China is the world’s largest producer and exporter of nails. Nails (HS code 7317000000, steel round nails, flat nails, thumbtacks, corrugated nails, etc.) belong to basic hardware and building materials. Their export has long been dominated by low cost, the whole industrial chain and large-scale production capacity. The export pattern is dominated by emerging infrastructure markets, supplemented by traditional markets, with the overall characteristics of steady increase in volume, pressure on prices, structural upgrading and increased barriers.
I. Overall scale and export data
1. Output and export volume-The annual output of domestic nails is about 4.5-4.8 million tons, and exports account for about 50% of the total output, and the dependence on exports continues to increase.
-In 2024-2025, the annual export volume of nails is about 2.65-3.12 million tons, and the export value is 1.429 billion US dollars, with an average annual growth rate of 5%-7%; The average export price is about 1080–1100 USD/ton, which fluctuates slightly due to the fluctuation of steel and zinc prices.
2. Industry status
China ranks first in nail production capacity and export volume in the world, far exceeding the competitors such as India, Turkey and Vietnam, mainly relying on industrial clusters such as Hebei, Shandong, Zhejiang and Jiangsu (Xingtai and Handan in Hebei are the largest nail producing areas in China).
II. the main export markets (in order of heat-volume)
1. Southeast Asia (the largest core market)
Vietnam, Indonesia, Philippines, Malaysia, Thailand; Benefiting from RCEP tariff reduction and infrastructure boom, it accounts for 35%-40% of China’s nail exports. Vietnam has been the single largest importer for many years, with an annual import volume of over 400,000 tons.
2. Africa
Nigeria, Kenya, Ghana, Egypt; There is a strong demand for infrastructure, housing construction and packaging. Nigeria is the largest buyer in Africa, with an annual growth rate of 14%+, and the demand for cost performance is extremely strong.
3. Middle East & Central Asia
Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Iraq, Kazakhstan; The petroleum economy drives infrastructure, and the Middle East prefers galvanized rust-proof nails, with stable orders and better repayment.
4. Latin America
Brazil, Colombia, Mexico, Peru; South America’s infrastructure+wood packaging demand, China’s nail price advantage is obvious, and the export growth rate has increased significantly in recent years.
5. Traditional European and American markets
-United States: Long-term imposition of high anti-dumping duties (about 142%), direct export is restricted, and enterprises mostly transit through Vietnam and Malaysia;
-EU: The standards for environmental protection, carbon footprint and heavy metals are becoming stricter, with middle and high-end galvanized nails and special nails as the main products, while the share of common nails is declining.
III.the export product structure
1. Mainstream products: ordinary low-carbon steel round nails (Q195/Q235 wire), accounting for 55%-60% of exports, used in construction, carpentry, packaging and pallets;
2. Increased categories: galvanized/electro-galvanized rust-proof nails, corrugated nails, U-shaped nails, special cement nails and threaded nails, with higher added value, and the proportion of exports increased year by year;
3. The proportion of low-end products decreased: black nails and non-standard nails with low added value decreased, and the industry upgraded to standardization, anti-corrosion and customization.
IV.competitive advantage and cost structure
1. Core advantages-the whole industrial chain of upstream wire rod, galvanizing and packaging is complete, and the cost is controllable;
-Large-scale production+flexible small batch customization, suitable for small and medium-sized traders around the world;
-Mature logistics network and convenient port export (mainly in Tianjin, Qingdao and Ningbo).
2. Cost structure: steel accounts for 75%-80%, zinc, labor and energy account for the rest, and the export price fluctuates with plain carbon steel and zinc ingots.
V. Main Risks and Trade Barriers
1. Anti-dumping/tariff barriers: The United States, India and the European Union launched anti-dumping investigations many times, and India raised import tariffs to directly suppress low-end orders;
2. Fluctuation of raw materials: the rising prices of steel and zinc squeeze profits, and SMEs are weak in risk resistance;
3. Homogeneous competition: domestic low-cost involution, and the rise of production capacity in Turkey, Vietnam and India diverted orders;
4. Environmental compliance: The European Union and North America strictly control heavy metals, carbon emissions and packaging recycling, and the entry threshold for low-end products has increased.
Our Hebei Five-Star Metal Products Co., Ltd. has been engaged in nail export for more than 20 years. There are more than 90 workers in the factory, and the factory adopts fully automatic and efficient production equipment. The annual output is 20000 tons. We rely on good product quality and competitive prices to export our nails to more than 40 countries including America, Africa, Europe and Southeast Asia.
Our nails have their own brands, and we can also use customers’ brands. Strictly install the customer’s requirements for packaging. Received unanimous praise from foreign customers!
If you need an honest, reliable and trustworthy long-term supplier, please contact us and look forward to cooperating with you!
Post time: May-20-2026