201 J1 J2 J3 Stainless Steel Coils Price Per Ton
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In 2026, the global stainless steel market remains highly volatile. Although 201 stainless steel coils are more cost-effective than 304 stainless steel coils, procurement managers still face continuous price fluctuations caused by raw material costs, export policies, freight charges, and exchange rate movements.
For buyers, understanding the differences between J1, J2, and J3 grades of stainless steel coils, as well as knowing how to lock in prices during periods of market volatility, has become increasingly important.
According to recent market reports, nickel prices, manganese prices, and Indonesia's mining and export policies continue to be the major factors driving stainless steel prices in 2026.
References:
World Steel Association (Worldsteel) - Global Production Trends.
SMM (Shanghai Metals Market) - Stainless Steel Daily Price Index.
ASTM A240 Standard Specifications for Chromium and Chromium-Nickel Stainless Steel.
What Is 201 Stainless Steel Coils?
201 stainless steel coils belong to the 200-series austenitic stainless steels. Compared with 304 stainless steel, they use manganese and nitrogen to partially replace nickel, significantly reducing production costs.
Due to their excellent formability and economical price, 201 stainless steel coils are widely used in: decorative panels, stainless steel tubes, kitchenware, elevator panels, furniture, automotive trim parts, industrial stamping components, and construction applications.
Among all 201 grades, J1, J2, and J3 are the most common commercial grades in Asia, the Middle East, South America, and Africa.
201 BA Coil
201 J3 Coil
201 J1 Coil
201 J1 J2 J3 Stainless Steel Coil Price Per Ton (2026 Reference)
Based on recent Asian export market quotations and stainless steel trading data, the approximate transaction ranges are as follows:
| Grade | Thickness | Surface | Price Range (USD/Ton FOB China) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 201 J1 Coil | 0.3–3.0mm | 2B | $1,050–1,260 |
| 201 J2 Coil | 0.3–3.0mm | 2B | $920–1,120 |
| 201 J3 Coil | 0.3–3.0mm | 2B | $850–1,020 |
| 201 BA Coil | 0.3–1.5mm | BA | $980–1,180 |
| 201 No.4 Coil | 0.5–2.0mm | No.4 | $1,020–1,250 |
tips:
Prices are adjusted every 24 hours based on prices from the Shanghai Metals Market (SMM) and the London Metal Exchange (LME). To get the most accurate "price per tonne" for your port, be sure to request a quote including freight (CIF) to lock in your final landed cost.
What are the differences between 201 J1, J2, and J3 stainless steel coils?
The 201 J1, J2, and J3 series are nickel-saving austenitic stainless steels that are very popular in the stainless steel market. Their main difference lies in the copper (Cu) and chromium (Cr) content, which directly affects the material's processing performance and corrosion resistance.
| Grade | Cu (Copper) % | Cr (Chromium) % | Hardness (HV) | Price Level |
| J1 | 0.8 - 1.2 | 13.5 - 15.0 | 160 - 200 | Highest |
| J2 | 0.4 - 0.6 | 13.0 - 14.5 | 190 - 230 | Medium |
| J3 | 0.3 - 0.5 | 12.0 - 14.0 | 210 - 250 | Lowest |
How to Choose 201 J1 J2 J3 Stainless Steel Coils?
The corrosion resistance of the J series is generally lower than that of standard 304 stainless steel, and even lower than standard 201 (L1). In humid or outdoor environments, J1 performs better than J2 and J3 because it contains relatively higher chromium (Cr) and copper content.
If you need deep drawing/stretch forming applications (such as stainless steel bowls and sinks), you should choose J1. Its higher copper content provides excellent ductility and better forming performance.
If you are only producing ordinary decorative tubes (such as security window grills and handrails), J2 is the most cost-effective choice.
J3 has the highest hardness, which means it offers better wear resistance, but it is more likely to crack during processing. It is not recommended for complex cold bending applications.
Generally, the price ranking is: J1 > J2 > J3.The price difference between each grade is usually several hundred RMB per ton.
Supplier of 201 J1 J2 J3 stainless steel coils
GNEE recommends the most suitable grade (J1 vs J2 vs J3) according to the customer's final application, such as deep drawing, bending, or decorative use, helping customers avoid material cracking or unnecessary cost waste caused by improper material selection.
Mill Test Certificate (MTC): The original mill test certificate complying with EN 10204 3.1 standards is provided with each shipment, detailing the chemical composition (Cu, Ni, Cr content) and mechanical properties.
Before each batch leaves the factory, GNEE's QC team conducts secondary inspections on thickness tolerance, width accuracy, and surface brightness.
201 J3 J2 J1 Stainless steel strip coil specification
|
Product Name |
510mm 550mm 595mm 201 J3 J2 J1 Stainless steel strip coil |
|
Length |
as required |
|
Width |
50mm-1530mm or as required |
|
Thickness |
0.3mm-3mm or as required |
|
Standard |
AISI,ASTM,DIN,JIS,GB,JIS,SUS,EN,etc |
|
Technique |
Hot rolled / cold rolled |
|
Surface Treatment |
2B/NO.1/NO.4/2D/BA/HL/8K |
|
MOQ |
1 ton , We can accept sample order. |
|
Shipment Time |
Within 7-15 workdays after receiving deposit or L/C |
|
Export Packing |
Waterproof paper, and steel strip packed. |
|
Capacity |
5000 tons/year |
Global Logistics & Protective Packaging
Multi-layer protection: Waterproof paper + plastic film + iron outer wrapping + metal/wooden pallets.
Vertical/Horizontal Packaging: Eye to Sky (vertical) or Eye to Wall (horizontal) packaging is available according to the customer's unloading preferences.
