Today’s Price Of 201J2 And 304 Stainless Steel Coils

In today's market, the mainstream transaction price for 201J2 cold-rolled coils (2B/No.1) stands at approximately ¥8,200–8,600 per ton, while the price for 304 cold-rolled coils (2B) fluctuates within the range of ¥15,800–16,300 per ton. The price spread between the two remains at a historic high of over ¥7,500 per ton, creating a clear dividing line for procurement decisions.

 

201J2 and 304 Stainless Steel Coil Prices (April 27, 2026)

Material	Specification	Spot (CNY/ton)		April Futures (CNY/ton)		Remarks
		Cold Rolled	Hot Rolled	Cold Rolled	Hot Rolled
304	4ft	15,100	14,800	15,100	14,800	Cold-rolled is the base price
	5ft	15,200	14,800	15,200	14,800
	Narrow strip	14,750	14,750	14,750	14,750
201J2	4ft	7,600	7,400	7,600	7,400	Add +800 for J1 grade; add +450 for J1A grade
	5ft	8,100	7,400	8,100	7,400
316L	5ft	28,800	28,800	28,100	28,100
2205	5ft	28,770	-	28,770	-

 

What is the price gap between 304 and 201J2?

The fundamental reason lies in "nickel": 304-grade stainless steel contains over 8% nickel, whereas 201J2 partially substitutes nickel with manganese, copper, and nitrogen. Current nickel prices (LME) continue to fluctuate at a high range of $18,000 – $20,000 per ton, directly driving up the production costs of 304. Approximately 60–70% of the price differential per ton can be attributed to differences in raw material costs.

 

Purchasing Recommendations for Buyers:

**304:** Prices are currently hovering at a relatively high level compared to the past six months. This trend is primarily supported by fluctuations in Indonesia's nickel export policies, expectations of production cuts at major overseas steel mills, and resilient demand within the new energy sector (e.g., battery casings).
**201J2:** Prices are currently fluctuating within a trading range. Its pricing tends to track cost fluctuations in carbon steel and iron ore more closely, and is also influenced by ample domestic production capacity. Current price levels are relatively favorable for bulk buyers, offering flexibility for price negotiation.

 

Gnee maintains long-term strategic partnerships with China's major mainstream steel mills (such as TISCO, BAOSTEEL, ZPSS, JISCO, and LISCO). We maintain substantial inventory across key specifications to shorten lead times (stock items are typically ready for shipment within 3 to 7 days).
Precision Slitting and Cut-to-Length: We can process wide coils into strips of specific widths or sheets of fixed lengths, ensuring high precision and clean, neat edges.

 

201J2, 304, 316L Cold-Rolled Coil Specifications

Parameter	Specification Range	Remarks
Material Grade	201J2, 304, 316L, 2205 (Duplex Stainless Steel)	Covers applications from decorative to highly corrosive industrial environments
Thickness	0.3mm – 3.0mm (up to 6.0mm available)	Standard cold-rolled thickness range
Width	1000mm, 1219mm, 1250mm, 1500mm	Can be slit into narrow strips upon request
Surface Finish	2B, BA, No.4, HL (Hairline), 8K (Mirror), SB	PVC/PE protective film available
Standards	ASTM A240, EN 10088-2, JIS G4305, GB/T 3280	Internationally recognized standards
Coil Weight	3 – 25 tons	Adjustable according to slitting or leveling requirements
Edge Condition	Slit Edge or Mill Edge	Optional based on customer requirements

 

Customized Packaging: Tailored for maritime export, we provide reinforced wooden pallets and packaging featuring waterproof paper combined with metal edge protectors to ensure that goods remain free from rust and deformation during long-distance transit.
Third-Party Inspection: We welcome on-site inspections by international third-party agencies such as SGS, BV, and Intertek and provide original Manufacturer Test Certificates (MTCs).