Aluminium sheet price, week 39/2026: SMM A00 at 24,240 CNY/t

Week 39/2026 in the Chinese aluminium market ended one day early because the Shanghai Futures Exchange (SHFE) closed for the Mid-Autumn Festival from 25 to 27 September. In the last session of the week, on Thursday 24 September, the SMM A00 aluminium ingot price closed at 24,240 CNY/t, up 60 CNY/t (+0.25%) from the previous Thursday.

SMM A00 over the last six sessions, LME 3-month and Vietcombank USD rate (compiled by H&D Steel)

Aluminium sheet price, week 39/2026: key figures

The SMM A00 price refers to A00-grade aluminium ingot in warehouse in Shanghai or Wuxi and includes Chinese value-added tax. It is a raw material price; imported sheet and coil prices also include rolling fees, freight, duties and financing costs.

SMM A00 over the last six sessions

On Friday 18 September, A00 rose by 200 CNY/t to 24,380 CNY/t, the highest level in the last six sessions. In week 39 the price fell for three straight sessions on 21, 22 and 23 September to 24,240 CNY/t, then held steady on 24 September. It therefore stands 140 CNY/t below the 18 September peak, but is still 60 CNY/t above Thursday 17 September (24,180 CNY/t).

Inventory is worth watching. According to SMM statistics published on 24 September, aluminium ingot stocks in China's main consumption areas fell sharply for two weeks in a row ahead of the holidays, by about 118,000 tonnes in total, the steepest drop for this period in recent years. SMM sees the pre-holiday destocking as a support for aluminium prices at high levels.

LME and exchange rate: two reference lines

On the London Metal Exchange (LME), three-month aluminium settled at 3,252.5 USD/t on 24 September, 32.5 USD/t lower than on 17 September. The international price edged down in week 39 while the Chinese domestic price edged up, so LME alone should not be used to infer the price of sheet imported from China.

As for the exchange rate, on 25 September Vietcombank quoted a USD selling rate of 26,180 VND. At the same aluminium price in USD, a higher exchange rate means more dong to pay for each imported shipment.

What this means for aluminium sheet and coil buyers

• Raw material prices are broadly flat. The weekly rise of 60 CNY/t is only about 0.25% of the ingot price, so in week 39 the ingot has not put significant pressure on imported sheet and coil prices. Rolling fees, freight and the exchange rate should be tracked alongside it.
• Mind the Chinese holiday calendar. SHFE trades again from 28 to 30 September, closes for National Day from 1 to 7 October and reopens on 8 October. While the exchange is closed, the reference price is not updated; if you receive a quote during this period, ask how long it is valid and whether it will be adjusted after the holiday. If you need material in the first half of October, confirm specifications and delivery schedules early.
• Compare quotes on the same basis. For A1050, A3003 or A5052 sheet, check whether VAT is included, whether delivery is ex-warehouse or to your plant, the temper (H14, H24, O…) and the thickness tolerance. Two quotes sometimes differ only because of temper or tolerance.
• Choose the right alloy before comparing prices. A1050 is soft and easy to bend, suitable for signs and lamp reflectors; A3003 is stronger, used for cladding, roofing and ducting; A5052 offers good corrosion resistance for boats, tanks and truck bodies. Specifying a higher alloy than the job needs is a common and costly mistake.

What to watch next week

In week 40/2026 the Chinese market has only three sessions before the National Day holiday. Watch whether ingot stocks keep falling, whether A00 holds around 24,240 CNY/t, and how the USD/VND rate moves.

Need a quote for aluminium sheet or coil to your exact specification? See our aluminium sheet A1050, A3003, A5052, 6061 and aluminium coil and slit strip pages, or contact H&D Steel: hotline/Zalo 0904 678 236 (Sales Department). Please include alloy, thickness, width, temper and quantity so we can give you an accurate quote.

References

• SMM: A00 price, 24/9 session
• SMM: weekly review to 24/9
• SMM: morning meeting 21/9
• SMM: morning meeting 22/9
• SMM: morning meeting 23/9
• SMM: morning meeting 24/9
• SMM: pre-holiday ingot inventory
• SMM: A00 price methodology
• Westmetall: LME aluminium settlements
• SHFE: 2026 holiday schedule
• Webgia: Vietcombank exchange rates