Chapter 72 covers the entire steel industry chain, from primary raw materials (pig iron, ferroalloys) to semi-finished products (steel ingots, billets), and then to finished steel products (plate, strip, bar, wire, sections, etc.). This chapter is the most important metal chapter in the HS, involving ironmaking, steelmaking, rolling, and subsequent processing. Heading 7210 belongs to flat-rolled products that have been coated, and is a representative product of deep steel processing. Heading 7210 specifically covers flat-rolled products of iron or non-alloy steel, of a width of 600 mm or more, coated or plated. This includes tinplated, zinc-plated, aluminum-plated, painted, etc. Steel under this heading is usually used in industries such as automobiles, home appliances, construction, and packaging. Tinplate is a typical representative and is widely used in food cans, electronic components, etc. Code 721011 has 6 digits: the first 2 digits '72' represent Chapter 72 (Iron and steel); digits 3-4 '10' represent heading 7210 (flat-rolled products of iron or non-alloy steel, of a width of 600 mm or more, coated or plated); digits 5-6 '11' represent subheading 721011, specifically 'tinplated, of a thickness of 0.5 mm or more.' Here '1' indicates tinplating, and the second '1' further subdivides by thickness. This subheading covers only flat-rolled products that are tinplated and of a thickness of 0.5 mm or more; those with a thickness of less than 0.5 mm fall under 721012. This commodity is tinplate, of a width of 600 mm or more, made of non-alloy steel, with a tin coating, and of a thickness of 0.5 mm or more, so it is classified under 721011. If the width were less than 600 mm, it would be classified under 7212; if the coating were zinc, it would fall under other subheadings of 7210; if it were alloy steel, it would fall under 7225, etc.
Chapter
Chapter 72 covers the entire steel industry chain, from primary raw materials (pig iron, ferroalloys) to semi-finished products (steel ingots, billets), and then to finished steel products (plate, strip, bar, wire, sections, etc.). This chapter is the most important metal chapter in the HS, involving ironmaking, steelmaking, rolling, and subsequent processing. Heading 7210 belongs to flat-rolled products that have been coated, and is a representative product of deep steel processing.
Heading
Heading 7210 specifically covers flat-rolled products of iron or non-alloy steel, of a width of 600 mm or more, coated or plated. This includes tinplated, zinc-plated, aluminum-plated, painted, etc. Steel under this heading is usually used in industries such as automobiles, home appliances, construction, and packaging. Tinplate is a typical representative and is widely used in food cans, electronic components, etc.
Digit Breakdown
Code 721011 has 6 digits: the first 2 digits '72' represent Chapter 72 (Iron and steel); digits 3-4 '10' represent heading 7210 (flat-rolled products of iron or non-alloy steel, of a width of 600 mm or more, coated or plated); digits 5-6 '11' represent subheading 721011, specifically 'tinplated, of a thickness of 0.5 mm or more.' Here '1' indicates tinplating, and the second '1' further subdivides by thickness. This subheading covers only flat-rolled products that are tinplated and of a thickness of 0.5 mm or more; those with a thickness of less than 0.5 mm fall under 721012.
Classification Basis
This commodity is tinplate, of a width of 600 mm or more, made of non-alloy steel, with a tin coating, and of a thickness of 0.5 mm or more, so it is classified under 721011. If the width were less than 600 mm, it would be classified under 7212; if the coating were zinc, it would fall under other subheadings of 7210; if it were alloy steel, it would fall under 7225, etc.
📝 Declaration Elements
Product name: The specific name of the declared commodity, such as 'tinplate' or 'tin-plated steel sheet' Material: Indicate the base material, such as non-alloy steel, low-carbon steel, etc. Specifications and dimensions: Thickness, width, length (if coil, indicate coil) Type of coating: Clearly state that the coating is tin, and may indicate the tin coating weight (e.g., 2.8 g/m²) Processing state: Such as cold-rolled, annealed, temper-rolled, etc. Use: Such as food cans, electronic components, etc. Brand or manufacturer: Manufacturer or brand name Product name: Tinplate; Material: non-alloy steel; Specifications: thickness 0.6 mm, width 800 mm, coil; Coating: tin, tin coating weight 2.8 g/m²; Processing state: cold-rolled, annealed, temper-rolled; Use: food cans; Brand: Baosteel. Confusing thickness units such as inches or millimeters Confusing tinplate with chromium-plated steel (tin-free steel) Declaring as 721011 when the width does not reach 600 mm
Product name
The specific name of the declared commodity, such as 'tinplate' or 'tin-plated steel sheet'
⚠️ Writing only 'steel sheet' without indicating tinplating
Material
Indicate the base material, such as non-alloy steel, low-carbon steel, etc.
⚠️ Mistakenly writing it as alloy steel or stainless steel
Specifications and dimensions
Thickness, width, length (if coil, indicate coil)
⚠️ Omitting thickness or width, making it impossible to determine the subheading
Type of coating
Clearly state that the coating is tin, and may indicate the tin coating weight (e.g., 2.8 g/m²)
⚠️ Writing tinplating as galvanizing or painting
Processing state
Such as cold-rolled, annealed, temper-rolled, etc.
⚠️ Failing to indicate the processing state, affecting classification
Confusing thickness units such as inches or millimeters
Confusing tinplate with chromium-plated steel (tin-free steel)
Declaring as 721011 when the width does not reach 600 mm
🎯 Classification Logic
Core basis for classification: 1) the material is non-alloy steel; 2) flat-rolled product, width 600 mm or more; 3) the coating is tin; 4) thickness 0.5 mm or more. It is also necessary to confirm whether it has undergone further processing (such as painting, printing, etc.). If only tinplated, it is classified under 721011. 721012 Tinplate (thickness < 0.5 mm): Tinplate with a thickness of less than 0.5 mm is classified under this code; it differs from 721011 only in thickness. 721210 Tinplate (width < 600 mm): Tinplate with a width of less than 600 mm is classified under 7212, not 7210. 721049 Galvanized steel sheet: The coating is zinc rather than tin, and it is classified under other subheadings of 7210. 722599 Tinplated alloy steel sheet: The base material is alloy steel, classified in the later part of Chapter 72. Confirm the base material is non-alloy steel Confirm the width is 600 mm or more Confirm the coating is tin Confirm the thickness is 0.5 mm or more Confirm it has not undergone other coating processing
Basis
Core basis for classification: 1) the material is non-alloy steel; 2) flat-rolled product, width 600 mm or more; 3) the coating is tin; 4) thickness 0.5 mm or more. It is also necessary to confirm whether it has undergone further processing (such as painting, printing, etc.). If only tinplated, it is classified under 721011.
Confused Codes：
721012 - Tinplate (thickness < 0.5 mm)
Tinplate with a thickness of less than 0.5 mm is classified under this code; it differs from 721011 only in thickness.
721210 - Tinplate (width < 600 mm)
Tinplate with a width of less than 600 mm is classified under 7212, not 7210.
721049 - Galvanized steel sheet
The coating is zinc rather than tin, and it is classified under other subheadings of 7210.
722599 - Tinplated alloy steel sheet
The base material is alloy steel, classified in the later part of Chapter 72.
Self-Check：
✓ Confirm the base material is non-alloy steel
✓ Confirm the width is 600 mm or more
✓ Confirm the coating is tin
✓ Confirm the thickness is 0.5 mm or more
✓ Confirm it has not undergone other coating processing
❓ FAQ
How can I check the import tariff rate for 721011? You can check through the General Administration of Customs website, China International Trade Single Window, or professional customs declaration software. Enter HS code 721011, select the country of origin and trade mode, and the system will display the MFN rate, general rate, VAT rate, etc. Note that tariff rates may be adjusted with policy changes, and the latest published rates should prevail. What is the difference in classification between tinplate and tin-free steel (chromium-plated)? Tinplate has a tin coating and is classified under 721011 or 721012; tin-free steel has a coating of chromium or chromium oxide and is classified under 721050. The two look similar but have different coating compositions and must be distinguished by testing. How should the thickness unit be filled in when declaring? Customs declaration usually requires millimeters (mm) as the thickness unit. If the contract uses inches, it must be converted and noted. For example, 0.02 inch should be converted to 0.508 mm and classified under 721011 (0.5 mm or more). If tinplate is painted, can it still be classified under 721011? No. If it is further painted or printed on top of tinplating, that constitutes further processing and should be classified under 721070 (painted or plastic-coated) or another corresponding code. 721011 applies only to steel sheet that is simply tinplated. How should tinplate sold through cross-border e-commerce be declared? Cross-border e-commerce must be declared under general trade or express shipment methods, providing detailed product name, specifications, material, coating, etc. If it is a small parcel, postal tax may apply, but correct classification must still be ensured. It is recommended to consult a professional customs broker. What is the main difference between 721011 and 721012? The only difference is thickness: 721011 is for thickness 0.5 mm or more, and 721012 is for thickness less than 0.5 mm. When classifying, the thickness must be measured accurately to avoid code errors caused by thickness discrepancies. What are the common declaration errors for tinplate? Common errors include: writing tinplating as galvanizing; incorrect thickness units; misreporting width; failing to distinguish coil from sheet; and misreporting alloy steel as non-alloy steel. These errors may lead to incorrect classification, improper application of tariff rates, or even penalties.
Q: How can I check the import tariff rate for 721011?
A: You can check through the General Administration of Customs website, China International Trade Single Window, or professional customs declaration software. Enter HS code 721011, select the country of origin and trade mode, and the system will display the MFN rate, general rate, VAT rate, etc. Note that tariff rates may be adjusted with policy changes, and the latest published rates should prevail.
Q: What is the difference in classification between tinplate and tin-free steel (chromium-plated)?
A: Tinplate has a tin coating and is classified under 721011 or 721012; tin-free steel has a coating of chromium or chromium oxide and is classified under 721050. The two look similar but have different coating compositions and must be distinguished by testing.
Q: How should the thickness unit be filled in when declaring?
A: Customs declaration usually requires millimeters (mm) as the thickness unit. If the contract uses inches, it must be converted and noted. For example, 0.02 inch should be converted to 0.508 mm and classified under 721011 (0.5 mm or more).
Q: If tinplate is painted, can it still be classified under 721011?
A: No. If it is further painted or printed on top of tinplating, that constitutes further processing and should be classified under 721070 (painted or plastic-coated) or another corresponding code. 721011 applies only to steel sheet that is simply tinplated.
Q: How should tinplate sold through cross-border e-commerce be declared?
A: Cross-border e-commerce must be declared under general trade or express shipment methods, providing detailed product name, specifications, material, coating, etc. If it is a small parcel, postal tax may apply, but correct classification must still be ensured. It is recommended to consult a professional customs broker.
Q: What is the main difference between 721011 and 721012?
A: The only difference is thickness: 721011 is for thickness 0.5 mm or more, and 721012 is for thickness less than 0.5 mm. When classifying, the thickness must be measured accurately to avoid code errors caused by thickness discrepancies.
Q: What are the common declaration errors for tinplate?
A: Common errors include: writing tinplating as galvanizing; incorrect thickness units; misreporting width; failing to distinguish coil from sheet; and misreporting alloy steel as non-alloy steel. These errors may lead to incorrect classification, improper application of tariff rates, or even penalties.
⚠️ 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.