The knowledge about how GR304 sheet prices move 4×8 is crucial to support manufacturers, fabricators, procurement teams facing volatile metal markets. This article is supported by factual base capturing pricing structure, regional boundaries, and historic trends culminating strategic thinking on buying industrial commodities.
Product Overview
Material Designation: AISI 304 / UNS S30400 / EN 1.4301 / JIS SUS304
304 stainless steel is an austenitic chromium-nickel alloy, the most commonly specified grade worldwide due to its exceptional balance of corrosion resistance, formability, and cost-effectiveness.
Chemical Composition (Typical weight %)
- Chromium (Cr): 18.0-20.0%
- Nickel (Ni): 8.0-10.5%
- Manganese (Mn): Up to 2.0%
- Carbon (C): Not more than 0.08%
- Silicon (Si): Not more than 1.0%
- Phosphorus (P): Not more than 0.045%
- Sulfur (S): Not more than 0.030%
- Iron (Fe): Bal
Key Mechanical Properties
- Tensile Strength: 515-620 MPa (75-90 ksi)
- Yield Strength (0.2% offset): 205-310 MPa (30-45 ksi)
- Elongation: 40-50% (in 50 mm gauge length)
- Hardness: Not more than 201 HB (Brinell), Not more than 92 HRB (Rockwell)
- Modulus of Elasticity: 193 GPa
Common Commercial Dimensions
The 4×8 sheet size is a 4 feet by 8 feet (1219 mm x 2438 mm) panel, an industry standard in North America. Common thicknesses include:
- Gauges: 8 GA(4.18mm), 10 GA(3.42mm), 12 GA(2.66mm), 14 GA(1.90mm), 16 GA(1.52mm), 18 GA(1.21mm), 20 GA(0.91mm)
- Surface Finishes: 2B(cold-rolled, matt), BA(bright annealed), #4 (brushed), #8 (mirror-polished)
- Weight: An approximate weight of 30 to 120 kg per sheet contingent on the gauge.
Primary Application and Industries
- Chemical Processing: Vessels, heat exchangers (non-chlorinated environments)
- Appliance and Transportation: Trim, exhaust components, substructural parts
- Medical and Pharmacy: Surgical instruments, sterilized equipment
- Consumer Goods: Appliances, cutlery, sinks
Global Price per Kilogram (Current Snapshot)
As of November 2025, international spot prices for 304 cold-rolled stainless steel sheets exhibit the following ranges:
FOB Main Ports (USD/kg)
- Asia (China, South Korea, Taiwan): $2.45-2.75/kg
- Europe (Germany, Finland): $2.85-3.20/kg
- North America (USA): $3.10-3.55/kg
Accredited Pricing Sources
- Shanghai Metals Market (SMM) – November 25, 2025: 304 CR coil from China, sold at CNY 17,500-18,200/MT ($2.46-2.56/kg FOB)
- MEPS International – November 2025: 304 CR sheet from European sellers price level at price €2,650-€2,950/MT ($2.88-3.21/kg ex-works)
- Fastmarkets (Platts) – November 22, 2025: US Midwest-priced 304 CR sheet at $3.20-3.45/kg delivered
CIF Premiums into Major Centres
- Rotterdam (EU): +$150-200/MT (+$0.15-0.20/kg) from Asia
- Los Angeles (USA West Coast): +$180-250/MT from Asia
- Shanghai (China): No significant import premium over domestic pricing
- Dubai (Middle East): +$120-$180/MT from Indian and/or Asian mills
Note: Generally, 4×8 sheet formats carry an $0.08-0.15/kg premium over standard coil pricing on account of slitting, shearing, and handling costs.
Regional Sales & Pricing in Key Markets
| Country/Region | Typical Price (USD/kg) | Main Suppliers | Local Taxes/Duties | Popular Specs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| United States | $3.25–$3.65 | Outokumpu, North American Stainless, AK Steel | 25% Section 232 tariff on certain imports | 2B finish, 16–12 GA |
| European Union | $3.00–$3.40 | Aperam, Outokumpu, Acerinox | VAT 19–27%; safeguard duties on Asian imports | EN 1.4301, 2B/BA finish |
| China | $2.50–$2.80 | Baosteel, TISCO, Tsingshan | 13% VAT; export rebate 0% (discouraged) | GB/T 3280, 2B finish |
| India | $2.65–$3.00 | Jindal Stainless, SAIL | 18% GST; 7.5% basic customs duty | IS 6911, 2B finish |
| Middle East (UAE) | $2.90–$3.30 | Re-exporters, Turkish mills | 5% VAT; 0–5% import duty | ASTM A240, 2B finish |
Regional Insights
- United States: Granted, that Section 232 tariffs (25% on steel) persisted to keep higher domestic rates, ameliorating some history rather than rendering the present situation on steel and slab imports. Substantial demand from infrastructure construction and electric sectors props up premiums.
- European Union: The ongoing decarbonization agenda coupled with yet pricy energy charges keeps European production on the higher side. Safeguard quotas are in place to control Asian shipments.
- China: By virtue of being the largest producer and end-user, China runs a surplus in stainless, which dilutes pricing. The central government discourages any stainless steel product export through its harsh policies by offering no rebates.
- India: India is now an emerging competitor in exports-analyst firm reports. As of now, there are strong semis and stainless steel grinding demands which stem from basic infrastructure construction. Thirteen months after the GST roll-out, user charges are spiky.
Historical Price Volatility (Past 24 Months)
Monthly Average Price Trend (USD/kg, FOB Asia)
2023-11: $2.15 ──┐
2023-12: $2.20 │
2024-01: $2.30 │
2024-02: $2.45 │ Peak
2024-03: $2.60 ───┘
2024-04: $2.55
2024-05: $2.50
2024-06: $2.40
2024-07: $2.35
2024-08: $2.30
2024-09: $2.25 ───┐
2024-10: $2.20 │ Trough
2024-11: $2.15 ───┘
2024-12: $2.25
2025-01: $2.35
2025-02: $2.45
2025-03: $2.50
2025-04: $2.55
2025-05: $2.60
2025-06: $2.65
2025-07: $2.70
2025-08: $2.68
2025-09: $2.60
2025-10: $2.55
2025-11: $2.50Volatility Summary
- Peak: $2.60/kg in March 2024, an increase of 21% from November 2023.
- Bottom: $2.15/kg in November 2024, which is adjusted 17% lower than at the peak.
- Current: $2.50/kg in November 2025, Eastern Time; however, it signals the industry’s recovery, with a significant increase of 16% compared to last year.
Key Price Swings
- Q1 2024 – Extend them beyond Indonesian Nickel Export Ban: Indonesia’s new refined nickel ban was further enforced to push up nickel prices, a key raw material, to $20,000/MT.
- Q2–Q3 2024 – the Chinese Property-Wall Street Collapse: Demand destruction in the Chinese construction market led to the oversupply of stainless steel products. The price plummeted by 20 percent.
- Q4 2024 – European Energy Crises Relaxed: Lower natural gas prices in Europe alleviated productions expenses by stopping the increase of premiums.
- Q1 2025 – Decreases Accelerated U. S. Infrastructure Spending: Bipartisan infrastructure spending has solidified North American demand, soaring prices domestically.
- Q3 2025 – Nickel Supply Recovery: Due to the opening of the new Indonesian HPAL projects, nickel prices down to $16,500/MT, which lessened stainless expenditure downtrend.
Short-Term & Long-Term Price Trends
Next 3–6 Months Forecast (December 2025 – May 2026): NEUTRAL to SLIGHTLY BEARISH
Main Drivers:
- Nickel price could support a modest rise in stainless steel prices staying at around $16,000–$17,500/MT
- Asian demand may be negatively affected by the Chinese New Year a seasonal slowdown (January and February 2026)
- The U. S. Federal Reserve rate-policy hike, if carried out, could slow construction activities
- Forecast Range: $2.40 to $2.65/kg FOBA; $3.10 to $3.45/kg domestic USA
The analysis team deems that sideways trading is likely to continue through Q1 2026 while nickel inventories normalize. The geopolitics of Southeast Asia continues to be a wildcard issue. — CRU group, Stainless Steel Outlook, November 2025
2026–2028 Outlook: MODERATELY BULLISH
Structural Factors:
- Green Steel Revolution: CBAM from the European Union, from 2026, will hurt high-carbon inputs and strengthen low-emitting producers by means of premium pricing.
- Expansion in Electric Vehicles: Demand for stainless steel in EV battery compartments and structural components is projected to grow by 8-10% annually.
- Infrastructure Megaprojects: Multi-year undertakings in the USA, India, and the Middle East are expected to uphold the demand for stainless steel in construction.”
- Supply Discipline: Major players are curbing excess capacity, and China’s “dual controls” on energy policy are curbing low-cost production.
Some more words about the industry from the report: “We expect 304 CR sheet prices to average $2.85–3.10/kg globally by 2028, driven by decarbonization costs and sustained automotive demand.”-World Steel Association, Long-Term Stainless Outlook 2025-2030″, October 2025.
Buying Tips & Risk Hedging
Procurement Best Practices
Minimum Order Quantity (MOQ):
- For local distributors: 1–5 sheets (spot purchases)
- For mill-direct orders: 5–10 MT (one full bundle ~200 sheets)
- Import container: 20–25 MT (20ft container)
Lead-time
- Stock items: 1–3 days
- Mill production: 6–10 weeks (Asia), 8–12 weeks (Europe/USA)
- Custom finishes/sizes: 2–4 weeks additional
Terms of Payment
- Spot/Distributor: Net 30–60 days; 2% discount for prepayment
- Import: 30% deposit, 70% against B/L copy or L/C at sight
Price Risk Hedging Strategies
- Forward Contracts: Lock in prices 3–6 months ahead with mills; a typical premium of 3–5% over the spot
- LME Nickel Futures: Hedge raw material exposure (nickel represents ~40% of 304 production cost). Trade 6-ton contracts on LME.
- Supplier Price Protection Agreements (PPAs): Negotiate quarterly price caps with distributors for volume commitments
- Inventory Stocking: Buy 2–3 months inventory during price troughs (monitor working capital impact)
Red Flags for Counterfeit/Low-Quality Material
- 15% lower than market price: Since the material may be inferior or misgraded
- Manufacturer’s Test Certificate is not available: Supplies shall invariably provide EN 10204 3.1 certificates with chemical/mechanical data supplied
- Poor surface: Severe pitting, staining, or scratches will indicate that the material has been poorly handled or processed from substandard stock
- Magnetic response: 304 should not be magnetic in the annealed condition; extreme magnetism would indicate high ferrite (wrong grade)
- XRF test: If possible, you should carry out on-site chemistry tests using a handheld XRF analyzer
Insider: Always ask for positive material identification (PMI) reports and check the mill marks against producer databases-a well-known example of this is Outokumpu’s serial number verification system.
Conclusion
The pricing of 304 stainless steel sheets 4×8 continues to be affected by the complexities of nickel costs, regional trade dynamics, and end-market demand dynamics. The current price of $2.50/kg to $3.60/kg (depending on region and finish) is a recovery from the oversupply slump in 2024, with cautious optimism for 2026–2028, driven by green steel transitions and infrastructure investments.
Buyers should engage in forward contracting during times of relative stability, always have a diversified supply base of geographically spread out suppliers, and always maintain strict quality-control standards to hedge their inherent risks due to cyclical market scenarios. Keep yourself informed via trustworthy sources like SMM, MEPS, and the World Steel Association for up-to-date market information.
Sources Cited:
- Shanghai Metals Market (SMM)
- MEPS International
- Fastmarkets (Platts)
- CRU Group
- World Steel Association
Disclaimer: Prices and forecasts in this article reflect data available as of November 5, 2025, and are subject to change without notice. This analysis is for informational purposes and does not constitute financial, legal, or commercial advice. Always verify current spot prices and contractual terms directly with suppliers and industry pricing services.
