If you import stainless steel coils, sheets, pipes, or bars, one of the most important quality documents you should request is the EN 10204 Mill Test Certificate (MTC). It verifies the material’s chemical composition, mechanical properties, heat number, and compliance with international standards, helping buyers avoid counterfeit materials and customs clearance issues. Your European or South American buyer will almost certainly ask: “Can you provide an EN 10204 3.1 or 3.2 Mill Test Certificate?”
EN 10204 is the European standard that defines four types of metallurgical inspection documents (2.1, 2.2, 3.1, 3.2). Choosing the wrong type — or accepting a non-compliant MTC — can result in rejected shipments, customs delays, and lost contracts. This guide explains exactly what each type means, when 3.1 vs 3.2 is required, and how Huaxiao Stainless Steel issues EN 10204 certificates for every coil, sheet, bar, and tube we export.
EN 10204 4 Types of Inspection Documents: Complete Comparison
Type 2.1 — Declaration of Compliance
Statement only — NO test data. Lowest cost. Suitable for non-critical general trade where buyer does not require verification of chemical or mechanical properties.
Type 2.2 — Test Report
Non-specific test results from mill laboratory. Slightly more detail than 2.1 but still not heat-specific. Limited use in B2B import trade.
Type 3.1 — Inspection Certificate ✓
Validated by the mill INDEPENDENT quality department (separate from production). Heat-specific test results with mill stamp. ACCEPTED by most B2B buyers globally.
Type 3.2 — Inspection Certificate ✓✓
THIRD-PARTY inspector (SGS, TÜV, BV, DNV, Lloyds) witnesses the testing on-site and counter-signs the certificate. MANDATORY for pressure vessels (PED), offshore, nuclear, pharma.
EN 10204 3.1 vs 3.2: 10 Differences B2B Buyers Must Understand
| Comparison Item | EN 10204 3.1 | EN 10204 3.2 |
|---|---|---|
| Issuing Authority | Mill quality dept (independent of production) | Third-party inspector (SGS, TÜV, BV, DNV, Lloyds) |
| Witness Required | No (mill self-validation) | YES — inspector on-site |
| Test Result Source | Mill laboratory | Mill lab + inspector counter-checks |
| EU Pressure Vessels (PED) | Yes (most cases) | Yes (mandatory for Cat III/IV) |
| Cost Premium vs 3.1 | Baseline | +$80–$200/inspection day |
| Lead Time Impact | Standard | +2–5 days for inspector |
| Suitable Applications | Construction, food, general, automotive | Pressure vessels, offshore, nuclear, pharma |
| Common Buyer Regions | LATAM, Asia, Africa, EU (general) | EU (PED), Norway, Brazil (Petrobras) |
| Document Validity | Per heat/lot | Per heat/lot + inspector stamp |
| Sample Size | Per EN standard | Per EN standard + witnessing protocol |
How to Choose the Right EN 10204 Type: 4-Step Procurement Decision
Step 1: Identify Your Application
Construction / food / general → 3.1 sufficient. Pressure vessel / pharma / nuclear / offshore → 3.2 required.
Step 2: Check Buyer Specification
Always read buyer RFQ first. Many EU and Petrobras (Brazil) specs explicitly state "EN 10204 3.2 required".
Step 3: Choose EN 10204 Type
Match to application + buyer spec. When in doubt, request 3.1 (we include it FREE on every shipment).
Step 4: Verify & Accept MTC
Perform 5-step verification on receipt (see next section). For 3.2, schedule inspector 2-5 days before shipment.
5-Step MTC Verification: How to Spot a Fake or Incomplete Certificate
1. Check Type & Issue Date
EN 10204 type must be clearly stamped (2.1/2.2/3.1/3.2). Issue date within 90 days. Look for type-o "3.1" spelled as "3.I" or "3l".
2. Verify Heat Number
Heat number on MTC must EXACTLY match the heat number etched on coil/bar/tube. Cross-check product marking to certificate.
3. Validate Chemical Composition
C, Cr, Ni, Mo values must match ASTM/EN grade spec. For 304: Cr 18-20%, Ni 8-10.5%. Out-of-range equals REJECT.
4. Check Mechanical Properties
Yield ≥205 MPa (304), Tensile ≥515 MPa (304). Elongation ≥40% (304). Hardness ≤92 HRB (annealed).
5. Confirm Signatures & Stamps
Mill representative signature + company stamp. For 3.2: third-party inspector signature + agency stamp (SGS/TÜV/BV/DNV/Lloyds).
Pro tip: Always cross-check the heat number etched on the stainless steel coil or printed on the bar tag against the MTC.
How EN 10204 3.2 Third-Party Inspection Works: 6-Step On-Site Process
Buyer specifies “EN 10204 3.2 certificate required” in the Purchase Order. Mill confirms acceptance and quotes inspection fee (SGS/TÜV/BV/DNV). Deposit payment opens the order.
Mill coordinates with third-party agency (SGS, TÜV SÜD, Bureau Veritas, DNV, Lloyds Register). Inspection date is locked 2-5 days after production starts. Buyer can attend remotely via video call.
Inspector witnesses spectrographic analysis of the heat using calibrated Optical Emission Spectrometer (OES). Results recorded against ASTM/EN/GB standard. Sample retained for 30 days minimum.
Tensile strength, yield strength, elongation, hardness (Brinell/Rockwell) tested on machined specimens. Inspector validates test procedure per EN 10002-1 or ASTM A370 standards.
Surface finish (2B / BA / No.4 / No.1 / 8K mirror) verified against buyer spec. Thickness tolerance per ASTM A480 / EN 10051. Edge condition (mill edge / slit edge) checked.
Mill issues 3.2 certificate containing: heat number, chemical results, mechanical results, dimensions, mill signature. Inspector counter-signs and stamps with agency seal. Original couriered with shipment, PDF emailed same day.
How Huaxiao Stainless Steel Issues EN 10204 Certificates
At Huaxiao, every stainless steel coil, sheet, bar, and tube we export comes with a fully traceable EN 10204 Mill Test Certificate. We also issue EN 10204 3.1/3.2 certificates for our Inconel alloy, Monel alloy, and Hastelloy alloy lines.
✅ 100% MTC Coverage
Every shipment — coil, sheet, bar, tube, Inconel, Monel, Hastelloy — includes a fully traceable EN 10204 3.1 Mill Test Certificate at NO extra cost.
⚡ <12h Quote Response
Sample MTC and full quote delivered within 12 hours of RFQ receipt. WhatsApp priority for urgent orders.
🏆 ISO 9001:2015 Certified Mill
Our mill is ISO 9001:2015 certified, with full batch traceability from raw material heat to finished product marking.
🔍 5+ Third-Party Agencies
Long-term partnerships with SGS, TÜV SÜD, Bureau Veritas, DNV, and Lloyds Register for 3.2 inspection worldwide.
Documents Included with Every Huaxiao Shipment
1. EN 10204 3.1 / 3.2 MTC
Mill Test Certificate (3.1 standard, 3.2 on request) with heat-specific chemical and mechanical data.
2. Commercial Invoice
Detailed invoice with HS code, country of origin, FOB/CIF value, and payment terms.
3. Packing List
Itemized list of packages, dimensions, gross/net weight, marks and numbers.
4. Bill of Lading (B/L)
Original B/L from shipping line (for sea freight) or AWB (for air freight).
5. Certificate of Origin (C/O)
Issued by China Chamber of Commerce. Required for LATAM and EU customs clearance.
6. Shipping Advice
Detailed email with vessel name, ETD/ETA, container number, and contact for tracking.
Need a sample MTC before ordering? Email [email protected] with your grade, dimensions, and quantity — we send a redacted 3.1 sample within 12 hours.
EN 10204 Compliance Across Europe & South America: 8 Buyer Markets
🇪🇺 Europe (4 Markets)
🇩🇪 Germany — TÜV SÜD / AD2000 Merkblatt
TÜV SÜD and TÜV Rheinland inspectors widely accepted. AD2000 Merkblatt mandatory for pressure equipment manufactured per German regulations.
🇮🇹 Italy — EN 10088-2 / Pressure Equipment
EN 10088-2 chemical compliance required for stainless grades. CE marking per PED 2014/68/EU for pressure vessels. TÜV Italia, RINA inspectors.
🇪🇸 Spain — UNE Standards / AENOR
UNE-EN 10088-2 for stainless steel grades. AENOR (Asociación Española de Normalización) certification common for public infrastructure projects.
🇫🇷 France — AFNOR / Bureau Veritas (BV)
AFNOR NF EN 10088-2 standards. Bureau Veritas (BV) has strong inspector network in France for 3.2 inspection of imported stainless steel.
🌎 Latin America (4 Markets)
🇧🇷 Brazil — Petrobras / INMETRO
Petrobras technical norms (N-1618, N-2562) for oil and gas applications. INMETRO certification for industrial products. SGS, BV inspectors active in Brazil.
🇨🇱 Chile — Mining (CODELCO / BHP Billiton)
Mining sector (largest copper producer) requires EN 10204 3.1 + CODELCO spec compliance. SGS Santiago office for 3.2 inspection.
🇦🇷 Argentina — ANMAT / IRAM
ANMAT (food/pharma) and IRAM standards (equivalent to ISO). Type 3.1 standard for most imports. SGS Buenos Aires for 3.2.
🇨🇴 Colombia — Ecopetrol / INVIMA
Ecopetrol (state oil company) for oil and gas projects. INVIMA for pharmaceutical applications. SGS Bogotá office for 3.2 inspection services.
Frequently Asked Questions: EN 10204 Mill Test Certificate
EN 10204 is a European (CEN) standard that defines four types of metallurgical product inspection documents: 2.1 (Declaration of Compliance), 2.2 (Test Report), 3.1 (Inspection Certificate), and 3.2 (Inspection Certificate with third-party validation). It is the most widely accepted MTC standard in EU, Latin America, and most B2B international trade.
3.1 is validated by the mill independent quality department — no third-party witness required. 3.2 requires a third-party inspector (SGS, TÜV, BV, DNV, Lloyds) to witness the testing on-site and counter-sign the certificate. 3.2 is mandatory for pressure vessels (PED Cat III/IV), offshore, nuclear, and pharmaceutical applications.
For general applications (construction, kitchen equipment, automotive), 2.2 or 3.1 is usually sufficient. For critical applications (pressure vessels per PED 2014/68/EU, food contact under EU 1935/2004, pharmaceutical), 3.1 or 3.2 is mandatory. Always check your buyer specification or local regulation before ordering.
Step 1: Check EN 10204 type stamp (2.1/2.2/3.1/3.2). Step 2: Verify heat number matches physical product marking. Step 3: Validate chemical composition (C, Cr, Ni, Mo) against ASTM/EN grade. Step 4: Check mechanical properties (yield ≥205 MPa, tensile ≥515 MPa for 304). Step 5: Confirm mill signature + inspector stamp (for 3.2). See Section 5 above for detailed guidance.
MTC (Mill Test Certificate) and MTR (Mill Test Report) are often used interchangeably, but technically MTC is the broader term covering all EN 10204 types, while MTR usually refers to type 3.1 specifically in North American usage (equivalent to EN 10204 3.1 + ASTM A6/A240 requirements).
Yes. Every Huaxiao stainless steel coil, sheet, bar, and tube shipment includes a fully traceable EN 10204 3.1 Mill Test Certificate at no extra cost. For 3.2 third-party witnessed inspection, we coordinate with SGS, TÜV SÜD, Bureau Veritas, DNV, and Lloyds Register at the buyer cost (typically $80-$200 per inspection day).
Third-party inspection (3.2) typically costs $80-$200 per inspector-day, plus the agency travel expenses. For a 20-ton container of stainless steel coil, total 3.2 cost is usually $300-$600. This is the buyer expense (FOB price is the same; CIF+inspection is buyer choice).
Standard EN 10204 3.1 does not add lead time (issued with shipment). EN 10204 3.2 adds 2-5 days to production lead time to schedule the third-party inspector. For urgent orders, we can sometimes arrange expedited inspection within 48 hours (subject to inspector availability, +$100 rush fee).
Need EN 10204 3.1 or 3.2 Certificate for Your Stainless Steel Order?
Huaxiao Stainless Steel supplies coils, sheets, bars, and tubes with EN 10204 3.1 certificates included on every shipment. Third-party 3.2 inspection is available on request. Get a quote with MTC within 12 hours.
Email: [email protected]
Phone: +86-13761906384
Address: RM557. Build #3, NO.1388, Jiangyue Road, Shanghai, China,201114.
