Chapter 72 covers the entire steel industry chain products, including pig iron, ferroalloys, scrap, ingots, semi-finished products, flat-rolled products, bars, wire rods, angles, sections and profiles, etc. This chapter is divided into tariff headings according to smelting and processing stages, and is the core chapter for classifying steel products in international trade. Heading 7208 covers hot-rolled flat-rolled products of a width of 600 mm or more, whether or not in coils, not further worked than hot-rolled, but which may have undergone surface treatment such as pickling, oiling, or annealing. This heading is one of the most important headings in the steel trade and involves a large number of basic steel products. Code 720836 has 6 digits in total: the first 2 digits 72 represent Chapter 72, iron and steel; digits 3-4, 08, represent heading 7208, namely hot-rolled flat-rolled products of a width of 600 mm or more; digits 5-6, 36, represent subheading 720836, specifically hot-rolled stainless steel strip, of a thickness of 4.75 mm to 10 mm (according to HS notes, subheadings 7208.36 to 7208.39 are divided by thickness, and 720836 corresponds to a thickness of 4.75 mm or more but less than 10 mm). This subheading applies only to stainless steel material and must be in the hot-rolled condition. This product is classified under 720836 because it is made of stainless steel, is in the hot-rolled condition, has a width of 600 mm or more, and has a thickness between 4.75 mm and 10 mm. If the thickness is less than 4.75 mm, it should be classified under 720839; if the thickness is 10 mm or more, it should be classified under 720837; if the width is less than 600 mm, it should be classified under 7220; if cold-rolled, it should be classified under 7219.
Chapter
Chapter 72 covers the entire steel industry chain products, including pig iron, ferroalloys, scrap, ingots, semi-finished products, flat-rolled products, bars, wire rods, angles, sections and profiles, etc. This chapter is divided into tariff headings according to smelting and processing stages, and is the core chapter for classifying steel products in international trade.
Heading
Heading 7208 covers hot-rolled flat-rolled products of a width of 600 mm or more, whether or not in coils, not further worked than hot-rolled, but which may have undergone surface treatment such as pickling, oiling, or annealing. This heading is one of the most important headings in the steel trade and involves a large number of basic steel products.
Digit Breakdown
Code 720836 has 6 digits in total: the first 2 digits 72 represent Chapter 72, iron and steel; digits 3-4, 08, represent heading 7208, namely hot-rolled flat-rolled products of a width of 600 mm or more; digits 5-6, 36, represent subheading 720836, specifically hot-rolled stainless steel strip, of a thickness of 4.75 mm to 10 mm (according to HS notes, subheadings 7208.36 to 7208.39 are divided by thickness, and 720836 corresponds to a thickness of 4.75 mm or more but less than 10 mm). This subheading applies only to stainless steel material and must be in the hot-rolled condition.
Classification Basis
This product is classified under 720836 because it is made of stainless steel, is in the hot-rolled condition, has a width of 600 mm or more, and has a thickness between 4.75 mm and 10 mm. If the thickness is less than 4.75 mm, it should be classified under 720839; if the thickness is 10 mm or more, it should be classified under 720837; if the width is less than 600 mm, it should be classified under 7220; if cold-rolled, it should be classified under 7219.
📝 Declaration Elements
Product name: The standard name of the declared commodity should indicate the material, processing condition, and shape, such as 'hot-rolled stainless steel strip'. Material: Fill in the specific grade or composition of the stainless steel, such as 304, 316L, etc., and indicate the applicable standard. Processing condition: Clearly state that it is hot-rolled, and indicate whether it has undergone subsequent treatment such as pickling or annealing. Specifications and dimensions: Fill in thickness, width, and length (may be omitted for coils). Thickness must be accurate to the millimeter, and width must be 600 mm or more. Coil/non-coil: Indicate whether it is in coils. For coils, information such as inner diameter and outer diameter must be provided. Use: Briefly describe the main use, such as for manufacturing pipes, vessels, automotive structural parts, etc. Brand or manufacturer: Fill in the brand or manufacturer name; if there is no brand, write 'none'. Product name: hot-rolled stainless steel strip; Material: 304; Processing condition: hot-rolled, pickled; Specifications: thickness 6.0 mm, width 1250 mm, in coils; Use: for manufacturing chemical equipment; Brand: TISCO. Inaccurate declaration of thickness, resulting in an incorrect subheading. Mistakenly classifying hot-rolled pickled material as cold-rolled. Classifying under 7208 even though the width is less than 600 mm. Failure to indicate the stainless steel grade, affecting classification.
Product name
The standard name of the declared commodity should indicate the material, processing condition, and shape, such as 'hot-rolled stainless steel strip'.
⚠️ Writing only 'stainless steel strip' without indicating the hot-rolled condition.
Material
Fill in the specific grade or composition of the stainless steel, such as 304, 316L, etc., and indicate the applicable standard.
⚠️ Writing only 'stainless steel' without providing the grade.
Processing condition
Clearly state that it is hot-rolled, and indicate whether it has undergone subsequent treatment such as pickling or annealing.
⚠️ Mistakenly declaring pickled hot-rolled material as cold-rolled.
Specifications and dimensions
Fill in thickness, width, and length (may be omitted for coils). Thickness must be accurate to the millimeter, and width must be 600 mm or more.
⚠️ Incorrect unit for thickness or failure to indicate width.
Coil/non-coil
Indicate whether it is in coils. For coils, information such as inner diameter and outer diameter must be provided.
⚠️ Failure to distinguish between coil and non-coil.
Use
Briefly describe the main use, such as for manufacturing pipes, vessels, automotive structural parts, etc.
⚠️ The description of use is too broad.
Brand or manufacturer
Fill in the brand or manufacturer name; if there is no brand, write 'none'.
⚠️ Omitting manufacturer information.
Example： Product name: hot-rolled stainless steel strip; Material: 304; Processing condition: hot-rolled, pickled; Specifications: thickness 6.0 mm, width 1250 mm, in coils; Use: for manufacturing chemical equipment; Brand: TISCO.
Common Mistakes：
Inaccurate declaration of thickness, resulting in an incorrect subheading.
Mistakenly classifying hot-rolled pickled material as cold-rolled.
Classifying under 7208 even though the width is less than 600 mm.
Failure to indicate the stainless steel grade, affecting classification.
🎯 Classification Logic
Core basis for classification: 1) the material is stainless steel; 2) the processing condition is hot-rolled (may be pickled or annealed); 3) width is 600 mm or more; 4) thickness is between 4.75 mm and 10 mm. All these conditions must be met simultaneously for classification under 720836. 720837 Hot-rolled stainless steel strip, thickness 10 mm or more: The thickness is different; 720837 applies to hot-rolled stainless steel strip with a thickness of 10 mm or more. 720839 Hot-rolled stainless steel strip, thickness less than 4.75 mm: The thickness is different; 720839 applies to hot-rolled stainless steel strip with a thickness of less than 4.75 mm. 7219 Cold-rolled stainless steel flat-rolled products: The processing condition is different; 7219 is cold-rolled, whereas 720836 is hot-rolled. 7220 Hot-rolled stainless steel narrow strip: The width is different; 7220 applies to stainless steel strip with a width of less than 600 mm. Is the material stainless steel? Is it in the hot-rolled condition? Is the width 600 mm or more? Is the thickness between 4.75 and 10 mm? Has it undergone cold rolling or other further processing?
Basis
Core basis for classification: 1) the material is stainless steel; 2) the processing condition is hot-rolled (may be pickled or annealed); 3) width is 600 mm or more; 4) thickness is between 4.75 mm and 10 mm. All these conditions must be met simultaneously for classification under 720836.
Confused Codes：
720837 - Hot-rolled stainless steel strip, thickness 10 mm or more
The thickness is different; 720837 applies to hot-rolled stainless steel strip with a thickness of 10 mm or more.
720839 - Hot-rolled stainless steel strip, thickness less than 4.75 mm
The thickness is different; 720839 applies to hot-rolled stainless steel strip with a thickness of less than 4.75 mm.
The processing condition is different; 7219 is cold-rolled, whereas 720836 is hot-rolled.
7220 - Hot-rolled stainless steel narrow strip
The width is different; 7220 applies to stainless steel strip with a width of less than 600 mm.
Self-Check：
✓ Is the material stainless steel?
✓ Is it in the hot-rolled condition?
✓ Is the width 600 mm or more?
✓ Is the thickness between 4.75 and 10 mm?
✓ Has it undergone cold rolling or other further processing?
❓ FAQ
How can I check the tariff rate for HS code 720836? It can be checked through the official website of the General Administration of Customs, the International Trade Single Window, or professional databases. Tariff rates vary by country, trade agreement, and origin, so the latest published tariff schedule should be used as the basis. Does the HS code change after hot-rolled stainless steel strip is pickled? Pickling is a surface treatment after hot rolling and does not change the hot-rolled condition, so it is still classified under 720836. However, if it has been cold-rolled, it is classified under 7219. Which code applies to hot-rolled stainless steel strip with a width of exactly 600 mm? A width of 600 mm or more is classified under 7208, so a width of 600 mm should be classified under 720836 (if the thickness meets the requirement). Which code applies to hot-rolled stainless steel strip with a thickness of 5 mm? A thickness of 5 mm is between 4.75 and 10 mm, and if the width is 600 mm or more, it is classified under 720836. What impact does omitting the stainless steel grade have during declaration? It may lead to incorrect classification or customs questioning, because different grades of stainless steel may involve different tariff rates or regulatory conditions. Complete declaration is recommended. What are the declaration elements for hot-rolled stainless steel strip? They include product name, material, processing condition, specifications and dimensions, coil/non-coil, use, brand, etc., subject to customs requirements. What is the main difference between 720836 and 720837? Both are hot-rolled stainless steel strip; the difference lies in thickness: 720836 is 4.75-10 mm thick, while 720837 is 10 mm or more thick. If hot-rolled stainless steel strip has a width of 500 mm, which code should it be classified under? If the width is less than 600 mm, it should be classified under 7220, with the specific subheading determined according to thickness and processing condition.
Q: How can I check the tariff rate for HS code 720836?
A: It can be checked through the official website of the General Administration of Customs, the International Trade Single Window, or professional databases. Tariff rates vary by country, trade agreement, and origin, so the latest published tariff schedule should be used as the basis.
Q: Does the HS code change after hot-rolled stainless steel strip is pickled?
A: Pickling is a surface treatment after hot rolling and does not change the hot-rolled condition, so it is still classified under 720836. However, if it has been cold-rolled, it is classified under 7219.
Q: Which code applies to hot-rolled stainless steel strip with a width of exactly 600 mm?
A: A width of 600 mm or more is classified under 7208, so a width of 600 mm should be classified under 720836 (if the thickness meets the requirement).
Q: Which code applies to hot-rolled stainless steel strip with a thickness of 5 mm?
A: A thickness of 5 mm is between 4.75 and 10 mm, and if the width is 600 mm or more, it is classified under 720836.
Q: What impact does omitting the stainless steel grade have during declaration?
A: It may lead to incorrect classification or customs questioning, because different grades of stainless steel may involve different tariff rates or regulatory conditions. Complete declaration is recommended.
Q: What are the declaration elements for hot-rolled stainless steel strip?
A: They include product name, material, processing condition, specifications and dimensions, coil/non-coil, use, brand, etc., subject to customs requirements.
Q: What is the main difference between 720836 and 720837?
A: Both are hot-rolled stainless steel strip; the difference lies in thickness: 720836 is 4.75-10 mm thick, while 720837 is 10 mm or more thick.
Q: If hot-rolled stainless steel strip has a width of 500 mm, which code should it be classified under?
A: If the width is less than 600 mm, it should be classified under 7220, with the specific subheading determined according to thickness and processing condition.
⚠️ Disclaimer: HS code classification, declaration elements, tariff rates and regulatory conditions on this page are for reference only and do not constitute legal advice on customs classification. Tariff rates and regulations are subject to change; the latest announcements from the General Administration of Customs and on-site determinations shall prevail. Please consult professional customs brokers or customs authorities before import/export.