Introduction
SKD61 remains one of the most widely used hot-work tool steels in the global market. Its demand is steady across die casting, forging, extrusion, and precision tooling. Today, more buyers are choosing Chinese mills because of faster delivery, lower costs, and a mature export system.
FCS Tool Steel Factory stands out in this environment. The company maintains large SKD61 inventories, stable quality control, and predictable lead times. For users who need real stock—not “on request” listings—FCS offers a practical supply solution.
Why Source SKD61 From China?
Strong Industrial Supply Chain
China has a complete upstream–downstream chain: steelmaking, ESR/VAR refining, forging, heat treatment, cutting, and inspection. This lowers manufacturing cost and reduces supply gaps.
Lower Production Costs
Production costs—including alloying, labor, and processing—remain significantly lower than in Europe or the United States. This is the primary reason Chinese SKD61/H13 price ranges from USD 900–2,200 per ton, while Western distributors often charge two to ten times more.
Fast Delivery & Large Inventory
Chinese mills usually keep bulk hot-work tool steel in stock. FCS maintains 1,000+ tons of SKD61/H13/1.2344 in regular sizes, enabling 6–10 day global shipment preparation.
Mature Export Experience
China exports mold steel to 60+ countries. Experienced factories handle cutting, packing, fumigation, customs documents, and mill test certificates without delays.
Global SKD61/H13 Price Comparison (2025)
|
Region |
Typical Price (USD) |
Notes |
|---|---|---|
|
China (factory-direct) |
USD 900–2,200/ton |
Largest global production base. |
|
Europe (distributors) |
USD 2,000–3,800/ton |
High labor and certification costs. |
|
USA (small-lot retail) |
USD 15–25/kg (≈ 15,000–25,000/ton) |
Very high retail markup. |
Summary
China = lowest cost + highest availability
Europe = stable supply, higher cost
USA = convenient but expensive and limited in stock
Inventory & Delivery Comparison
|
Region |
Inventory Situation |
Lead Time |
|---|---|---|
|
China |
1,000–3,000+ tons regularly in stock |
3–8 days |
|
Europe |
Medium inventory, many sizes on order |
1–4 weeks |
|
USA |
Mostly small-lot retail pieces |
1–6 weeks |
China is the only region with broad, stable stock for large-dimension SKD61 blocks.
China’s SKD61 Export & Production Situation
Annual Production Output
China produces approximately:
450,000–600,000 tons of H13/SKD61/1.2344-type hot-work tool steel annually.
This includes both ESR and non-ESR grades.
Export Distribution (Estimated by industry associations)
Top importing regions of Chinese SKD61:
- Middle East (UAE, Saudi Arabia, Turkey)
- Southeast Asia (Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia)
- South America (Brazil, Mexico, Colombia)
- Europe (Poland, Spain, Portugal, Italy)
- Africa (Egypt, South Africa, Kenya)
Market Characteristics
Southeast Asia buys mostly mold-size blocks for automotive and electronics die casting.
Middle East regions need large-dimension forged blocks for die repair.
Europe often buys ESR-grade H13 equivalents.
South America buys mixed-size SKD61 for mold shops and repair centers.
China’s ability to ship quickly and supply stable stock keeps it competitive across all these regions.
Why FCS Tool Steel Factory Is a Competitive Option
✅ Verified In‑Stock Inventory & Supply Capacity
FCS Tool Steel Factory is among the Chinese mills offering SKD61 / H13 / 1.2344 tool steel with ready stock and immediate supply capability. The factory supply capacity reach up to 2000 tons per month, and SKD61 are in “ready stock / quick delivery” status. This kind of supply readiness matters for buyers who need prompt delivery, rapid mold changes, or rush orders.
✅ Compliant Steel Grade & Quality Control
FCS states that its SKD61 steel is produced via conventional melting + refining (LF + VD + ESR + forging + annealing), and can be supplied under global standards (JIS / ASTM / DIN / GB). The use of refined steel processes such as ESR helps ensure chemical homogeneity, reduce inclusions, and improve hot‑work performance — critical for dies subjected to cyclic thermal stress. FCS also offers multiple product forms: round bars, flat bars, plates, and blocks — covering most die/mold and tooling needs worldwide.
✅ Shorter Lead Time & Export Readiness
Because of their stock-based model and integrated processing, FCS and similar Chinese mills can deliver SKD61 rapidly compared to mills relying on batch production or external supply chains. Short lead time reduces downtime, especially for urgent die replacements or molds needing quick turnaround — a strong advantage in fast-paced manufacturing environments.
For export buyers, receiving steel that conforms to internationally recognized grades (SKD61 / H13 / 1.2344 / 4Cr5MoSiV1) simplifies certification and tooling design compatibility.
✅ Flexibility & Cost‑Effectiveness for Bulk Buyers
Chinese sourcing generally tends to offer more competitive pricing than many western suppliers, especially when orders are in bulk or when customers accept FOB/EXW terms and handle shipping themselves. Combined with fast turnaround and stock availability, such supply solutions often suit customers with sustained high-volume consumption — such as die casting shops, extrusion tool suppliers, or forging tool manufacturers.
What You Should Check Before Placing an Order
While sourcing from China (or anywhere globally), prudent buyers should insist on:
Mill Test Certificate (MTC) with heat‑lot traceability, confirming chemical composition and batch number.
Standard compliance (JIS / ASTM / DIN / GB) that matches your tooling or mold design requirements.
Clear supply status — make sure material is in real stock (not “to be produced”), especially for rush orders.
Proper packaging for export — heavy tool steel requires rust protection, secure banding, and moisture-proof wrapping for overseas transport.
Appropriate heat-treatment & tempering specifications if applicable — SKD61 performs best when quenched and tempered according to recommended cycles (e.g. quench at 1020‑1050 °C + triple tempering), to reach desired hardness and thermal fatigue resistance.
By verifying these, you maximize the chance of receiving steel that performs reliably in hot‑work applications.
Conclusion
SKD61 remains essential in die casting and hot-work tooling. Buyers worldwide face rising material costs and longer delivery cycles. Chinese manufacturers—especially FCS Tool Steel Factory—offer a practical alternative with real stock, predictable delivery, and competitive pricing. With thousands of tons available, complete documentation, and a mature exporting process, FCS provides a reliable long-term supply option for companies that depend on stable SKD61/H13/1.2344 sourcing.