Brass
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    Brass Scrap Trading Guide — Southeast Asia Markets (2026)

    Southeast Asia's growing manufacturing sector has created strong demand for brass scrap. Vietnam, Thailand, and Malaysia are emerging as major importers of European brass scrap — here's what you need to know about this dynamic market.

    Published: February 8, 2026Updated: February 14, 2026

    Southeast Asia's Rising Demand for Brass Scrap

    While China has traditionally dominated Asian metal scrap imports, Southeast Asian nations are rapidly increasing their share. Vietnam, Thailand, and Malaysia have built significant brass processing capacity, creating new opportunities for European exporters. For a complete overview of the import process, see our guide on how to import scrap metal from Europe.

    Market Overview by Country

    Vietnam

  1. Annual imports: 150,000+ MT of brass scrap
  2. Key ports: Ho Chi Minh City, Hai Phong
  3. Primary use: Plumbing fittings, electrical connectors, decorative hardware
  4. Growth rate: 12-15% annually

    5. Thailand

  5. Annual imports: 120,000+ MT of brass scrap
  6. Key ports: Laem Chabang, Bangkok
  7. Primary use: Automotive components, valve manufacturing, jewelry
  8. Growth rate: 8-10% annually

    9. Malaysia

  9. Annual imports: 80,000+ MT of brass scrap
  10. Key ports: Port Klang, Penang
  11. Primary use: Electronic connectors, marine hardware
  12. Growth rate: 10-12% annually

    13. Popular Brass Scrap Grades

    The most traded brass scrap grades in Southeast Asian markets include:

    Honey Brass (Yellow Brass)

  13. Composition: 60-65% copper, 35-40% zinc
  14. Applications: General-purpose casting and manufacturing
  15. Price benchmark: 65-70% of LME copper price

    16. Shell Cases

  16. Composition: 70% copper, 30% zinc (cartridge brass)
  17. Applications: Remelting for precision brass products
  18. Price benchmark: 72-78% of LME copper price

    19. Brass Rod Ends

  19. Composition: 58-62% copper, remainder zinc with trace lead
  20. Applications: Free-machining brass product manufacturing
  21. Price benchmark: 60-65% of LME copper price

    22. Brass Turnings

  22. Composition: Variable, typically 58-65% copper
  23. Applications: Secondary smelting, often blended with other grades
  24. Price benchmark: 55-60% of LME copper price

    25. Trade Logistics and Documentation

    Shipping brass scrap from the Netherlands to Southeast Asia involves:

  25. Transit times: 22-32 days depending on destination port
  26. Container loading: 20-22 MT per 20ft FCL
  27. Insurance: Marine cargo insurance at 110% CIF value — understand the difference between CIF and FOB before negotiating
  28. Documentation: Commercial invoice, packing list, B/L, certificate of origin, inspection certificate

    29. Regulatory Considerations

    Each Southeast Asian country has specific import regulations:

  29. Vietnam: Requires environmental impact assessment for scrap metal imports
  30. Thailand: DIW (Department of Industrial Works) import license required
  31. Malaysia: DOE (Department of Environment) approval for recyclable materials

    32. Working with experienced suppliers like Nautica Metal Scrap B.V. ensures all regulatory requirements are met before shipment, avoiding costly delays and cargo holds at destination ports. Review our supplier verification checklist for what to look for.

    Building Long-term Supply Relationships

    For Southeast Asian buyers looking to establish reliable brass scrap supply chains:

  32. Start with trial orders to verify quality and logistics
  33. Negotiate annual supply contracts for price stability
  34. Establish clear quality specifications and inspection protocols
  35. Maintain open communication channels for market updates
  36. Consider multi-grade contracts to optimize container utilization

    37. Looking for Reliable Scrap Metal Supply?

    ✓ Global Export Experience✓ Quality Inspection Guaranteed✓ Fast Delivery Worldwide

    Request Bulk Scrap Pricing

    Send your target grade, quantity, destination port, and preferred delivery term to receive a fast CIF or FOB offer from our export team.

    Contact Us for Export Inquiries

    Ready to source premium metal scrap from Netherlands? Get in touch with our export team for competitive CFR/CIF pricing to China and Asia-Pacific ports.

    Address

    Haltestraat 18, 2042 LM, Zandvoort
    Netherlands

    MOQ: 25 MT
    Monthly Capacity: 20,000 MT

    brass scrapSoutheast AsiaVietnamThailandMalaysiametal trading

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    Ready to Discuss Your Metal Scrap Requirements?

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