Chapter 72 covers iron and steel and articles thereof, including pig iron, ferroalloys, direct reduced iron, waste and scrap, ingots, semi-finished products, plates, rods, wire, angles, shapes, sections, tubes, etc. This chapter is the most important chapter on metal materials in international trade, involving the entire chain from raw materials to finished products. 7210 belongs to the flat-rolled products heading under this chapter, specifically referring to galvanized or zinc-coated steel sheets with a width of ≥600mm. Heading 7210 covers flat-rolled products of iron or non-alloy steel, of a width of ≥600mm, plated or coated with zinc (including electro-galvanized, hot-dip galvanized, zinc-coated, etc.), whether or not further worked (such as oiled, passivated, painted, etc.). Under this heading, it is further subdivided according to processing method, thickness, zinc coating quality, etc. 721012 specifically refers to galvanized steel sheet with a thickness of <0.5mm, usually used in home appliances, construction, automobiles, and other fields. Code 721012 has 6 digits: the first 2 digits '72' represent Chapter 72 (iron and steel); the 3rd-4th digits '10' represent heading 7210 (galvanized or zinc-coated flat-rolled products of a width of ≥600mm); the 5th-6th digits '12' represent subheading 721012, i.e., galvanized steel sheet with a thickness of <0.5mm. Note: the subheading division is based on thickness, with 721012 being <0.5mm and 721011 being ≥0.5mm but ≤1mm? Actually, verification is needed: 721011 is thickness ≥0.5mm but ≤1mm? But according to the HS code, 7210.11 is thickness ≥0.5mm, and 7210.12 is thickness <0.5mm. Therefore, 721012 is clearly thin specification. This commodity is galvanized steel sheet, width ≥600mm, thickness <0.5mm, and does not exceed the scope of other headings in Chapter 72. The difference from other subheadings of 7210 lies in thickness: 721011 is thickness ≥0.5mm, 721012 is <0.5mm. The difference from 7211 (width <600mm) lies in width. The difference from 7212 (galvanized sheet with width <600mm) also lies in width. Therefore, width and thickness are the key to classification under this code.
Chapter
Chapter 72 covers iron and steel and articles thereof, including pig iron, ferroalloys, direct reduced iron, waste and scrap, ingots, semi-finished products, plates, rods, wire, angles, shapes, sections, tubes, etc. This chapter is the most important chapter on metal materials in international trade, involving the entire chain from raw materials to finished products. 7210 belongs to the flat-rolled products heading under this chapter, specifically referring to galvanized or zinc-coated steel sheets with a width of ≥600mm.
Heading
Heading 7210 covers flat-rolled products of iron or non-alloy steel, of a width of ≥600mm, plated or coated with zinc (including electro-galvanized, hot-dip galvanized, zinc-coated, etc.), whether or not further worked (such as oiled, passivated, painted, etc.). Under this heading, it is further subdivided according to processing method, thickness, zinc coating quality, etc. 721012 specifically refers to galvanized steel sheet with a thickness of <0.5mm, usually used in home appliances, construction, automobiles, and other fields.
Digit Breakdown
Code 721012 has 6 digits: the first 2 digits '72' represent Chapter 72 (iron and steel); the 3rd-4th digits '10' represent heading 7210 (galvanized or zinc-coated flat-rolled products of a width of ≥600mm); the 5th-6th digits '12' represent subheading 721012, i.e., galvanized steel sheet with a thickness of <0.5mm. Note: the subheading division is based on thickness, with 721012 being <0.5mm and 721011 being ≥0.5mm but ≤1mm? Actually, verification is needed: 721011 is thickness ≥0.5mm but ≤1mm? But according to the HS code, 7210.11 is thickness ≥0.5mm, and 7210.12 is thickness <0.5mm. Therefore, 721012 is clearly thin specification.
Classification Basis
This commodity is galvanized steel sheet, width ≥600mm, thickness <0.5mm, and does not exceed the scope of other headings in Chapter 72. The difference from other subheadings of 7210 lies in thickness: 721011 is thickness ≥0.5mm, 721012 is <0.5mm. The difference from 7211 (width <600mm) lies in width. The difference from 7212 (galvanized sheet with width <600mm) also lies in width. Therefore, width and thickness are the key to classification under this code.
📝 Declaration Elements
Product Name: Declare the commodity name, which should be specific such as 'galvanized steel sheet' or 'electro-galvanized steel sheet', etc., avoiding the generic term 'steel sheet'. Material: Indicate the substrate material, such as non-alloy steel, low-carbon steel, etc., and state whether it is alloy steel. Specifications and Dimensions: Declare thickness, width, length (if coil, indicate coil), and thickness must be accurate to millimeters. Processing Technology: Explain the galvanizing method (hot-dip galvanizing, electro-galvanizing, etc.) and whether further processing has been carried out (such as oiling, passivation, painting). Zinc Coating Thickness: Declare zinc coating weight or thickness (such as Z20, Z30, etc.), which helps confirm commodity characteristics. Use: Briefly explain the use, such as home appliances, construction, automobiles, etc., but use usually does not affect classification. Brand or Origin: Declare brand (such as Baosteel, Shougang) or origin, used for price review and rules of origin. Product Name: Hot-dip galvanized steel sheet; Material: Non-alloy steel, low-carbon steel; Specifications: Thickness 0.4mm, width 1000mm, coil; Processing Technology: Hot-dip galvanizing, surface passivation, not painted; Zinc Coating Weight: Z20 (double-sided); Use: Home appliance shell; Brand: Baosteel; Origin: China. Inaccurate thickness declaration, such as 0.5mm mistakenly reported as 0.4mm, leading to subheading errors. Width not clearly stated as ≥600mm, may be mistakenly classified under 7211 or 7212. Failing to distinguish between hot-dip galvanizing and electro-galvanizing, affecting classification and tax rates. Ignoring alloy element content; if alloy elements are present, it may be classified under 7225.
Product Name
Declare the commodity name, which should be specific such as 'galvanized steel sheet' or 'electro-galvanized steel sheet', etc., avoiding the generic term 'steel sheet'.
⚠️ Only writing 'steel sheet' without indicating galvanization, leading to classification errors.
Material
Indicate the substrate material, such as non-alloy steel, low-carbon steel, etc., and state whether it is alloy steel.
⚠️ Mistakenly declaring alloy steel as non-alloy steel, leading to classification under headings such as 7225.
Specifications and Dimensions
Declare thickness, width, length (if coil, indicate coil), and thickness must be accurate to millimeters.
⚠️ Incorrect thickness unit (e.g., reporting 0.5mm as 0.5cm), or failing to indicate whether width is ≥600mm.
Processing Technology
Explain the galvanizing method (hot-dip galvanizing, electro-galvanizing, etc.) and whether further processing has been carried out (such as oiling, passivation, painting).
⚠️ Failing to distinguish between hot-dip galvanizing and electro-galvanizing, affecting subheading determination.
Zinc Coating Thickness
Declare zinc coating weight or thickness (such as Z20, Z30, etc.), which helps confirm commodity characteristics.
⚠️ Ignoring zinc coating parameters, leading to confusion with other coated sheets.
Use
Briefly explain the use, such as home appliances, construction, automobiles, etc., but use usually does not affect classification.
⚠️ Over-relying on use declaration, ignoring material and specifications.
Brand or Origin
Declare brand (such as Baosteel, Shougang) or origin, used for price review and rules of origin.
⚠️ Confusing brand with manufacturer, or failing to provide certificate of origin.
Inaccurate thickness declaration, such as 0.5mm mistakenly reported as 0.4mm, leading to subheading errors.
Width not clearly stated as ≥600mm, may be mistakenly classified under 7211 or 7212.
Failing to distinguish between hot-dip galvanizing and electro-galvanizing, affecting classification and tax rates.
Ignoring alloy element content; if alloy elements are present, it may be classified under 7225.
🎯 Classification Logic
Core basis for classification: 1) Material is iron or non-alloy steel; 2) Width ≥600mm; 3) Galvanized or zinc-coated; 4) Thickness <0.5mm. All four conditions must be met simultaneously to be classified under 721012. If width <600mm, it should be classified under 7211 or 7212; if thickness ≥0.5mm, under 721011; if alloy steel, under 7225 or 7226. 721011 Galvanized steel sheet: Thickness ≥0.5mm but ≤1mm? Actually 721011 is thickness ≥0.5mm, while 721012 is <0.5mm. The difference lies only in thickness, and accurate measurement is required for classification. 721020 Lead-coated steel sheet: The coating is lead rather than zinc, so classification differs. 721020 is lead-coated, including lead-tin alloy. 721030 Electro-galvanized steel sheet: 721030 is electro-galvanized, while 721012 may be hot-dip galvanized or electro-galvanized? Actually 7210 includes all zinc coatings, but subheadings are divided by thickness. Note: 7210.30 is electro-galvanized? According to HS, 7210.30 is electro-galvanized, and 7210.41 etc. are other zinc-coated. But 721012 belongs to 7210.12, which is hot-dip galvanized? In actual HS, 7210.12 is hot-dip galvanized, thickness <0.5mm; 7210.30 is electro-galvanized. Therefore, the confusion lies in the galvanizing method. 721049 Other galvanized steel sheet: 721049 is other zinc-coated (such as hot-dip galvanized) thickness ≥0.5mm? Actually 721049 is other zinc-coated, thickness not limited? Verification needed: 7210.49 is other zinc-coated, thickness ≥0.5mm? But 721012 is hot-dip galvanized with thickness <0.5mm. Therefore, the confusion lies in thickness and galvanizing method. 722592 Alloy steel galvanized sheet: Material is alloy steel, width ≥600mm, galvanized, classification differs. Is the substrate non-alloy steel? Is the width ≥600mm? Has it been galvanized or zinc-coated? Is the thickness <0.5mm? Is the galvanizing method hot-dip galvanizing?
Basis
Core basis for classification: 1) Material is iron or non-alloy steel; 2) Width ≥600mm; 3) Galvanized or zinc-coated; 4) Thickness <0.5mm. All four conditions must be met simultaneously to be classified under 721012. If width <600mm, it should be classified under 7211 or 7212; if thickness ≥0.5mm, under 721011; if alloy steel, under 7225 or 7226.
Confused Codes：
721011 - Galvanized steel sheet
Thickness ≥0.5mm but ≤1mm? Actually 721011 is thickness ≥0.5mm, while 721012 is <0.5mm. The difference lies only in thickness, and accurate measurement is required for classification.
721020 - Lead-coated steel sheet
The coating is lead rather than zinc, so classification differs. 721020 is lead-coated, including lead-tin alloy.
721030 - Electro-galvanized steel sheet
721030 is electro-galvanized, while 721012 may be hot-dip galvanized or electro-galvanized? Actually 7210 includes all zinc coatings, but subheadings are divided by thickness. Note: 7210.30 is electro-galvanized? According to HS, 7210.30 is electro-galvanized, and 7210.41 etc. are other zinc-coated. But 721012 belongs to 7210.12, which is hot-dip galvanized? In actual HS, 7210.12 is hot-dip galvanized, thickness <0.5mm; 7210.30 is electro-galvanized. Therefore, the confusion lies in the galvanizing method.
721049 - Other galvanized steel sheet
721049 is other zinc-coated (such as hot-dip galvanized) thickness ≥0.5mm? Actually 721049 is other zinc-coated, thickness not limited? Verification needed: 7210.49 is other zinc-coated, thickness ≥0.5mm? But 721012 is hot-dip galvanized with thickness <0.5mm. Therefore, the confusion lies in thickness and galvanizing method.
722592 - Alloy steel galvanized sheet
Material is alloy steel, width ≥600mm, galvanized, classification differs.
Self-Check：
✓ Is the substrate non-alloy steel?
✓ Is the width ≥600mm?
✓ Has it been galvanized or zinc-coated?
✓ Is the thickness <0.5mm?
✓ Is the galvanizing method hot-dip galvanizing?
❓ FAQ
How to inquire about the import tax rate for 721012? You can inquire through the official website of the General Administration of Customs of China or the International Trade Single Window, enter HS code 721012, and check the MFN rate, general rate, VAT rate, etc. Tax rates are subject to policy adjustments, and the latest published rates should prevail. What is the difference between 721012 and 721011? The main difference lies in thickness: 721011 is thickness ≥0.5mm, and 721012 is thickness <0.5mm. Accurate measurement of thickness is required during declaration to avoid classification errors. Which code should electro-galvanized steel sheet be classified under? If electro-galvanized steel sheet has a width ≥600mm, it should be classified under 721030; if width <600mm, under 7212. Note that 721012 usually refers to hot-dip galvanized, but in HS, 7210.12 is explicitly hot-dip galvanized? Actual verification needed: 7210.12 is hot-dip galvanized, thickness <0.5mm; electro-galvanized is classified under 7210.30. What elements need attention when declaring galvanized steel sheet? It is necessary to declare product name, material, specifications and dimensions (thickness, width), processing technology (hot-dip galvanized/electro-galvanized), zinc coating weight, use, brand, etc. Thickness and width are key classification elements. If a galvanized steel sheet has a width of 600mm and thickness of 0.4mm, which code should it be classified under? Width ≥600mm, thickness <0.5mm, and hot-dip galvanized, it should be classified under 721012. If electro-galvanized, then under 721030. What is the export tax rebate for 721012? The export tax rebate rate needs to be inquired through the latest export tax rebate policy, usually through the electronic tax bureau or customs website. It may be adjusted at different times, and the official publication should prevail. Which code should alloy steel galvanized sheet be classified under? If it is alloy steel, width ≥600mm, galvanized, it should be classified under 7225.92 or 7226.99, etc., depending on alloy composition and processing. It cannot be classified under 721012. How to distinguish between hot-dip galvanizing and electro-galvanizing? Hot-dip galvanizing has a thicker zinc layer with zinc spangles on the surface, while electro-galvanizing has a thin and uniform zinc layer. Process description should be provided during declaration, and testing may be required if necessary. The subheadings for hot-dip galvanizing and electro-galvanizing differ in classification.
Q: How to inquire about the import tax rate for 721012?
A: You can inquire through the official website of the General Administration of Customs of China or the International Trade Single Window, enter HS code 721012, and check the MFN rate, general rate, VAT rate, etc. Tax rates are subject to policy adjustments, and the latest published rates should prevail.
Q: What is the difference between 721012 and 721011?
A: The main difference lies in thickness: 721011 is thickness ≥0.5mm, and 721012 is thickness <0.5mm. Accurate measurement of thickness is required during declaration to avoid classification errors.
Q: Which code should electro-galvanized steel sheet be classified under?
A: If electro-galvanized steel sheet has a width ≥600mm, it should be classified under 721030; if width <600mm, under 7212. Note that 721012 usually refers to hot-dip galvanized, but in HS, 7210.12 is explicitly hot-dip galvanized? Actual verification needed: 7210.12 is hot-dip galvanized, thickness <0.5mm; electro-galvanized is classified under 7210.30.
Q: What elements need attention when declaring galvanized steel sheet?
A: It is necessary to declare product name, material, specifications and dimensions (thickness, width), processing technology (hot-dip galvanized/electro-galvanized), zinc coating weight, use, brand, etc. Thickness and width are key classification elements.
Q: If a galvanized steel sheet has a width of 600mm and thickness of 0.4mm, which code should it be classified under?
A: Width ≥600mm, thickness <0.5mm, and hot-dip galvanized, it should be classified under 721012. If electro-galvanized, then under 721030.
Q: What is the export tax rebate for 721012?
A: The export tax rebate rate needs to be inquired through the latest export tax rebate policy, usually through the electronic tax bureau or customs website. It may be adjusted at different times, and the official publication should prevail.
Q: Which code should alloy steel galvanized sheet be classified under?
A: If it is alloy steel, width ≥600mm, galvanized, it should be classified under 7225.92 or 7226.99, etc., depending on alloy composition and processing. It cannot be classified under 721012.
Q: How to distinguish between hot-dip galvanizing and electro-galvanizing?
A: Hot-dip galvanizing has a thicker zinc layer with zinc spangles on the surface, while electro-galvanizing has a thin and uniform zinc layer. Process description should be provided during declaration, and testing may be required if necessary. The subheadings for hot-dip galvanizing and electro-galvanizing differ in classification.
⚠️ 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.