Chapter 72 covers iron and steel and articles thereof, including pig iron, ferroalloys, waste and scrap, ingots, semi-finished products, flat-rolled products, bars and rods, angles and shapes, wire, etc. This chapter is arranged by smelting form and degree of processing. Heading 7210 falls within the flat-rolled products section and specifically refers to flat-rolled products of iron or non-alloy steel, of a width of 600 mm or more, clad, plated or coated. Heading 7210 covers flat-rolled products of iron or non-alloy steel, of a width of 600 mm or more, plated or coated, including tin-plated, zinc-plated, aluminum-plated, painted, etc. 721020 specifically refers to flat-rolled products plated or coated with aluminum or aluminum alloys, commonly used in construction, home appliances, automobiles, etc., with corrosion resistance and heat resistance. First 2 digits 72 = Iron and steel chapter; digits 3-4 10 = plated or coated flat-rolled products of a width of 600 mm or more; digits 5-6 20 = plated with aluminum or aluminum alloy. Therefore 721020 = aluminum or aluminum alloy steel plate of a width of 600 mm or more, whether or not further worked (such as cutting, punching) still classified under this code, but if processed into specific articles may be classified under other headings. This commodity is aluminum-plated steel plate, of a width of 600 mm or more, conforming to the description of heading 7210, and the coating is aluminum rather than other metals, so it is classified under 721020 rather than 721030 (zinc-plated) or 721050 (chromium-plated). If the width is less than 600 mm, it is classified under 7212; if it is alloy steel, it is classified under 7225, etc.
Chapter
Chapter 72 covers iron and steel and articles thereof, including pig iron, ferroalloys, waste and scrap, ingots, semi-finished products, flat-rolled products, bars and rods, angles and shapes, wire, etc. This chapter is arranged by smelting form and degree of processing. Heading 7210 falls within the flat-rolled products section and specifically refers to flat-rolled products of iron or non-alloy steel, of a width of 600 mm or more, clad, plated or coated.
Heading
Heading 7210 covers flat-rolled products of iron or non-alloy steel, of a width of 600 mm or more, plated or coated, including tin-plated, zinc-plated, aluminum-plated, painted, etc. 721020 specifically refers to flat-rolled products plated or coated with aluminum or aluminum alloys, commonly used in construction, home appliances, automobiles, etc., with corrosion resistance and heat resistance.
Digit Breakdown
First 2 digits 72 = Iron and steel chapter; digits 3-4 10 = plated or coated flat-rolled products of a width of 600 mm or more; digits 5-6 20 = plated with aluminum or aluminum alloy. Therefore 721020 = aluminum or aluminum alloy steel plate of a width of 600 mm or more, whether or not further worked (such as cutting, punching) still classified under this code, but if processed into specific articles may be classified under other headings.
Classification Basis
This commodity is aluminum-plated steel plate, of a width of 600 mm or more, conforming to the description of heading 7210, and the coating is aluminum rather than other metals, so it is classified under 721020 rather than 721030 (zinc-plated) or 721050 (chromium-plated). If the width is less than 600 mm, it is classified under 7212; if it is alloy steel, it is classified under 7225, etc.
📝 Declaration Elements
Product name: Declared commodity name, should accurately reflect material and coating, such as 'aluminum-plated steel plate'. Material: Indicate that the substrate is iron or non-alloy steel, such as 'non-alloy steel'. Specifications and dimensions: Declare thickness, width, length (if coil, note it). Coating type: Clearly state the coating is aluminum or aluminum alloy, such as 'aluminum-plated'. Processing state: Such as 'coil', 'sheet', 'cut', etc. Use: Briefly describe the main use, such as 'building roofing', 'automotive exhaust system'. Grade: Specific standard grades such as 'DX51D+AS', etc. Product name: Aluminum-plated steel plate; Material: Non-alloy steel; Specifications: Thickness 0.5mm, width 1000mm, coil; Coating: Aluminum-silicon alloy (Al-Si); Processing state: Coil, not further worked; Use: Building roofing; Grade: DX51D+AS. Width not indicated whether 600 mm or more, if actually less than 600 mm should be classified under 7212. Coating misreported as pure aluminum, actually aluminum-silicon alloy, still classified under 721020 but must be accurately declared. Steel plate already punched or cut into non-rectangular shapes mistakenly classified under 721020, actually may be classified under 7326, etc.
Product name
Declared commodity name, should accurately reflect material and coating, such as 'aluminum-plated steel plate'.
⚠️ Mistakenly written as 'aluminum plate' or 'galvanized plate', leading to classification errors.
Material
Indicate that the substrate is iron or non-alloy steel, such as 'non-alloy steel'.
⚠️ Written as 'alloy steel' or 'stainless steel', affecting classification.
⚠️ Omitting width, making it impossible to determine whether it is 600 mm or more.
Coating type
Clearly state the coating is aluminum or aluminum alloy, such as 'aluminum-plated'.
⚠️ Misreported as 'zinc-aluminum coated' or 'aluminum-zinc alloy', need to distinguish the main coating.
Processing state
Such as 'coil', 'sheet', 'cut', etc.
⚠️ Not indicating whether further processed, which may affect classification.
Use
Briefly describe the main use, such as 'building roofing', 'automotive exhaust system'.
⚠️ Use description too broad, not helpful for classification.
Grade
Specific standard grades such as 'DX51D+AS', etc.
⚠️ Grade not provided, making it impossible to verify composition.
Example： Product name: Aluminum-plated steel plate; Material: Non-alloy steel; Specifications: Thickness 0.5mm, width 1000mm, coil; Coating: Aluminum-silicon alloy (Al-Si); Processing state: Coil, not further worked; Use: Building roofing; Grade: DX51D+AS.
Common Mistakes：
Width not indicated whether 600 mm or more, if actually less than 600 mm should be classified under 7212.
Coating misreported as pure aluminum, actually aluminum-silicon alloy, still classified under 721020 but must be accurately declared.
Steel plate already punched or cut into non-rectangular shapes mistakenly classified under 721020, actually may be classified under 7326, etc.
🎯 Classification Logic
Core basis for classification: 1) Substrate is iron or non-alloy steel; 2) Width of 600 mm or more; 3) Plated or coated with aluminum or aluminum alloy; 4) Flat-rolled product (coil or sheet). If width is less than 600 mm, classify under 7212; if alloy steel, classify under 7225; if coating is other metal, classify under corresponding subheading. 721030 Electro-galvanized steel plate: Coating is zinc, whereas 721020 is aluminum. Zinc coating has corrosion resistance but poor heat resistance; aluminum coating has good heat resistance. 721050 Chromium-plated steel plate: Coating is chromium or chromium oxide, commonly used for cans, different in appearance and use from aluminum coating. 721260 Aluminum-plated steel plate of a width less than 600 mm: Width less than 600 mm, classified under 7212, whereas 721020 requires width of 600 mm or more. 722599 Other alloy steel aluminum-plated sheet: Substrate is alloy steel, whereas 721020 substrate is non-alloy steel. Is the substrate non-alloy steel? Is the width 600 mm or more? Is the coating aluminum or aluminum alloy? Is it a flat-rolled product (not further worked)? Is it not classified under other more specific headings?
Basis
Core basis for classification: 1) Substrate is iron or non-alloy steel; 2) Width of 600 mm or more; 3) Plated or coated with aluminum or aluminum alloy; 4) Flat-rolled product (coil or sheet). If width is less than 600 mm, classify under 7212; if alloy steel, classify under 7225; if coating is other metal, classify under corresponding subheading.
Confused Codes：
721030 - Electro-galvanized steel plate
Coating is zinc, whereas 721020 is aluminum. Zinc coating has corrosion resistance but poor heat resistance; aluminum coating has good heat resistance.
721050 - Chromium-plated steel plate
Coating is chromium or chromium oxide, commonly used for cans, different in appearance and use from aluminum coating.
721260 - Aluminum-plated steel plate of a width less than 600 mm
Width less than 600 mm, classified under 7212, whereas 721020 requires width of 600 mm or more.
722599 - Other alloy steel aluminum-plated sheet
Substrate is alloy steel, whereas 721020 substrate is non-alloy steel.
Self-Check：
✓ Is the substrate non-alloy steel?
✓ Is the width 600 mm or more?
✓ Is the coating aluminum or aluminum alloy?
✓ Is it a flat-rolled product (not further worked)?
✓ Is it not classified under other more specific headings?
❓ FAQ
How to inquire about the import tax rate for 721020? You can check the General Administration of Customs website, China International Trade Single Window, or professional tariff inquiry tools, enter HS code 721020, and view the MFN rate, general rate, VAT, and consumption tax. Note that rates may vary due to free trade agreements, and origin must be confirmed. What is the difference in classification between aluminum-plated steel plate and galvanized steel plate? Aluminum-plated steel plate is classified under 721020, galvanized steel plate under 721030 or 721049, etc. The key difference is the coating metal: aluminum vs. zinc. The two have different corrosion resistance mechanisms; aluminum coating resists high temperatures, zinc coating provides sacrificial anode protection. Which code is aluminum-plated steel plate with a width of exactly 600 mm classified under? Width of 600 mm or more is classified under 721020. If the width is 600 mm, it meets the description of heading 7210 and should be classified under 721020. If width is less than 600 mm, it is classified under 7212. If aluminum-plated steel plate is cut but not made into specific articles, is it still classified under 721020? If only cut into rectangles (including cut-to-length sheets), it is still classified under 721020. If cut into non-rectangular shapes, punched, bent, or further processed, it may be classified under 7326 or other article headings. How to fill in 'Coating type' when declaring? The coating composition should be accurately filled in, such as 'aluminum', 'aluminum-silicon alloy'. If it is aluminum-silicon alloy, the silicon content must be indicated. Avoid general writing 'aluminum-plated' to avoid confusion with pure aluminum. What is the difference between 721020 and 721250? 721250 is aluminum-plated steel plate of a width less than 600 mm, 721020 is width of 600 mm or more. When classifying, first determine the width, then the coating. Is the HS code the same when exporting aluminum-plated steel plate to the EU? The first 6 digits of the EU HS code are consistent with the international, 721020 is the same. But the latter digits may differ, need to check the EU TARIC database. Use Chinese code for export declaration, and local code for import customs clearance in the importing country. If aluminum-plated steel plate is used for automotive exhaust systems, is there anything special about classification? If it is still a flat-rolled product, classify under 721020. If it has been processed into exhaust system parts, classify under 8708, etc. Classification depends on the degree of processing and use, not the final use.
Q: How to inquire about the import tax rate for 721020?
A: You can check the General Administration of Customs website, China International Trade Single Window, or professional tariff inquiry tools, enter HS code 721020, and view the MFN rate, general rate, VAT, and consumption tax. Note that rates may vary due to free trade agreements, and origin must be confirmed.
Q: What is the difference in classification between aluminum-plated steel plate and galvanized steel plate?
A: Aluminum-plated steel plate is classified under 721020, galvanized steel plate under 721030 or 721049, etc. The key difference is the coating metal: aluminum vs. zinc. The two have different corrosion resistance mechanisms; aluminum coating resists high temperatures, zinc coating provides sacrificial anode protection.
Q: Which code is aluminum-plated steel plate with a width of exactly 600 mm classified under?
A: Width of 600 mm or more is classified under 721020. If the width is 600 mm, it meets the description of heading 7210 and should be classified under 721020. If width is less than 600 mm, it is classified under 7212.
Q: If aluminum-plated steel plate is cut but not made into specific articles, is it still classified under 721020?
A: If only cut into rectangles (including cut-to-length sheets), it is still classified under 721020. If cut into non-rectangular shapes, punched, bent, or further processed, it may be classified under 7326 or other article headings.
Q: How to fill in 'Coating type' when declaring?
A: The coating composition should be accurately filled in, such as 'aluminum', 'aluminum-silicon alloy'. If it is aluminum-silicon alloy, the silicon content must be indicated. Avoid general writing 'aluminum-plated' to avoid confusion with pure aluminum.
Q: What is the difference between 721020 and 721250?
A: 721250 is aluminum-plated steel plate of a width less than 600 mm, 721020 is width of 600 mm or more. When classifying, first determine the width, then the coating.
Q: Is the HS code the same when exporting aluminum-plated steel plate to the EU?
A: The first 6 digits of the EU HS code are consistent with the international, 721020 is the same. But the latter digits may differ, need to check the EU TARIC database. Use Chinese code for export declaration, and local code for import customs clearance in the importing country.
Q: If aluminum-plated steel plate is used for automotive exhaust systems, is there anything special about classification?
A: If it is still a flat-rolled product, classify under 721020. If it has been processed into exhaust system parts, classify under 8708, etc. Classification depends on the degree of processing and use, not the final use.
⚠️ 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.