Ferrous Scrap Insights
    12 min read

    Inspection Process for Ferrous Scrap Shipments (2026 Guide)

    Everything buyers need to know about pre-shipment inspection for ferrous scrap: inspection agencies, procedures, documentation, costs, and best practices.

    Published: March 12, 2026Updated: March 31, 2026

    Why Pre-Shipment Inspection Matters

    In international ferrous scrap trade, pre-shipment inspection (PSI) is the buyer's primary quality assurance mechanism. It verifies that the cargo matches contractual specifications before it leaves the seller's country.

    For steel mills spending millions on scrap procurement, inspection costs — typically 0.1–0.3% of cargo value — are negligible compared to the risk of receiving off-spec material.

    Leading Inspection Agencies

    SGS (Société Générale de Surveillance)

  1. World's largest inspection company
  2. Global network covering all major scrap export ports
  3. Industry-standard ferrous scrap inspection protocols
  4. Website: sgs.com
  5. Bureau Veritas

  6. Major French inspection and certification company
  7. Strong presence in European and Asian ports
  8. Comprehensive metals inspection services
  9. Website: bureauveritas.com
  10. Other Agencies

  11. Cotecna: — Strong in CIS and Africa
  12. Intertek: — Global coverage
  13. Alex Stewart International: — Metals specialist
  14. Inspection Scope

    1. Visual Grade Assessment

    Inspectors verify that the material matches the contracted ISRI grade:

  15. HMS 1 vs HMS 2 ratio verification
  16. Shredded steel piece size and composition
  17. Busheling coating/contamination check
  18. Used rail condition assessment
  19. 2. Weight Verification

    Container shipments:

  20. Weigh bridge measurement of each loaded container
  21. Tare weight recorded from container data plate
  22. Net weight = gross weight - tare weight
  23. Bulk vessel:

  24. Draft survey at loading port
  25. Vessel displacement before and after loading
  26. Certified by surveyor
  27. 3. Contamination Analysis

  28. Non-ferrous content (copper, aluminum, brass)
  29. Non-metallic content (wood, plastic, concrete, rubber)
  30. Moisture content
  31. Free-flowing dirt and debris
  32. 4. Radiation Screening

    MANDATORY for all ferrous scrap shipments:

  33. Gamma spectrometry using calibrated portal monitors or hand-held detectors
  34. Zero-tolerance policy for radioactive contamination
  35. Individual container and/or vehicle scanning
  36. Certificate issued for each shipment
  37. 5. Chemical Analysis

    When specified by buyer:

  38. Spectroscopic analysis of random samples
  39. Carbon, manganese, silicon, phosphorus, sulfur, copper, tin
  40. Mill certificates reviewed for used rails
  41. 6. Photo Documentation

    Comprehensive photography of:

  42. Stockpile before loading
  43. Loading process
  44. Container/hold interior during loading
  45. Sealed containers/hatches after loading
  46. Any anomalies or concerns
  47. Inspection Report Contents

    A standard PSI report includes:

    |---------|----------|

    Inspection Costs

    |---------|-------------|

    Total inspection cost typically represents 0.1–0.3% of cargo value.

    Who Pays for Inspection?

    Standard practice:

  48. Buyer-nominated inspection:: Buyer pays
  49. Seller-offered inspection:: Seller pays
  50. LC-required inspection:: Buyer pays (cost built into LC terms)
  51. Dispute-driven re-inspection:: Party at fault pays
  52. At Nautica Metal Scrap B.V., we arrange and facilitate SGS/BV inspection for every shipment as standard practice.

    Best Practices

    For Buyers

  53. Always insist on PSI — Even with trusted suppliers
  54. Specify inspection scope in the contract
  55. Review reports thoroughly before authorizing LC document presentation
  56. Retain reports for quality tracking and future reference
  57. Use the same agency for consistency across shipments
  58. For Sellers

  59. Cooperate fully with inspectors
  60. Pre-sort material before inspection to avoid delays
  61. Address discrepancies immediately
  62. Provide access to weighing and loading equipment
  63. Keep records of all inspection results
  64. Frequently Asked Questions

    Is inspection mandatory?

    Not legally in most jurisdictions, but virtually all international scrap buyers require it. It's also typically required by LCs.

    How long does inspection take?

    Container shipments: 1–2 days. Bulk vessel: 3–5 days during loading. Results typically within 2–3 working days.

    What if inspection finds problems?

    The supplier must rectify issues (remove contaminated material, adjust grade ratio) before loading. Persistent problems may lead to contract cancellation.

    Can the buyer attend inspection?

    Yes. Buyers or their representatives are welcome to attend. Nautica Metal Scrap B.V. facilitates buyer visits.

    What radiation screening standard is used?

    IAEA safety standards. All scrap must be free of radioactive contamination above background levels.

    ---

    *Every shipment from Nautica Metal Scrap B.V. is independently inspected.*

    📞 WhatsApp: +31 970 102 294 26

    📧 Email: info@nauticametalscrap.com

    Nautica Metal Scrap B.V.Quality-Assured Ferrous Scrap

    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

    scrap inspectionSGSBureau Veritaspre-shipment inspectionquality assurance

    Ready to Discuss Your Metal Scrap Requirements?

    Contact our sales team for competitive pricing, bulk orders, and customized solutions.MOQ: 25 MT | Monthly Capacity: 20,000 MT

    WhatsApp