What is the physical difference between HMS 1/2 (80:20) and Shredded scrap?

Heavy Melting Steel (HMS 1/2 80:20) consists of shear-cut industrial and structural steel (minimum 1/4 inch thickness for HMS 1, 1/8 inch for HMS 2) in pieces under 5x2 feet. Shredded scrap is magnetically separated automotive and consumer scrap shredded into fist-sized pieces, offering higher bulk density and faster EAF melting cycles.

How is scrap screened for radiation and hazardous contamination?

Export terminals screen scrap with portal radiation monitors at the gate and handheld checks during loading. Load-port inspection certificates state the radiation result and the absence of sealed gas cylinders.

What delivery formats are supported for scrap?

Both bulk ocean vessels (Handysize 25,000–40,000 MT parcels for large mills in Turkey, Vietnam, and Egypt) and containerized shipments (20-foot heavy-duty containers for buyers in Pakistan, India, and Southeast Asia).

How is payment structured for international scrap buyers?

Transactions are executed via 100% Irrevocable Documentary Letter of Credit (L/C) at sight (UCP 600) issued by a prime international bank against ocean Bill of Lading, Certificate of Origin, and SGS inspection certificate.

North America · United States

US Deepwater Ferrous Scrap Gateway

847,347 tonnes of heavy melting steel and shredded scrap exported by vessel in July 2026, to ISRI specifications for EAF melters

United States deepwater scrap export terminals process end-of-life automotive and structural steel through shredders and shears, supplying scrap for electric arc furnace (EAF) and induction steelmaking worldwide. US trade data record 847,347 metric tonnes of HS 7204.49 exported by vessel in July 2026 at an average declared value of USD 516.35 per tonne, led by Turkey (295,358 tonnes), Mexico (104,090 tonnes), Taiwan (84,017 tonnes), Bangladesh (78,247 tonnes) and Vietnam (73,888 tonnes).

CBIL brokers ISRI-classified ferrous scrap from deepwater recycling yards on the Atlantic, Gulf and Pacific coasts. CBIL is a commodity brokerage: each lot is brokered between a named seller and a named buyer against independent inspection for chemistry, density and radiation clearance, with load-port certification issued by SGS or Bureau Veritas. Bulk Handysize cargoes (25,000–40,000 MT) and containerized parcels (500–2,000 MT in 20ft heavy-duty boxes) are structured on FOB port and CFR destination terms, matched to mill scrap intake and documentary L/C requirements.

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The market in figures

Declared US vessel exports, July 2026: 847,347 t (USD 437.5 million)
Average declared value: USD 516.35/t, HS 7204.49, July 2026
Leading destination steel markets: Turkey 295k t · Mexico 104k t · Taiwan 84k t · Bangladesh 78k t · Vietnam 74k t
Primary deepwater export ports: Los Angeles (113k t) · Newark (110k t) · Oakland (86k t) · New York (70k t)
Standard ISRI grades: HMS 1 · HMS 1/2 80:20 · Shredded · Plate & Structural (ISRI / ReMA specifications)

Landed values are the importing country's declared CIF, not CBIL prices.

Questions buyers ask

What is the physical difference between HMS 1/2 (80:20) and Shredded scrap?: Heavy Melting Steel (HMS 1/2 80:20) consists of shear-cut industrial and structural steel (minimum 1/4 inch thickness for HMS 1, 1/8 inch for HMS 2) in pieces under 5x2 feet. Shredded scrap is magnetically separated automotive and consumer scrap shredded into fist-sized pieces, offering higher bulk density and faster EAF melting cycles.
How is scrap screened for radiation and hazardous contamination?: Export terminals screen scrap with portal radiation monitors at the gate and handheld checks during loading. Load-port inspection certificates state the radiation result and the absence of sealed gas cylinders.
What delivery formats are supported for scrap?: Both bulk ocean vessels (Handysize 25,000–40,000 MT parcels for large mills in Turkey, Vietnam, and Egypt) and containerized shipments (20-foot heavy-duty containers for buyers in Pakistan, India, and Southeast Asia).
How is payment structured for international scrap buyers?: Transactions are executed via 100% Irrevocable Documentary Letter of Credit (L/C) at sight (UCP 600) issued by a prime international bank against ocean Bill of Lading, Certificate of Origin, and SGS inspection certificate.