TMT Steel Buying Checklist: 20 Things to Verify Before You Purchase

Why a Checklist Matters

Steel procurement decisions are often made hurriedly on site, under pressure from contractors and delivery schedules. A systematic checklist slows you down at the right moment — before payment, not after delivery. Print this checklist or save it on your phone before you visit a dealer or accept a delivery.

Section A: Dealer Verification (Before Ordering)

1. Dealer is authorised by the brand you specified — verify on the brand's official website or CoreJoint's verified dealer list.
2. Dealer has a valid GST registration — ask for their GSTIN and verify on the GST portal (gstin.gov.in).
3. Dealer provides GST invoice — confirm this upfront, not after delivery.
4. Dealer can provide mill test certificate (MTC) for the specific lot before or at time of delivery.
5. Dealer's price is within ±5% of the CoreJoint live market rate for your city and brand.

Section B: Order Specification (When Ordering)

6. Grade confirmed in writing: Fe500D, Fe550D, or as specified by your structural engineer.
7. Diameter-wise quantities confirmed: Separate quantities for 8mm, 10mm, 12mm, 16mm, 20mm as per your bar bending schedule (BBS).
8. Brand name confirmed: Written on the purchase order, not verbal.
9. IS standard confirmed: IS 1786:2008 stated on invoice.
10. Delivery terms clarified: Ex-warehouse or delivered-to-site, and who bears freight.

Section C: At Delivery — Bar Inspection

11. IS markings visible on bars: Check raised IS:1786, grade, and brand markings on the bar surface.
12. Heat number on bundle tag matches MTC: Physical tag on the delivered bundle should match the heat number on the MTC document.
13. Weight spot-check: Weigh 5 sample bars and verify against D²/162 formula. Reject if more than 5% under.
14. Rib pattern inspection: Consistent, sharp transverse ribs. No missing or shallow ribs.
15. Surface condition: Light rust (mill scale) acceptable. Pitting, deep corrosion, or lamination — reject.

Section D: At Delivery — Documentation

16. GST invoice received: Shows brand, grade, diameter, quantity (MT), rate, GST amount, and dealer GSTIN.
17. Weighbridge slip received: Official weighment record from registered weighbridge.
18. MTC received: For the heat number corresponding to your lot.
19. Delivery challan matches invoice: Quantity and specification on challan must match invoice.
20. Payment receipt / acknowledgement: Get a receipt for any advance or full payment made.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Accepting verbal grade confirmations — get it in writing on the invoice.
• Skipping the weight check — under-diameter fraud is widespread.
• Not storing the MTC — you will need it if a structural dispute arises later.
• Allowing mixed lot deliveries without separate MTCs for each heat.

What If You Find a Discrepancy?

If bars delivered do not match the specification on your invoice: refuse the delivery, document the discrepancy (photograph the bar markings and weighbridge slip), and contact the dealer in writing. Do not allow the bars to be unloaded until the issue is resolved.