Wholesale prices for aluminum coils fluctuate daily based on LME aluminum ingot rates. When inquiring, downstream customers are primarily concerned with two figures: the price per metric ton and the equivalent price per pound in US dollars. As an aluminum coil manufacturer, BCM Aluminum employs a transparent pricing structure: "LME Aluminum Ingot Base Price + Processing Fee + Surface Treatment Fee."
BCM quotes exclusively in US dollars (USD) and provides measurements in both metric tons (MT; 1 MT = 1,000 kg) and pounds (lb; 1 MT ≈ 2,204.62 lb). Terms are primarily FOB Chinese ports, though CIF/CFR terms to the destination port are also available.
Price Formula: Ex-works Price (Tax-inclusive) = Average LME 3-Month Aluminum Price (locked in on a monthly or weekly basis) + Alloy Processing Fee + Surface Treatment Fee + Slitting/Packaging Fee. Customers lock in the LME settlement price for the specific week when placing an order to avoid the impact of market fluctuations prior to delivery.
Base rolling fees are tiered according to alloy type and thickness. Basic processing fees apply to 1060/1100 pure aluminum (foil and cold-rolled); fees for the 3003/3105 aluminum-manganese series are approximately 8%–12% higher due to manganese alloying and the increased number of rolling passes; fees for the 5052 aluminum-magnesium series are a further 15%–20% higher. Processing fees increase as thickness decreases (below 0.2 mm) due to the greater number of passes required, whereas thicker plates (above 1.0 mm) allow for faster processing and thus incur slightly lower fees.
Surface treatment costs are added based on the specific process used. There is no additional coating fee for a mill finish; polyester (PE) coating adds approximately USD 180–240/MT; high-durability polyester (HDP) adds USD 260–340/MT; and fluorocarbon (PVDF, 70% resin) adds USD 420–550/MT. Embossed patterns (such as orange peel, stucco, or diamond/lentil patterns) incur an additional charge of USD 100–160/MT due to the extra rolling process involved. An epoxy back-coating adds another USD 40–60/MT.
Based on the current LME aluminum ingot price of approximately USD 2,500–2,700/MT, the FOB reference price ranges for standard BCM finished aluminum coils are as follows:
- 3003-H14 smooth-finish insulation/jacketing coils, 0.3–0.8mm: approx. USD 2,950–3,150/MT (USD 1.34–1.43/lb);
- 3105-H24 gutter coils, 0.5–0.7mm: approx. USD 3,050–3,250/MT (USD 1.38–1.47/lb);
- 3003/3105 HDP color-coated coils, 0.5–1.0mm: approx. USD 3,350–3,650/MT (USD 1.52–1.66/lb);
- PVDF fluorocarbon color-coated coils, 0.7–1.2mm: approx. USD 3,750–4,200/MT (USD 1.70–1.91/lb);
- 8011-O food-grade aluminum foil master coils (≥150kg/coil): approx. USD 4,100–4,600/MT (USD 1.86–2.09/lb).
The above figures serve as reference prices for standard orders (20–25 MT per container); prices may fluctuate by 5%–15% for small-batch samples, special-width slitting, or non-standard color specifications. #
- Alloy and Temper:
5052-H34 is approximately 15%–20% more expensive than 3003-H14; "O" temper (soft) material costs 3%–5% more than the H14 temper of the same alloy due to the additional annealing process.
- Order Volume:
Pricing is based on a single-container order (approx. 20 tons); quarterly framework agreements (exceeding 100 tons per quarter) allow for an additional 3%–5% discount; annual framework clients can lock in processing fees for six months.
- Width and Tolerance:
Slitting widths narrower than 200mm increases tool-change frequency, raising processing fees; high-precision tolerances of ±0.01mm incur additional inspection costs.
- Packaging and Trade Terms:
Standard export packaging (wooden pallets + moisture-proof film) is included; fumigated pallets, strapping, and CIF insurance are charged separately.
When inquiring, please provide: alloy grade and temper, thickness, width, surface type (plain/embossed/coated), color or color code, monthly consumption, and destination port. BCM sales representatives will respond within 24 hours, providing a specification sheet and corresponding LME price-locking options. Standard orders ship within 7–15 days, with material certificates and inspection reports included in every shipment.
Aluminum coil wholesale price is highly transparent; the key differentiators are the stability of processing fees and batch-to-batch consistency. BCM maintains a standing inventory of 2,000 tons; standard specifications can be shipped immediately based on weekly pricing, avoiding the production delays and price fluctuations associated with smaller manufacturers. For real-time weekly quotes, please submit your specification list directly.
