Chapter 72 covers iron and steel smelting and primary products, including iron ore, pig iron, ferroalloys, steel ingots, semi-finished steel products, and certain finished steel products (such as plates, bars, and sections). This chapter focuses on the basic forms of iron and steel and rolled products that have not undergone further processing, but certain steel products that have undergone surface treatment (such as painting or coating) are still classified in this chapter, provided that the treatment has not changed their essential characteristics. Heading 7210 specifically covers flat-rolled products of iron or non-alloy steel, of a width of 600 mm or more, which have undergone surface treatment such as coating or painting. This includes tin-plated, zinc-plated, painted, and plastic-coated products, but excludes products further processed into formed articles. This heading is further subdivided into various subheadings, distinguished by coating material and thickness, among other factors. Code 721050 consists of 6 digits: the first 2 digits "72" represent Chapter 72 (Iron and Steel). The 3rd-4th digits "10" represent heading 7210, i.e., flat-rolled products of iron or non-alloy steel, of a width of 600 mm or more, coated or painted. The 5th-6th digits "50" represent subheading 721050, specifically "flat-rolled products of iron or non-alloy steel, of a width of 600 mm or more, painted or plastic-coated." Note: If the base metal is alloy steel, it is classified under 7225, etc.; if the width is less than 600 mm, it is classified under 7212. This commodity is painted steel sheet, with a base metal of non-alloy steel, width of 600 mm or more, and surface painted. According to HS rules, painting constitutes surface treatment that does not change the essential characteristics of the steel, so it is classified under 7210. If it were painted alloy steel, it would be classified under 7225; if the width were less than 600 mm, it would be classified under 7212; if it had been further processed (such as stamped) before painting, it might be classified under Chapter 73.
Chapter
Chapter 72 covers iron and steel smelting and primary products, including iron ore, pig iron, ferroalloys, steel ingots, semi-finished steel products, and certain finished steel products (such as plates, bars, and sections). This chapter focuses on the basic forms of iron and steel and rolled products that have not undergone further processing, but certain steel products that have undergone surface treatment (such as painting or coating) are still classified in this chapter, provided that the treatment has not changed their essential characteristics.
Heading
Heading 7210 specifically covers flat-rolled products of iron or non-alloy steel, of a width of 600 mm or more, which have undergone surface treatment such as coating or painting. This includes tin-plated, zinc-plated, painted, and plastic-coated products, but excludes products further processed into formed articles. This heading is further subdivided into various subheadings, distinguished by coating material and thickness, among other factors.
Digit Breakdown
Code 721050 consists of 6 digits: the first 2 digits "72" represent Chapter 72 (Iron and Steel). The 3rd-4th digits "10" represent heading 7210, i.e., flat-rolled products of iron or non-alloy steel, of a width of 600 mm or more, coated or painted. The 5th-6th digits "50" represent subheading 721050, specifically "flat-rolled products of iron or non-alloy steel, of a width of 600 mm or more, painted or plastic-coated." Note: If the base metal is alloy steel, it is classified under 7225, etc.; if the width is less than 600 mm, it is classified under 7212.
Classification Basis
This commodity is painted steel sheet, with a base metal of non-alloy steel, width of 600 mm or more, and surface painted. According to HS rules, painting constitutes surface treatment that does not change the essential characteristics of the steel, so it is classified under 7210. If it were painted alloy steel, it would be classified under 7225; if the width were less than 600 mm, it would be classified under 7212; if it had been further processed (such as stamped) before painting, it might be classified under Chapter 73.
📝 Declaration Elements
Product Name: The declared commodity name should be accurately described as "painted steel sheet" or "plastic-coated steel sheet," and the base metal material should be indicated. Material: Indicate that the base metal is iron or non-alloy steel, such as "non-alloy steel," and specify the main components (such as C content). Specifications and Dimensions: Declare width, thickness, and length (if in coil form, indicate coil); width must be 600 mm or more. Coating Type: Clearly specify the coating as paint or plastic, such as "epoxy resin coating," "polyester coating," etc. Processing Technology: Explain whether the base metal has undergone hot rolling or cold rolling, as well as the painting process (such as roller coating or spray coating). Use: Declare the main use, such as construction, home appliances, automobiles, etc., to assist in classification. Brand and Model: If there is a brand and model, they must be declared truthfully; if there is no brand, indicate "no brand." Product Name: Painted steel sheet; Material: Non-alloy steel, C content 0.05%; Specifications: Width 1250 mm, thickness 0.5 mm, coil; Coating: Polyester paint; Processing Technology: Roller coating after cold rolling; Use: Building exterior wall; Brand: Baosteel; Model: TDC51D+Z. Width declaration error: Must be 600 mm or more, otherwise classified under 7212. Coating type confusion: Paint and plastic coatings are both classified under 721050, but if it is galvanized, it is classified under other subheadings of 7210. Base metal material misreporting: Painted alloy steel should be classified under 7225; only non-alloy steel is classified under 7210.
Product Name
The declared commodity name should be accurately described as "painted steel sheet" or "plastic-coated steel sheet," and the base metal material should be indicated.
⚠️ Writing only "steel sheet" without indicating the coating type, or mistakenly writing "galvanized sheet."
Material
Indicate that the base metal is iron or non-alloy steel, such as "non-alloy steel," and specify the main components (such as C content).
⚠️ Misreporting as alloy steel or stainless steel, leading to classification errors.
Specifications and Dimensions
Declare width, thickness, and length (if in coil form, indicate coil); width must be 600 mm or more.
⚠️ Failing to indicate width, or misreporting width as less than 600 mm.
Coating Type
Clearly specify the coating as paint or plastic, such as "epoxy resin coating," "polyester coating," etc.
⚠️ Writing "coating" in general terms without distinguishing between paint and plastic.
Processing Technology
Explain whether the base metal has undergone hot rolling or cold rolling, as well as the painting process (such as roller coating or spray coating).
⚠️ Omitting the base metal rolling method, which affects subheading determination.
Use
Declare the main use, such as construction, home appliances, automobiles, etc., to assist in classification.
⚠️ Use description is too broad, such as "industrial use."
Brand and Model
If there is a brand and model, they must be declared truthfully; if there is no brand, indicate "no brand."
⚠️ Failing to declare brand or model, resulting in inaccurate declaration.
Example： Product Name: Painted steel sheet; Material: Non-alloy steel, C content 0.05%; Specifications: Width 1250 mm, thickness 0.5 mm, coil; Coating: Polyester paint; Processing Technology: Roller coating after cold rolling; Use: Building exterior wall; Brand: Baosteel; Model: TDC51D+Z.
Common Mistakes：
Width declaration error: Must be 600 mm or more, otherwise classified under 7212.
Coating type confusion: Paint and plastic coatings are both classified under 721050, but if it is galvanized, it is classified under other subheadings of 7210.
Base metal material misreporting: Painted alloy steel should be classified under 7225; only non-alloy steel is classified under 7210.
🎯 Classification Logic
Core basis for classification: 1) Base metal is iron or non-alloy steel; 2) Width is 600 mm or more; 3) Surface has undergone painting or plastic coating treatment; 4) Not further processed into formed articles. If the base metal is alloy steel, it is classified under 7225; if the width is less than 600 mm, it is classified under 7212; if it has undergone stamping, bending, or other processing after painting, it is classified under Chapter 73. 721070 Plastic-coated steel sheet: 721070 is plastic-coated (plastic coating), while 721050 is painted (paint coating). The processes differ, but the coating material must be distinguished during classification. 721240 Painted narrow steel strip: 721240 is painted steel strip of a width less than 600 mm, while 721050 is painted steel sheet of a width of 600 mm or more. Width is the core distinguishing point. 722599 Painted alloy steel sheet: 722599 is painted alloy steel sheet, with a base metal of alloy steel; 721050 has a base metal of non-alloy steel. 721090 Other coated steel sheet: 721090 is steel sheet with other coatings (such as aluminum plating or chromium plating), while 721050 specifically refers to painted or plastic-coated. 732690 Articles of iron or steel: 732690 is other articles of iron or steel; if painted steel sheet has been processed into specific shapes or articles, it is classified under Chapter 73. Is the base metal non-alloy steel? Is the width 600 mm or more? Is the coating paint or plastic? Has it not been further processed into formed articles? Is it confused with adjacent codes?
Basis
Core basis for classification: 1) Base metal is iron or non-alloy steel; 2) Width is 600 mm or more; 3) Surface has undergone painting or plastic coating treatment; 4) Not further processed into formed articles. If the base metal is alloy steel, it is classified under 7225; if the width is less than 600 mm, it is classified under 7212; if it has undergone stamping, bending, or other processing after painting, it is classified under Chapter 73.
Confused Codes：
721070 - Plastic-coated steel sheet
721070 is plastic-coated (plastic coating), while 721050 is painted (paint coating). The processes differ, but the coating material must be distinguished during classification.
721240 - Painted narrow steel strip
721240 is painted steel strip of a width less than 600 mm, while 721050 is painted steel sheet of a width of 600 mm or more. Width is the core distinguishing point.
722599 - Painted alloy steel sheet
722599 is painted alloy steel sheet, with a base metal of alloy steel; 721050 has a base metal of non-alloy steel.
721090 - Other coated steel sheet
721090 is steel sheet with other coatings (such as aluminum plating or chromium plating), while 721050 specifically refers to painted or plastic-coated.
732690 - Articles of iron or steel
732690 is other articles of iron or steel; if painted steel sheet has been processed into specific shapes or articles, it is classified under Chapter 73.
Self-Check：
✓ Is the base metal non-alloy steel?
✓ Is the width 600 mm or more?
✓ Is the coating paint or plastic?
✓ Has it not been further processed into formed articles?
✓ Is it confused with adjacent codes?
❓ FAQ
What is the difference in HS codes between painted steel sheet and galvanized steel sheet? Painted steel sheet (paint coating) is classified under 721050, while galvanized steel sheet is classified under other subheadings of 7210 (such as 721049). The difference lies in the coating material: paint/plastic coatings are classified under 721050, while metallic coatings (such as zinc or aluminum) are classified under other subheadings. Under which code is painted steel sheet with a width of exactly 600 mm classified? Painted non-alloy steel sheet of a width of 600 mm or more is classified under 721050. If the width is less than 600 mm, it is classified under 721240. Note: 600 mm is the critical point and must be measured accurately. Can painted alloy steel sheet be classified under 721050? No. 721050 applies only to non-alloy steel. Painted alloy steel sheet should be classified under 7225 (such as 722599). The base metal material must be determined first during classification. Are plastic-coated steel sheet and painted steel sheet classified the same? No. Plastic-coated steel sheet is classified under 721070, and painted steel sheet is classified under 721050. Although both fall under heading 7210, they are different subheadings, and the coating material must be specified during declaration. If painted steel sheet has been cut into specific shapes, can it still be classified under 721050? No. If it has been cut, stamped, or bent into specific shapes, it exceeds the scope of 7210 and should be classified under Chapter 73 (such as 732690). 721050 applies only to flat products or coils. How should the coating of painted steel sheet be described during declaration? The coating type should be specifically stated, such as "epoxy resin coating," "polyester coating," etc., and whether it is paint or plastic should be indicated. Avoid writing "coating" in general terms. Among the declaration elements for painted steel sheet, which are most prone to error? Width, material, and coating type are most prone to error. Width must be 600 mm or more, material must be non-alloy steel, and coating must be paint or plastic. Any error in any one of these may lead to classification errors. How can I check the import tariff rate for painted steel sheet? Tariff rates change, so it is recommended to check the latest rates through the General Administration of Customs website or the International Trade Single Window. HS code 721050 and the country of origin must be entered, and the system will display the applicable tariff rate (such as MFN rate, agreement rate, etc.).
Q: What is the difference in HS codes between painted steel sheet and galvanized steel sheet?
A: Painted steel sheet (paint coating) is classified under 721050, while galvanized steel sheet is classified under other subheadings of 7210 (such as 721049). The difference lies in the coating material: paint/plastic coatings are classified under 721050, while metallic coatings (such as zinc or aluminum) are classified under other subheadings.
Q: Under which code is painted steel sheet with a width of exactly 600 mm classified?
A: Painted non-alloy steel sheet of a width of 600 mm or more is classified under 721050. If the width is less than 600 mm, it is classified under 721240. Note: 600 mm is the critical point and must be measured accurately.
Q: Can painted alloy steel sheet be classified under 721050?
A: No. 721050 applies only to non-alloy steel. Painted alloy steel sheet should be classified under 7225 (such as 722599). The base metal material must be determined first during classification.
Q: Are plastic-coated steel sheet and painted steel sheet classified the same?
A: No. Plastic-coated steel sheet is classified under 721070, and painted steel sheet is classified under 721050. Although both fall under heading 7210, they are different subheadings, and the coating material must be specified during declaration.
Q: If painted steel sheet has been cut into specific shapes, can it still be classified under 721050?
A: No. If it has been cut, stamped, or bent into specific shapes, it exceeds the scope of 7210 and should be classified under Chapter 73 (such as 732690). 721050 applies only to flat products or coils.
Q: How should the coating of painted steel sheet be described during declaration?
A: The coating type should be specifically stated, such as "epoxy resin coating," "polyester coating," etc., and whether it is paint or plastic should be indicated. Avoid writing "coating" in general terms.
Q: Among the declaration elements for painted steel sheet, which are most prone to error?
A: Width, material, and coating type are most prone to error. Width must be 600 mm or more, material must be non-alloy steel, and coating must be paint or plastic. Any error in any one of these may lead to classification errors.
Q: How can I check the import tariff rate for painted steel sheet?
A: Tariff rates change, so it is recommended to check the latest rates through the General Administration of Customs website or the International Trade Single Window. HS code 721050 and the country of origin must be entered, and the system will display the applicable tariff rate (such as MFN rate, agreement rate, etc.).
⚠️ 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.