Chapter 72 covers products across the entire steel industry chain, including pig iron, ferroalloys, scrap, ingots and semi-finished products, flat-rolled products, bars, profiles, wire, etc. This chapter is layered by smelting state, composition, and processing form, and is the core chapter for classifying steel commodities in international trade. Heading 7208 refers specifically to hot-rolled flat-rolled products (not in coils or in coils) of a width of 600 mm or more, not further worked than hot-rolled, including surface treatment such as pickling and annealing. It covers ordinary carbon steel, stainless steel, etc., but excludes cold-rolled, coated or plated, and sheets of a width of less than 600 mm. The first 2 digits 72 = chapter for iron and steel; digits 3-4 08 = hot-rolled flat-rolled products, width 600 mm or more, not in coils or in coils; digits 5-6 40 = further processing form: after hot rolling only pickled, annealed, etc., thickness < 3 mm, tensile strength 355 MPa or more but less than 600 MPa, or thickness 3 mm or more and tensile strength 355 MPa or more. Note that subheadings under 7208 are further subdivided by thickness, strength, and surface treatment, and 40 is one such category. The commodity is hot-rolled stainless steel bar, but bars are usually classified under 7221 or 7222 (stainless steel bars). If it is a flat-rolled product of a width of 600 mm or more, it is classified under 7208. Code 720840 refers specifically to hot-rolled flat-rolled products, thickness < 3 mm and tensile strength 355 MPa or more but less than 600 MPa, or stainless steel flat-rolled products. If it is bar, it should be classified under 7221 or 7222.
Chapter
Chapter 72 covers products across the entire steel industry chain, including pig iron, ferroalloys, scrap, ingots and semi-finished products, flat-rolled products, bars, profiles, wire, etc. This chapter is layered by smelting state, composition, and processing form, and is the core chapter for classifying steel commodities in international trade.
Heading
Heading 7208 refers specifically to hot-rolled flat-rolled products (not in coils or in coils) of a width of 600 mm or more, not further worked than hot-rolled, including surface treatment such as pickling and annealing. It covers ordinary carbon steel, stainless steel, etc., but excludes cold-rolled, coated or plated, and sheets of a width of less than 600 mm.
Digit Breakdown
The first 2 digits 72 = chapter for iron and steel; digits 3-4 08 = hot-rolled flat-rolled products, width 600 mm or more, not in coils or in coils; digits 5-6 40 = further processing form: after hot rolling only pickled, annealed, etc., thickness < 3 mm, tensile strength 355 MPa or more but less than 600 MPa, or thickness 3 mm or more and tensile strength 355 MPa or more. Note that subheadings under 7208 are further subdivided by thickness, strength, and surface treatment, and 40 is one such category.
Classification Basis
The commodity is hot-rolled stainless steel bar, but bars are usually classified under 7221 or 7222 (stainless steel bars). If it is a flat-rolled product of a width of 600 mm or more, it is classified under 7208. Code 720840 refers specifically to hot-rolled flat-rolled products, thickness < 3 mm and tensile strength 355 MPa or more but less than 600 MPa, or stainless steel flat-rolled products. If it is bar, it should be classified under 7221 or 7222.
📝 Declaration Elements
Product name: The standard name of the declared commodity, which must be consistent with the contract and invoice, such as "hot-rolled stainless steel sheet". Material: Indicate the steel type and grade, such as 304, 316L, and state whether it is stainless steel. Specifications and dimensions: Thickness, width, length (mm); width must be 600 mm or more. Processing state: Hot-rolled, pickled, annealed, etc., and whether further processed. Tensile strength: Provide the MPa value for subheading distinction. Use: Such as construction, machinery manufacturing, automobiles, etc. Brand: Manufacturer or brand; if no brand, fill in "none". Product name: hot-rolled stainless steel sheet; Material: 304; Specifications: thickness 2.0 mm, width 1219 mm, length 2438 mm; Processing state: hot-rolled, pickled, annealed; Tensile strength: 520 MPa; Use: architectural decoration; Brand: TISCO. Mistakenly classifying bar under 7208, when it should actually be classified under 7221 or 7222. Ignoring the width 600 mm or more requirement, resulting in incorrect classification. Failing to provide tensile strength, making it impossible to determine the subheading.
Product name
The standard name of the declared commodity, which must be consistent with the contract and invoice, such as "hot-rolled stainless steel sheet".
⚠️ Incorrectly written as "stainless steel bar" or "hot-rolled coil".
Material
Indicate the steel type and grade, such as 304, 316L, and state whether it is stainless steel.
⚠️ Only writing "stainless steel" without providing the specific grade.
Specifications and dimensions
Thickness, width, length (mm); width must be 600 mm or more.
⚠️ Failing to declare width or using incorrect units for thickness.
Processing state
Hot-rolled, pickled, annealed, etc., and whether further processed.
⚠️ Mistakenly declaring cold-rolled after pickling as hot-rolled.
Tensile strength
Provide the MPa value for subheading distinction.
⚠️ Not provided or incorrect unit.
Use
Such as construction, machinery manufacturing, automobiles, etc.
⚠️ Filling in "other" is too general.
Brand
Manufacturer or brand; if no brand, fill in "none".
Mistakenly classifying bar under 7208, when it should actually be classified under 7221 or 7222.
Ignoring the width 600 mm or more requirement, resulting in incorrect classification.
Failing to provide tensile strength, making it impossible to determine the subheading.
🎯 Classification Logic
Classification basis: 1) the material is stainless steel; 2) the form is flat-rolled product, width 600 mm or more; 3) the processing method is hot-rolled, only pickled, annealed, etc.; 4) the thickness and tensile strength conform to subheading 720840. If it is bar or the width is less than 600 mm, it is classified under other headings. 7219 Hot-rolled flat-rolled products of stainless steel: 7219 is hot-rolled flat-rolled stainless steel of a width of 600 mm or more, but 7208 is hot-rolled flat-rolled ordinary carbon steel; the materials are different. 7220 Cold-rolled flat-rolled products of stainless steel: 7220 is cold-rolled, 7208 is hot-rolled; the processing techniques are different. 7221 Stainless steel bars: 7221 is bar, 7208 is flat-rolled product; the forms are different. 7222 Other stainless steel bars: 7222 is other bars, 7208 is flat-rolled; the form and processing are different. Confirm whether the material is stainless steel. Confirm whether the width is 600 mm or more. Confirm whether it is hot-rolled and not further processed. Confirm the thickness and tensile strength range. Confirm the form is flat-rolled rather than bar.
Basis
Classification basis: 1) the material is stainless steel; 2) the form is flat-rolled product, width 600 mm or more; 3) the processing method is hot-rolled, only pickled, annealed, etc.; 4) the thickness and tensile strength conform to subheading 720840. If it is bar or the width is less than 600 mm, it is classified under other headings.
Confused Codes：
7219 - Hot-rolled flat-rolled products of stainless steel
7219 is hot-rolled flat-rolled stainless steel of a width of 600 mm or more, but 7208 is hot-rolled flat-rolled ordinary carbon steel; the materials are different.
7220 - Cold-rolled flat-rolled products of stainless steel
7220 is cold-rolled, 7208 is hot-rolled; the processing techniques are different.
7221 - Stainless steel bars
7221 is bar, 7208 is flat-rolled product; the forms are different.
7222 - Other stainless steel bars
7222 is other bars, 7208 is flat-rolled; the form and processing are different.
Self-Check：
✓ Confirm whether the material is stainless steel.
✓ Confirm whether the width is 600 mm or more.
✓ Confirm whether it is hot-rolled and not further processed.
✓ Confirm the thickness and tensile strength range.
✓ Confirm the form is flat-rolled rather than bar.
❓ FAQ
What is the difference between 720840 and 7219? 720840 is hot-rolled flat-rolled products of ordinary carbon steel, and 7219 is hot-rolled flat-rolled products of stainless steel. The difference lies in the material: 7208 is ordinary carbon steel, 7219 is stainless steel. If the commodity is stainless steel, it should be classified under 7219. Which code should hot-rolled stainless steel bar be classified under? Hot-rolled stainless steel bar is usually classified under 7221 or 7222. 7221 is bars in irregularly wound coils, and 7222 is other bars. 720840 is flat-rolled products and does not apply to bars. How does tensile strength affect classification at declaration? Under heading 7208, subheadings are subdivided by thickness and tensile strength. For example, 720840 requires thickness < 3 mm and tensile strength 355 MPa or more but less than 600 MPa, or thickness 3 mm or more and tensile strength 355 MPa or more. The value must be provided accurately. Where are hot-rolled stainless steel sheets of a width less than 600 mm classified? Hot-rolled stainless steel sheets of a width less than 600 mm should be classified under headings such as 7220 or 7221, depending on whether they are in coils and their processing state. 7208 applies only to widths of 600 mm or more. How can I check the import tariff rate for 720840? Tariff rates may change. It is recommended to check the latest rates through the official website of the General Administration of Customs, China International Trade Single Window, or by consulting a customs broker. You may also refer to the Import and Export Tariff of the People's Republic of China. Are pickled hot-rolled stainless steel sheets still classified under 720840? Yes. Heading 7208 includes flat-rolled products that after hot rolling have only undergone surface treatment such as pickling and annealing without changing their essential characteristics. If further cold-rolled or coated or plated, they are classified under other headings. How should "Material" be filled in among the declaration elements? The material should be filled in with the specific steel grade, such as 304 or 316L, and indicate "stainless steel". Avoid writing only "stainless steel" or "steel" so that customs can classify it accurately. What is the difference between 720840 and 720839? 720839 is hot-rolled flat-rolled product, thickness < 3 mm, tensile strength < 355 MPa; 720840 is thickness < 3 mm and tensile strength 355 MPa or more but less than 600 MPa, or thickness 3 mm or more and tensile strength 355 MPa or more. The difference lies in the strength index.
Q: What is the difference between 720840 and 7219?
A: 720840 is hot-rolled flat-rolled products of ordinary carbon steel, and 7219 is hot-rolled flat-rolled products of stainless steel. The difference lies in the material: 7208 is ordinary carbon steel, 7219 is stainless steel. If the commodity is stainless steel, it should be classified under 7219.
Q: Which code should hot-rolled stainless steel bar be classified under?
A: Hot-rolled stainless steel bar is usually classified under 7221 or 7222. 7221 is bars in irregularly wound coils, and 7222 is other bars. 720840 is flat-rolled products and does not apply to bars.
Q: How does tensile strength affect classification at declaration?
A: Under heading 7208, subheadings are subdivided by thickness and tensile strength. For example, 720840 requires thickness < 3 mm and tensile strength 355 MPa or more but less than 600 MPa, or thickness 3 mm or more and tensile strength 355 MPa or more. The value must be provided accurately.
Q: Where are hot-rolled stainless steel sheets of a width less than 600 mm classified?
A: Hot-rolled stainless steel sheets of a width less than 600 mm should be classified under headings such as 7220 or 7221, depending on whether they are in coils and their processing state. 7208 applies only to widths of 600 mm or more.
Q: How can I check the import tariff rate for 720840?
A: Tariff rates may change. It is recommended to check the latest rates through the official website of the General Administration of Customs, China International Trade Single Window, or by consulting a customs broker. You may also refer to the Import and Export Tariff of the People's Republic of China.
Q: Are pickled hot-rolled stainless steel sheets still classified under 720840?
A: Yes. Heading 7208 includes flat-rolled products that after hot rolling have only undergone surface treatment such as pickling and annealing without changing their essential characteristics. If further cold-rolled or coated or plated, they are classified under other headings.
Q: How should "Material" be filled in among the declaration elements?
A: The material should be filled in with the specific steel grade, such as 304 or 316L, and indicate "stainless steel". Avoid writing only "stainless steel" or "steel" so that customs can classify it accurately.
Q: What is the difference between 720840 and 720839?
A: 720839 is hot-rolled flat-rolled product, thickness < 3 mm, tensile strength < 355 MPa; 720840 is thickness < 3 mm and tensile strength 355 MPa or more but less than 600 MPa, or thickness 3 mm or more and tensile strength 355 MPa or more. The difference lies in the strength index.
⚠️ 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.