Cheaper Chinese imports often use 201-grade steel marketed as 304. Here’s how to verify grade in 5 minutes, why 201 fails in 3 years in coastal climates, and what to put in your procurement contract.
304 vs 201 stainless steel: why the difference matters for export markets [vi]
August 9, 2026 5 min read
About this article
Is this guide applicable to small importers without a showroom?+
Yes. Most advice applies regardless of business size. Distributors without showrooms typically work on a non-exclusive basis and focus on project sales, B2B tendering, and online channels. The exclusivity and marketing investments sections are most relevant for partners with physical retail presence.
Where can I download the full checklist mentioned in this article?+
Sign in to the partner portal after your application is approved. All referenced checklists, contract templates, and marketing kits are downloadable as PDFs. Non-partners can request a sample checklist via the contact form — we share a redacted version within 48 hours.
How often is this guide updated?+
Quarterly. Last update: current quarter. Major regulatory or shipping changes (HS codes, container surcharges, regional tariffs) trigger immediate revisions. The article header shows the last-update date so you can verify currency before referencing.
Can I republish or translate this article in my local market?+
Exclusive territory distributors can republish with attribution. Non-exclusive partners may link, not republish. For translations into languages we do not yet support (FR, DE, RU, JA, KO), please contact us — we may already have a translation in progress.
Who is the author and what is their authority on this topic?+
This article is authored by the FENIER partner development team based on 10+ years of distributor onboarding across 50+ countries. Specific data points reference past project files, customs records, and partner interviews. Author byline shown in the article header.
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