The current market price for spiral welded steel pipes (SSAW) in the domestic market ranges from approximately 3,300 to 4,800 yuan per metric ton for standard bare pipes, depending on material grade, applicable standards, and ex-factory settlement terms.
For high-specification oil and gas pipelines or pipes requiring additional corrosion protection (such as 3PE or epoxy powder coating), the price will be adjusted upward based on these factors.
I. 2026 Domestic Market Price Breakdown (Uncoated Pipes)
The following are the reference ex-factory price ranges per metric ton for commonly used steel grades and standards in domestic engineering procurement:
| Application Category | Common Material & Standard | Reference Price (CNY/ton) | Core Process & Applications |
|---|---|---|---|
| General water transmission / piling structural pipe | Q235B / SY/T 5037-2018 | ¥3,300 – ¥3,700 | Municipal water supply, sewage pipelines, bridge piling, foundation pit support |
| High-strength structural / long-distance water transmission | Q355B / SY/T 5037-2018 | ¥3,500 – ¥3,900 | Urban pipeline networks with higher pressure requirements, steel structure engineering |
| General oil & gas / chemical pipelines | L245 / A106B / GB/T 9711-2017 | ¥4,000 – ¥4,500 | Medium and low-pressure gas pipelines, heating networks, industrial chemical fluid transportation |
| High-pressure long-distance pipelines (premium standard) | L360 / X52 and above / GB/T 9711 | ¥4,500 – ¥5,200+ | High-pressure natural gas trunk lines, petroleum and natural gas transmission systems (API standard applications) |
II. Anti-Corrosion Coating Surcharge (Converted to Per-Ton Basis)
If a project requires factory-applied anti-corrosion coating before delivery, the coating cost is usually first calculated on a “per square meter” basis and then converted into a per-ton price, or directly added on top of the base pipe price.
- 3PE coating (three-layer polyethylene):
Typically adds +500 – 800 CNY/ton for standard pipe sizes. - TPEP coating (external 3PE + internal fusion-bonded epoxy):
High-performance anti-corrosion system, typically adds +1,000 – 1,500 CNY/ton. - Coal tar epoxy coating (reinforced grade):
Cost-effective solution, typically adds +200 – 400 CNY/ton.
How to Convert Coating Cost into Per-Ton Price
Practical Example
Given Data:
- Steel pipe specification: OD = 529 mm, WT = 8 mm
- Theoretical weight: W = 102.79 kg/m
- External 3PE coating price: P = 50 CNY/m²
Step 1: Calculate external surface area per meter
A_out = 3.1416 × 529 ÷ 1000 ≈ 1.662 m²/m
Step 2: Calculate pipe length per ton
1000 kg ÷ 102.79 kg/m ≈ 9.73 m
(Meaning 1 ton of this pipe is approximately 9.73 meters in length)
Step 3: Calculate total coating area per ton
9.73 m × 1.662 m²/m ≈ 16.17 m²
Step 4: Convert to coating cost per ton
16.17 m² × 50 CNY/m² ≈ 808.5 CNY/ton
Final Pricing Conclusion
If the base price of bare pipe is 3,500 CNY/ton, then after applying 3PE coating, the final ex-factory price becomes:
3,500 + 808.5 = 4,308.5 CNY/ton
III. Tips for Avoiding Pitfalls in Key Procurement
Significant Price Discrepancy Between “Theoretical Weight” and “Actual Weight”:
- Theoretical Weight (settlement based on theoretical weight): Weight is calculated using a formula. Since spiral pipe production allows for a negative tolerance, the actual pipes are often lighter than the theoretical weight; therefore, the “theoretical price per metric ton” quoted by upstream manufacturers often appears very low.
- Weighed (settlement based on actual weight): Settled based on the actual weight recorded on a truck scale. While the “weighed price per metric ton” may appear to be several hundred yuan higher than the theoretical weight price at first glance, when converted to the unit price per meter, the two are often nearly identical. Be sure to lock in the settlement method when requesting quotes and signing contracts.
- Hot-Rolled Coil Market Linkage: Over 85% of the cost of spiral steel pipes depends on the price of hot-rolled coil (HRC). Since coil prices fluctuate daily, the price per metric ton for spiral pipes is typically “valid only on the day of quotation.” For bulk purchases, prices are generally locked using the “base price + processing fee” formula.