Chapter 72 covers iron and steel smelting and primary iron and steel products, including iron ore, pig iron, ferroalloys, steel ingots, semi-finished steel products, and rolled plates, bars, wire rods, etc. This chapter is the core chapter for iron and steel products in the HS, covering the complete industrial chain from raw materials to finished products, but excluding iron and steel products that have been further processed into mechanical parts or articles (classified in Chapters 73-82). Heading 7210 covers flat-rolled products of a width of 600 mm or more, clad, plated or coated (not in coils or in coils), including tin-plated, lead-plated, zinc-plated, aluminum-plated, painted, etc. This heading is subdivided into various coating types, such as 7210.11-7210.12 for tinplate, 7210.20 for lead-plated sheets, 7210.30-7210.50 for zinc-plated sheets, 7210.70 for painted sheets, etc. First 2 digits 72: Chapter 72 Iron and steel, indicating the basic material of the commodity is iron or steel. Digits 3-4: 10: Heading 7210, referring to flat-rolled products of a width of 600 mm or more, clad, plated or coated (not in coils or in coils), distinguished from other flat-rolled products (such as hot-rolled 7211, cold-rolled 7212). Digits 5-6: 41: Subheading 721041, specifically referring to lead-plated steel sheets, i.e., flat-rolled products with a surface plated with lead or lead alloy, usually used in corrosion-resistant environments. This commodity is a lead-plated steel sheet, belonging to coated flat-rolled products of a width of 600 mm or more, conforming to the description of heading 7210. The lead-plating process is a metal coating, different from painting (7210.70) or zinc-plating (7210.30), and the lead layer gives it specific corrosion resistance, so it is classified under 7210.41 rather than adjacent codes.
Chapter
Chapter 72 covers iron and steel smelting and primary iron and steel products, including iron ore, pig iron, ferroalloys, steel ingots, semi-finished steel products, and rolled plates, bars, wire rods, etc. This chapter is the core chapter for iron and steel products in the HS, covering the complete industrial chain from raw materials to finished products, but excluding iron and steel products that have been further processed into mechanical parts or articles (classified in Chapters 73-82).
Heading
Heading 7210 covers flat-rolled products of a width of 600 mm or more, clad, plated or coated (not in coils or in coils), including tin-plated, lead-plated, zinc-plated, aluminum-plated, painted, etc. This heading is subdivided into various coating types, such as 7210.11-7210.12 for tinplate, 7210.20 for lead-plated sheets, 7210.30-7210.50 for zinc-plated sheets, 7210.70 for painted sheets, etc.
Digit Breakdown
First 2 digits 72: Chapter 72 Iron and steel, indicating the basic material of the commodity is iron or steel. Digits 3-4: 10: Heading 7210, referring to flat-rolled products of a width of 600 mm or more, clad, plated or coated (not in coils or in coils), distinguished from other flat-rolled products (such as hot-rolled 7211, cold-rolled 7212). Digits 5-6: 41: Subheading 721041, specifically referring to lead-plated steel sheets, i.e., flat-rolled products with a surface plated with lead or lead alloy, usually used in corrosion-resistant environments.
Classification Basis
This commodity is a lead-plated steel sheet, belonging to coated flat-rolled products of a width of 600 mm or more, conforming to the description of heading 7210. The lead-plating process is a metal coating, different from painting (7210.70) or zinc-plating (7210.30), and the lead layer gives it specific corrosion resistance, so it is classified under 7210.41 rather than adjacent codes.
📝 Declaration Elements
Product name: Declared commodity name, which should accurately reflect the material and process, such as "lead-plated steel sheet". Material: Specify the base steel type and coating composition, such as "base material is low-carbon steel, coating is pure lead". Specifications and dimensions: Declare thickness, width, and length, ensuring width is 600 mm or more. Processing technology: Describe the lead-plating method, such as hot-dip plating, electroplating, etc. Surface condition: Indicate whether the coating surface is smooth, whether oiled, etc. Use: Declare the main use, such as automobile fuel tanks, chemical equipment, etc. Brand: Declare the manufacturer or brand. Model: Declare the product model or grade. Product name: lead-plated steel sheet; Material: base material is low-carbon steel, coating is pure lead; Specifications: thickness 1.5 mm, width 1000 mm, length 2000 mm; Processing technology: hot-dip lead plating; Surface condition: smooth surface, no oil; Use: used for manufacturing automobile fuel tanks; Brand: Baosteel; Model: LCS-01. Declared width less than 600 mm, may be classified under 7211 or 7212. Coating composition not clarified, mistakenly declared as lead alloy but actually contains other metals. Processing technology description unclear, leading to confusion with painted sheets.
Product name
Declared commodity name, which should accurately reflect the material and process, such as "lead-plated steel sheet".
⚠️ Mistakenly written as "lead sheet" or "lead-coated steel sheet", ignoring that the base material is steel.
Material
Specify the base steel type and coating composition, such as "base material is low-carbon steel, coating is pure lead".
⚠️ Only writing "steel" or "lead", without clarifying the relationship between the coating and the base material.
Specifications and dimensions
Declare thickness, width, and length, ensuring width is 600 mm or more.
⚠️ Omitting width or incorrectly declaring width < 600 mm, leading to classification errors.
Processing technology
Describe the lead-plating method, such as hot-dip plating, electroplating, etc.
⚠️ Vaguely writing "lead-plated" without distinguishing the process.
Surface condition
Indicate whether the coating surface is smooth, whether oiled, etc.
Declare the main use, such as automobile fuel tanks, chemical equipment, etc.
⚠️ Use description is too broad, such as "industrial use".
Brand
Declare the manufacturer or brand.
⚠️ Not indicating "no brand" when there is no brand.
Model
Declare the product model or grade.
⚠️ Confusing model with specifications.
Example： Product name: lead-plated steel sheet; Material: base material is low-carbon steel, coating is pure lead; Specifications: thickness 1.5 mm, width 1000 mm, length 2000 mm; Processing technology: hot-dip lead plating; Surface condition: smooth surface, no oil; Use: used for manufacturing automobile fuel tanks; Brand: Baosteel; Model: LCS-01.
Common Mistakes：
Declared width less than 600 mm, may be classified under 7211 or 7212.
Coating composition not clarified, mistakenly declared as lead alloy but actually contains other metals.
Processing technology description unclear, leading to confusion with painted sheets.
🎯 Classification Logic
Core basis for classification: 1) base material is iron or steel; 2) flat-rolled product, width 600 mm or more; 3) surface plated with lead or lead alloy; 4) not in coils or in coils both acceptable. Need to combine with the Explanatory Notes to the Tariff and customs classification decisions to confirm that the coating is lead rather than other metals. 721020 Lead-plated steel sheet (width < 600 mm): Width < 600 mm, classified under 7210.20, while 721041 requires width 600 mm or more. 721070 Painted steel sheet: Surface is painted rather than lead-plated, coating is non-metallic, classified under 7210.70. 721030 Electro-galvanized steel sheet: Coating is zinc rather than lead, classified under 7210.30. 721240 Painted steel sheet (width < 600 mm): Width < 600 mm and painted, classified under 7212.40. Confirm whether the width is 600 mm or more. Confirm whether the coating is lead or lead alloy. Confirm whether the base material is iron or steel. Confirm whether it has undergone further processing (such as cutting, stamping). Confirm whether it is in coils; being in coils does not affect classification.
Basis
Core basis for classification: 1) base material is iron or steel; 2) flat-rolled product, width 600 mm or more; 3) surface plated with lead or lead alloy; 4) not in coils or in coils both acceptable. Need to combine with the Explanatory Notes to the Tariff and customs classification decisions to confirm that the coating is lead rather than other metals.
Confused Codes：
721020 - Lead-plated steel sheet (width < 600 mm)
Width < 600 mm, classified under 7210.20, while 721041 requires width 600 mm or more.
721070 - Painted steel sheet
Surface is painted rather than lead-plated, coating is non-metallic, classified under 7210.70.
721030 - Electro-galvanized steel sheet
Coating is zinc rather than lead, classified under 7210.30.
721240 - Painted steel sheet (width < 600 mm)
Width < 600 mm and painted, classified under 7212.40.
Self-Check：
✓ Confirm whether the width is 600 mm or more.
✓ Confirm whether the coating is lead or lead alloy.
✓ Confirm whether the base material is iron or steel.
✓ Confirm whether it has undergone further processing (such as cutting, stamping).
✓ Confirm whether it is in coils; being in coils does not affect classification.
❓ FAQ
How to check the import tariff rate for 721041? It can be checked through the official website of the General Administration of Customs or the "Import and Export Tariff of the People's Republic of China" by entering HS code 721041 to view the MFN rate, general rate, etc. Tariff rates are subject to adjustment; it is recommended to refer to the latest version. What is the difference in classification between lead-plated steel sheet and zinc-plated steel sheet? The main difference lies in the coating metal: lead-plated is classified under 721041, zinc-plated under 721030 or 721049, etc. When classifying, proof of coating composition must be provided. If a lead-plated steel sheet has a width of 500 mm, which code should it be classified under? Lead-plated steel sheet with a width < 600 mm should be classified under 7210.20 (under heading 7210); if it is in coils and width < 600 mm, it may also be classified under 7212. The specific classification depends on the width and processing state. Is a test report required when declaring lead-plated steel sheet? It is recommended to provide one, especially a test report on coating composition and thickness, to prove that it meets the lead-plating characteristics of 721041 and avoid classification disputes. What is the difference between 721041 and 721049? 721041 specifically refers to lead-plated steel sheet, while 721049 refers to other zinc-plated steel sheets (such as hot-dip galvanized). The coatings are different, and the coating metal must be clarified during classification. After cutting, is lead-plated steel sheet still classified under 721041? If only simple processing such as cutting and stamping is performed, it may still be classified under 721041; if processed into specific articles, it may be classified under Chapters 73-82. Judgment should be based on the degree of processing. How to declare lead-plated steel sheet for cross-border e-commerce export? It must be declared under general trade, providing HS code 721041 and filling in the declaration elements. Pay attention to export regulatory conditions, such as whether a license is required. What are the regulatory conditions for 721041? Regulatory conditions may include import licenses, export licenses, etc. Specifically, consult the latest "Customs Regulatory Conditions Table". It is recommended to consult a customs broker or customs.
Q: How to check the import tariff rate for 721041?
A: It can be checked through the official website of the General Administration of Customs or the "Import and Export Tariff of the People's Republic of China" by entering HS code 721041 to view the MFN rate, general rate, etc. Tariff rates are subject to adjustment; it is recommended to refer to the latest version.
Q: What is the difference in classification between lead-plated steel sheet and zinc-plated steel sheet?
A: The main difference lies in the coating metal: lead-plated is classified under 721041, zinc-plated under 721030 or 721049, etc. When classifying, proof of coating composition must be provided.
Q: If a lead-plated steel sheet has a width of 500 mm, which code should it be classified under?
A: Lead-plated steel sheet with a width < 600 mm should be classified under 7210.20 (under heading 7210); if it is in coils and width < 600 mm, it may also be classified under 7212. The specific classification depends on the width and processing state.
Q: Is a test report required when declaring lead-plated steel sheet?
A: It is recommended to provide one, especially a test report on coating composition and thickness, to prove that it meets the lead-plating characteristics of 721041 and avoid classification disputes.
Q: What is the difference between 721041 and 721049?
A: 721041 specifically refers to lead-plated steel sheet, while 721049 refers to other zinc-plated steel sheets (such as hot-dip galvanized). The coatings are different, and the coating metal must be clarified during classification.
Q: After cutting, is lead-plated steel sheet still classified under 721041?
A: If only simple processing such as cutting and stamping is performed, it may still be classified under 721041; if processed into specific articles, it may be classified under Chapters 73-82. Judgment should be based on the degree of processing.
Q: How to declare lead-plated steel sheet for cross-border e-commerce export?
A: It must be declared under general trade, providing HS code 721041 and filling in the declaration elements. Pay attention to export regulatory conditions, such as whether a license is required.
Q: What are the regulatory conditions for 721041?
A: Regulatory conditions may include import licenses, export licenses, etc. Specifically, consult the latest "Customs Regulatory Conditions Table". It is recommended to consult a customs broker or customs.
⚠️ 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.