Chapter 72 covers iron and steel and articles thereof, including pig iron, ferroalloys, direct reduced iron, waste and scrap, ingots, semi-finished products, flat-rolled products, bars and rods, angles, shapes, sections, wire, etc. This chapter is classified by smelting, rolling, processing form, and alloy composition, and is the core chapter for classifying steel products in international trade. Heading 7209 specifically refers to cold-rolled (cold-reduced) flat-rolled products of stainless steel, of a width of 600 mm or more, whether or not in coils, but not further worked (other than cold rolling). Under this heading, it is further subdivided by thickness, nickel content, etc., and is the main classification heading for imported and exported cold-rolled stainless steel sheet. The first 2 digits 72 = Chapter 72 Iron and steel; digits 3-4 09 = cold-rolled flat-rolled products of stainless steel, of a width of 600 mm or more; digits 5-6 16 = cold-rolled stainless steel sheet of a thickness of 0.5 mm or more but not exceeding 1 mm (subheading 7209.16). The complete code 720916 corresponds to cold-rolled stainless steel coil or sheet of a thickness of 0.5-1 mm and a width of 600 mm or more. The goods are cold-rolled stainless steel sheet, of a width of 600 mm or more, and of a thickness between 0.5-1 mm, meeting the description of subheading 7209.16. If the thickness is <0.5 mm, it should be classified under 7209.15; if >1 mm but <3 mm, under 7209.17; if >3 mm, under 7209.18; if the width is <600 mm, under 7220.
Chapter
Chapter 72 covers iron and steel and articles thereof, including pig iron, ferroalloys, direct reduced iron, waste and scrap, ingots, semi-finished products, flat-rolled products, bars and rods, angles, shapes, sections, wire, etc. This chapter is classified by smelting, rolling, processing form, and alloy composition, and is the core chapter for classifying steel products in international trade.
Heading
Heading 7209 specifically refers to cold-rolled (cold-reduced) flat-rolled products of stainless steel, of a width of 600 mm or more, whether or not in coils, but not further worked (other than cold rolling). Under this heading, it is further subdivided by thickness, nickel content, etc., and is the main classification heading for imported and exported cold-rolled stainless steel sheet.
Digit Breakdown
The first 2 digits 72 = Chapter 72 Iron and steel; digits 3-4 09 = cold-rolled flat-rolled products of stainless steel, of a width of 600 mm or more; digits 5-6 16 = cold-rolled stainless steel sheet of a thickness of 0.5 mm or more but not exceeding 1 mm (subheading 7209.16). The complete code 720916 corresponds to cold-rolled stainless steel coil or sheet of a thickness of 0.5-1 mm and a width of 600 mm or more.
Classification Basis
The goods are cold-rolled stainless steel sheet, of a width of 600 mm or more, and of a thickness between 0.5-1 mm, meeting the description of subheading 7209.16. If the thickness is <0.5 mm, it should be classified under 7209.15; if >1 mm but <3 mm, under 7209.17; if >3 mm, under 7209.18; if the width is <600 mm, under 7220.
📝 Declaration Elements
Product name: Declared commodity name, which should be specific such as "cold-rolled stainless steel coil" or "cold-rolled stainless steel sheet". Material: The grade or composition of the stainless steel, such as 304, 316L, etc., and the content of main alloying elements must be indicated. Specifications and dimensions: Thickness, width, length (for coil, indicate inner diameter and outer diameter), in mm. Processing technology: State cold rolling (cold reduction) and whether annealing, pickling, etc. have been carried out, but there must be no further working. Surface treatment: Surface condition such as 2B, BA, 8K, etc., which affects classification and price. Use: Main uses such as home appliances, kitchenware, architectural decoration, etc. Brand/Manufacturer: Manufacturer or brand; if there is no brand, state "no brand". Origin: Country or region of production, which affects tariffs and anti-dumping duties. Product name: cold-rolled stainless steel coil; Material: 304; Specifications: thickness 0.8 mm, width 1219 mm, coil inner diameter 508 mm; Processing technology: cold rolling, annealing, pickling; Surface: 2B; Use: home appliance panel; Brand: no brand; Origin: China. False declaration of thickness, actually below 0.5 mm but declared as 0.6 mm, resulting in an incorrect subheading. Classifying products that have undergone further processing such as polishing or film coating after cold rolling under 7209, when they should actually be classified under 7219 or 7220. Cold-rolled stainless steel sheet of a width <600 mm is incorrectly classified under 7209, when it should actually be classified under 7220.
Product name
Declared commodity name, which should be specific such as "cold-rolled stainless steel coil" or "cold-rolled stainless steel sheet".
⚠️ Only writing "stainless steel sheet" without indicating cold rolling and form (coil/sheet).
Material
The grade or composition of the stainless steel, such as 304, 316L, etc., and the content of main alloying elements must be indicated.
⚠️ Only writing "stainless steel" without providing the specific grade or composition.
Specifications and dimensions
Thickness, width, length (for coil, indicate inner diameter and outer diameter), in mm.
⚠️ Vague thickness range, such as "0.5-1.0 mm" without declaring the actual transaction specifications.
Processing technology
State cold rolling (cold reduction) and whether annealing, pickling, etc. have been carried out, but there must be no further working.
⚠️ Incorrectly declaring as "polished after cold rolling", leading to classification errors.
Surface treatment
Surface condition such as 2B, BA, 8K, etc., which affects classification and price.
⚠️ Failure to declare the surface condition, or confusion with the processing technology.
Use
Main uses such as home appliances, kitchenware, architectural decoration, etc.
⚠️ Use description is too broad, such as "industrial use".
Brand/Manufacturer
Manufacturer or brand; if there is no brand, state "no brand".
⚠️ Omitting brand information.
Origin
Country or region of production, which affects tariffs and anti-dumping duties.
⚠️ Confusing origin with place of shipment.
Example： Product name: cold-rolled stainless steel coil; Material: 304; Specifications: thickness 0.8 mm, width 1219 mm, coil inner diameter 508 mm; Processing technology: cold rolling, annealing, pickling; Surface: 2B; Use: home appliance panel; Brand: no brand; Origin: China.
Common Mistakes：
False declaration of thickness, actually below 0.5 mm but declared as 0.6 mm, resulting in an incorrect subheading.
Classifying products that have undergone further processing such as polishing or film coating after cold rolling under 7209, when they should actually be classified under 7219 or 7220.
Cold-rolled stainless steel sheet of a width <600 mm is incorrectly classified under 7209, when it should actually be classified under 7220.
🎯 Classification Logic
Classification basis: 1) The material is stainless steel (by weight, carbon content ≤1.2%, chromium content ≥10.5%); 2) flat-rolled product, of a width of 600 mm or more; 3) cold-rolled (cold-reduced) condition, not further worked; 4) thickness of 0.5 mm or more but not exceeding 1 mm. If all are met, it is classified under 7209.16. 720915 Cold-rolled stainless steel sheet, thickness <0.5 mm: Thickness less than 0.5 mm is classified under 7209.15; 7209.16 requires thickness ≥0.5 mm. 720917 Cold-rolled stainless steel sheet, 0.5 mm ≤ thickness ≤ 1 mm? Actually >1 mm but <3 mm: 7209.17 is for thickness >1 mm but <3 mm, while 7209.16 is 0.5-1 mm. 7219 Cold-rolled stainless steel sheet of a width of 600 mm or more, but further worked: 7219 includes further working such as plating or coating, while 7209 is only cold-rolled and not further worked. 7220 Cold-rolled stainless steel sheet of a width <600 mm: 7220 is cold-rolled stainless steel narrow strip of a width <600 mm, while 7209 requires a width of 600 mm or more. 7208 Hot-rolled stainless steel sheet of a width of 600 mm or more: 7208 is hot-rolled, 7209 is cold-rolled, and the processing technology is different. Confirm the material is stainless steel (chromium ≥10.5%, carbon ≤1.2%). Confirm the width is 600 mm or more. Confirm the processing technology is cold rolling and there is no further working. Confirm the thickness is between 0.5 mm and 1 mm. Confirm that both non-coil and coil forms are applicable.
Basis
Classification basis: 1) The material is stainless steel (by weight, carbon content ≤1.2%, chromium content ≥10.5%); 2) flat-rolled product, of a width of 600 mm or more; 3) cold-rolled (cold-reduced) condition, not further worked; 4) thickness of 0.5 mm or more but not exceeding 1 mm. If all are met, it is classified under 7209.16.
Confused Codes：
720915 - Cold-rolled stainless steel sheet, thickness <0.5 mm
Thickness less than 0.5 mm is classified under 7209.15; 7209.16 requires thickness ≥0.5 mm.
720917 - Cold-rolled stainless steel sheet, 0.5 mm ≤ thickness ≤ 1 mm? Actually >1 mm but <3 mm
7209.17 is for thickness >1 mm but <3 mm, while 7209.16 is 0.5-1 mm.
7219 - Cold-rolled stainless steel sheet of a width of 600 mm or more, but further worked
7219 includes further working such as plating or coating, while 7209 is only cold-rolled and not further worked.
7220 - Cold-rolled stainless steel sheet of a width <600 mm
7220 is cold-rolled stainless steel narrow strip of a width <600 mm, while 7209 requires a width of 600 mm or more.
7208 - Hot-rolled stainless steel sheet of a width of 600 mm or more
7208 is hot-rolled, 7209 is cold-rolled, and the processing technology is different.
Self-Check：
✓ Confirm the material is stainless steel (chromium ≥10.5%, carbon ≤1.2%).
✓ Confirm the width is 600 mm or more.
✓ Confirm the processing technology is cold rolling and there is no further working.
✓ Confirm the thickness is between 0.5 mm and 1 mm.
✓ Confirm that both non-coil and coil forms are applicable.
❓ FAQ
How can I check the import tariff rate for 720916? You can check through the official website of the General Administration of Customs of China or the International Trade Single Window by entering HS code 720916 to view the MFN rate, general rate, VAT, and consumption tax. Note that tariff rates may be adjusted with policy changes, and the latest published rates should prevail. If the thickness of cold-rolled stainless steel sheet is exactly 1 mm, should it be classified under 720916 or 720917? Subheading 720916 is described as thickness of 0.5 mm or more but not exceeding 1 mm, so 1 mm should be classified under 720916. 720917 is for more than 1 mm but less than 3 mm. After cold-rolled stainless steel coil has been brushed, can it still be classified under 720916? No. Brushing is further working and should be classified under 7219 or 7220 (depending on width). 7209 applies only to sheet that has been cold-rolled and not further worked. How should the specifications and model be filled in when declaring? Thickness, width, and length should be filled in (for coil, indicate inner diameter), such as "0.8 mm × 1219 mm × C". At the same time, indicate the grade such as 304 and the surface condition such as 2B. What is the main difference between 720916 and 720915? The main difference is thickness: 720915 is for thickness less than 0.5 mm, and 720916 is for 0.5 mm to 1 mm. The thickness must be accurately measured when classifying. If the width is 600 mm, should it be classified under 7209 or 7220? A width of 600 mm or more is classified under 7209, and a width <600 mm is classified under 7220. Therefore, 600 mm should be classified under 7209. Is there a nickel content requirement for cold-rolled stainless steel sheet? Some subheadings under heading 7209 are subdivided by nickel content, but 720916 does not specify nickel content and mainly depends on thickness. However, if the nickel content is ≥2.5%, it may affect other subheadings and should be checked specifically. What is the role of a certificate of origin when declaring? The certificate of origin affects tariff preferences (such as free trade agreements) and anti-dumping duties. It is necessary to ensure that the origin is authentic and complies with the relevant trade agreement rules.
Q: How can I check the import tariff rate for 720916?
A: You can check through the official website of the General Administration of Customs of China or the International Trade Single Window by entering HS code 720916 to view the MFN rate, general rate, VAT, and consumption tax. Note that tariff rates may be adjusted with policy changes, and the latest published rates should prevail.
Q: If the thickness of cold-rolled stainless steel sheet is exactly 1 mm, should it be classified under 720916 or 720917?
A: Subheading 720916 is described as thickness of 0.5 mm or more but not exceeding 1 mm, so 1 mm should be classified under 720916. 720917 is for more than 1 mm but less than 3 mm.
Q: After cold-rolled stainless steel coil has been brushed, can it still be classified under 720916?
A: No. Brushing is further working and should be classified under 7219 or 7220 (depending on width). 7209 applies only to sheet that has been cold-rolled and not further worked.
Q: How should the specifications and model be filled in when declaring?
A: Thickness, width, and length should be filled in (for coil, indicate inner diameter), such as "0.8 mm × 1219 mm × C". At the same time, indicate the grade such as 304 and the surface condition such as 2B.
Q: What is the main difference between 720916 and 720915?
A: The main difference is thickness: 720915 is for thickness less than 0.5 mm, and 720916 is for 0.5 mm to 1 mm. The thickness must be accurately measured when classifying.
Q: If the width is 600 mm, should it be classified under 7209 or 7220?
A: A width of 600 mm or more is classified under 7209, and a width <600 mm is classified under 7220. Therefore, 600 mm should be classified under 7209.
Q: Is there a nickel content requirement for cold-rolled stainless steel sheet?
A: Some subheadings under heading 7209 are subdivided by nickel content, but 720916 does not specify nickel content and mainly depends on thickness. However, if the nickel content is ≥2.5%, it may affect other subheadings and should be checked specifically.
Q: What is the role of a certificate of origin when declaring?
A: The certificate of origin affects tariff preferences (such as free trade agreements) and anti-dumping duties. It is necessary to ensure that the origin is authentic and complies with the relevant trade agreement rules.
⚠️ 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.