Why FOB price alone tells you nothing
The FOB price is the sticker price. Total cost of ownership is what actually hits your bottom line. A wire that ships at $850/tonne FOB from a distant supplier can cost more delivered than $900/tonne FOB from a nearer supplier when you add freight, duty, inventory-carrying cost and yield differences.
The four cost components buyers under-count
Beyond FOB, the four costs most buyers under-count are:freight and container availability (which vary),duty and tariff exposure (which change with trade policy),inventory-carrying cost (money tied up in transit and safety stock), andyield loss from wire that does not behave predictably in your process. Add these to FOB before comparing suppliers.
Freight from Turkey: typical costs and windows
Sea freight from Aegean ports to Northern European destinations typically takes 5–10 days. Costs vary but current market is much more stable than 2022. To US East Coast, plan on 20–25 days and check container availability at booking.
Discussfreight terms as part of the initial quote.
Duty and tariff — the hidden line item
For EU buyers, Turkish steel wire enters under the EU-Turkey Customs Union framework, meaning zero import duty on qualifying products with proper A.TR documentation. For US buyers, current tariff schedules apply and can be significant. Discuss both with a customs broker and align supplier documentation before committing.
Yield loss — the biggest hidden cost
A wire that produces 3% more scrap in your header, or that forces a slower line speed, or that needs additional inspection, is expensive regardless of its FOB. Run a sample lot on your line before committing. The productivity difference between a well-controlled supplier and a mediocre one dwarfs the FOB difference.
Frequently asked questions
Do you supply EN 10204 3.1 inspection certificates by default?
Yes. Every export shipment travels with an EN 10204 3.1 inspection certificate showing chemistry, tensile properties and dimensional data for the actual heat. This is our default, not a paid add-on.
What are your typical lead times for EU and US buyers?
Standard grades ship 2–4 weeks from PO confirmation. Add 5–10 days sea freight to European destinations and 20–25 days to US East Coast under normal conditions. Custom grades or specialty packaging may extend production time.
Can you handle small trial orders before volume commitment?
Yes. We support new customers with sample lots and small trial orders — typically 1–5 tonnes — before ramping to volume. Contact our quote desk to arrange a sample.
What documentation do you provide for EU and US customs clearance?
For EU shipments we provide A.TR movement certificate to support duty-free entry under the EU-Turkey Customs Union. For US shipments we provide certificate of origin and any HS-code-specific documentation required. Discuss requirements with our export desk.
Ready to discuss your steel wire requirement? Request a quote and our technical desk will respond within one business day.