Stainless Steel Washers for African Importers and Distributors
HUIHUI makes 304 and 316/316L stainless steel washers in its own factory in Jiashan, Zhejiang, and ships them FOB Ningbo or CIF to the port you name. This page is for importers, hardware distributors and project buyers in Africa: how ordering works, which grade suits your climate, and what to prepare for your country’s import checks.
Terms at a glance
| Minimum order | No minimum order quantity. You can mix sizes and standards in one order. |
|---|---|
| Lead time | Standard items usually ship within 1–2 weeks of order confirmation. Custom parts are quoted case by case. |
| Payment | T/T: 30% deposit, 70% against a copy of the bill of lading. |
| Packing | Neutral packing with your own labels as standard. Custom packaging on request. |
| Delivery | FOB Ningbo, or CIF to your named port: Durban, Lagos, Mombasa, Dar es Salaam, Tema, Abidjan, Dakar, Casablanca and others. Small lots can travel as LCL (shared container). |
| Material check | We check the grade with our own handheld XRF spectrometer (PMI) and can include the reading with your order; an independent third-party lab report is available on request. |
| Quote | Usually within one business day, on WhatsApp or by email. |
304 or 316: choosing for your climate
Coastal and humid cities such as Lagos, Durban, Mombasa, Dar es Salaam, Abidjan, Dakar and Tema expose fasteners to salt-laden air all year. For outdoor use near the sea, specify 316 (A4): its molybdenum resists the pitting that chlorides cause on 304.
Inland and drier locations such as Johannesburg, Nairobi, Addis Ababa and Kampala are usually well served by 304 (A2) for outdoor structures and roofing, and it costs less.
If a lot rusts in a way 304 should not, the material is often not what the label says. Our guide to rusting and magnetic stainless washers explains how to check, and the 304 vs 316 comparison has the details.
Typical uses
- Solar PV mounting: flat washers (DIN 125 / ISO 7089) and large-OD washers (DIN 9021) under bolts on module clamps and rails, in A2 or A4.
- Construction and roofing: DIN 9021 fender washers spread the load on sheet metal and timber; spring washers (DIN 127) for vibrating joints.
- Water, food and beverage plants: 316 or 316L where cleaning chemicals or brines are present.
- Non-standard parts: special sizes and hole shapes to your drawing or sample. Small runs are laser-cut, so there is no die to pay for.
Import checks: PVoC, SONCAP, ACID
Several African countries check imported goods for conformity before shipment or on arrival. The rules change (Kenya re-tendered its PVoC inspection contracts in February 2026), so confirm the current requirement with your clearing agent before you order. Tell us your destination at RFQ stage and we will plan the paperwork with you.
Kenya (KEBS PVoC)
Regulated goods need a Certificate of Conformity (CoC) from the inspection body appointed for the country of supply. KEBS changed its inspection providers in 2026, so check which body currently covers shipments from China before the goods are packed.
Nigeria (SONCAP)
Products need a SONCAP certificate through an approved inspection body; the application usually asks for test reports from an ISO/IEC 17025-accredited laboratory. We can arrange a third-party lab report: tell us if it must come from an accredited lab.
Egypt (ACID)
The exporter registers on CargoX and uploads the shipping documents with your ACID number; for sea freight this has to be done at least 48 hours before the vessel arrives. Send us the ACID number when you place the order.
Other countries
Tell us what your clearing agent needs. We supply the commercial invoice and packing list with HS codes 7318.22 (flat and fender washers) and 7318.21 (spring and lock washers), plus a certificate of origin on request.
Frequently asked questions
What is your minimum order quantity?
There is no minimum order quantity. You can order a single size or mix several sizes and standards in one shipment, and small lots can travel as LCL (shared container) cargo.
How long does an order take?
Standard items usually ship within 1–2 weeks of order confirmation. Custom parts are quoted case by case. Sea transit time depends on the port; your freight forwarder can confirm it.
What payment terms do you accept?
T/T with a 30% deposit and the 70% balance against a copy of the bill of lading.
Can you pack under our brand?
Yes. We pack in neutral packaging with your own labels as standard, and can make custom packaging on request.
Do you provide mill test certificates?
We cannot issue an EN 10204 3.1 mill test certificate, because our coil suppliers do not pass on the steel mill’s certificate. We check the grade with our own handheld XRF spectrometer (PMI) and can include the reading with your order, and we can arrange an independent third-party lab test report on request.
Can you ship to a landlocked country?
Yes. We ship CIF to the nearest suitable port, for example Mombasa or Dar es Salaam for Uganda and Rwanda, Dar es Salaam or Durban for Zambia, Durban for Botswana and Zimbabwe, or Djibouti for Ethiopia, and your forwarder handles the inland leg.
Send your sizes on WhatsApp
Most African buyers reach us on WhatsApp. Send the standard, size, grade and quantity, or a photo of the part, and we reply with a price, lead time and packing options.