a verifiable Letter of Intent (LOI) or ICPO from the end-buyer or an authorised procurement officer — the standard that keeps deals principal-to-principal and off broker chains.
- Name the furnace/plant and monthly burn rate
- Confirm target Cr₂O₃ / Cr:Fe and discharge port
- Contract CIF on the published index — how real Chinese buyers trade
CHINA CHROME ORE FAQ
CIF or CFR to the main Chinese chrome-ore discharge ports — Tianjin, Lianyungang, Qingdao and Zhanjiang — loading FOB from Durban or Richards Bay.
Mainly South African UG2 and metallurgical concentrate at ~40–46% Cr₂O₃, Cr:Fe around 1.5–2:1, plus lumpy for direct furnace feed. Exact chemistry is certified per parcel.
Off the published SA UG2/MG chrome ore CIF China indices (Fastmarkets, Argus, SMM) ± a grade differential — a transparent benchmark both sides settle against, not an opaque quote.
Irrevocable L/C at sight against shipping documents (UCP 600) is standard; T/T and CAD are also used. All terms are fixed in the sale contract.
Trial shipments from 2,000 metric tons, scaling to full bulk-vessel parcels and annual offtake — many China contracts run at 10,000 tons or more per shipment.
SELLING INTO CHINA?
SEND YOUR SPEC
Tell us your target Cr₂O₃, monthly tonnage and discharge port. Real Chinese buyers and their procurement teams get a fast, specific response from our sourcing desk.