Chromium (Cr) is a critical metal that supports the development of China's emerging industries. Approximately 82% of China's Cr is used to manufacture stainless steel. However, the stainless-steel product chain has often been referred to as a “black box” in Cr substance flow analysis, leading to limited guidance for Cr management. This study aims to fill this gap by analysing Cr flows and in-use stock patterns in China's stainless-steel product chain from 2012 to 2022. During this period, China's Cr consumption experienced significant growth, increasing by over 10% annually, with 90.4% being imported. The Energy Infrastructure sector emerged as the dominant consumer of Cr (8,099 kt) and in-use stock (7,702 kt), Heavy Machinery products accounting for the highest Cr consumption (3,269 kt). Conducting product-level SFA is crucial for sustainable Cr resource management and environmental policy-making.