Chapter 72 covers the full industrial chain products of steel, from 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 arranged logically by degree of smelting, shape, processing state, etc., and is the core chapter for the classification of steel commodities in international trade. Heading 7210 covers flat-rolled products of iron or non-alloy steel, of a width of 600 mm or more, plated or coated (including tinning, galvanizing, painting, etc.). Note, however, that heading 7210 does not include clad products; clad products should be classified under 7212 or other headings. 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, plated or coated. Digits 5-6 '69' represent subheading 721069: other coated steel plate, that is, other coatings besides common coatings such as tin, lead, zinc, aluminum, chromium, nickel, etc. (such as copper, brass, bronze, etc.) or clad products. Note: heading 7210 itself does not include clad products, but the 'coating' in subheading 721069 actually refers in the HS Explanatory Notes to cladding, that is, covering the steel base with other metal by rolling or other means. This commodity is clad steel plate, with a base of iron or non-alloy steel, a width of 600 mm or more, and the cladding material is other metal (not named metals such as tin, lead, zinc, etc.). Since clad products are excluded from heading 7210, but subheading 721069 explicitly covers 'other coatings,' it is classified under this code. Adjacent codes such as 7210.90 (other coatings) may be confused, but 7210.90 refers only to plating (coating), not cladding.
Chapter
Chapter 72 covers the full industrial chain products of steel, from 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 arranged logically by degree of smelting, shape, processing state, etc., and is the core chapter for the classification of steel commodities in international trade.
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 tinning, galvanizing, painting, etc.). Note, however, that heading 7210 does not include clad products; clad products should be classified under 7212 or other headings.
Digit Breakdown
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, plated or coated. Digits 5-6 '69' represent subheading 721069: other coated steel plate, that is, other coatings besides common coatings such as tin, lead, zinc, aluminum, chromium, nickel, etc. (such as copper, brass, bronze, etc.) or clad products. Note: heading 7210 itself does not include clad products, but the 'coating' in subheading 721069 actually refers in the HS Explanatory Notes to cladding, that is, covering the steel base with other metal by rolling or other means.
Classification Basis
This commodity is clad steel plate, with a base of iron or non-alloy steel, a width of 600 mm or more, and the cladding material is other metal (not named metals such as tin, lead, zinc, etc.). Since clad products are excluded from heading 7210, but subheading 721069 explicitly covers 'other coatings,' it is classified under this code. Adjacent codes such as 7210.90 (other coatings) may be confused, but 7210.90 refers only to plating (coating), not cladding.
📝 Declaration Elements
Product name: The declared commodity name should be specific to the cladding material, such as 'copper-clad steel plate,' 'brass-clad steel plate,' etc. Material: State the material of the base steel (such as non-alloy steel) and the cladding metal material (such as copper, brass, etc.). Specifications and dimensions: Declare width, thickness, and length (such as coil or plate). The width must be 600 mm or more. Processing technology: Explain the cladding process, such as hot-rolled cladding, explosive bonding, roll bonding, etc. Cladding thickness: Declare the thickness or proportion of the cladding metal, used to distinguish plating from cladding. Grade: Declare the grade of the base steel (such as Q235) and the grade of the cladding metal (such as T2 copper). Use: Declare the main use, such as construction, automobiles, home appliances, etc., to assist classification. Product name: copper-clad steel plate; Material: base non-alloy steel, cladding copper; Specifications: width 1200 mm, thickness 3 mm, length 2000 mm; Processing technology: hot-rolled cladding; Cladding thickness: 0.2 mm; Grade: base Q235, cladding T2; Use: architectural decoration. Mistakenly classifying electroplated products under this code; electroplating should be classified under other subheadings of 7210. Declaring a width of less than 600 mm may result in classification under 7212 and other headings. When the cladding material is a named metal such as tin or zinc, it should be classified under the corresponding subheading rather than 721069.
Product name
The declared commodity name should be specific to the cladding material, such as 'copper-clad steel plate,' 'brass-clad steel plate,' etc.
⚠️ Declaring only 'clad steel plate' without indicating the cladding material.
Material
State the material of the base steel (such as non-alloy steel) and the cladding metal material (such as copper, brass, etc.).
⚠️ Confusing the base material with the cladding material, or failing to state the cladding metal.
Specifications and dimensions
Declare width, thickness, and length (such as coil or plate). The width must be 600 mm or more.
⚠️ Failing to indicate width, or incorrectly declaring width, resulting in misclassification.
Processing technology
Explain the cladding process, such as hot-rolled cladding, explosive bonding, roll bonding, etc.
⚠️ Mistakenly reporting electroplating as a cladding process.
Cladding thickness
Declare the thickness or proportion of the cladding metal, used to distinguish plating from cladding.
⚠️ Failing to provide cladding thickness, making it impossible to determine whether it is cladding.
Grade
Declare the grade of the base steel (such as Q235) and the grade of the cladding metal (such as T2 copper).
⚠️ Declaring only the base grade and ignoring the cladding grade.
Use
Declare the main use, such as construction, automobiles, home appliances, etc., to assist classification.
⚠️ The use description is too broad, such as 'industrial use.'
Example： Product name: copper-clad steel plate; Material: base non-alloy steel, cladding copper; Specifications: width 1200 mm, thickness 3 mm, length 2000 mm; Processing technology: hot-rolled cladding; Cladding thickness: 0.2 mm; Grade: base Q235, cladding T2; Use: architectural decoration.
Common Mistakes：
Mistakenly classifying electroplated products under this code; electroplating should be classified under other subheadings of 7210.
Declaring a width of less than 600 mm may result in classification under 7212 and other headings.
When the cladding material is a named metal such as tin or zinc, it should be classified under the corresponding subheading rather than 721069.
🎯 Classification Logic
Core basis for classification: 1) the base is iron or non-alloy steel; 2) width is 600 mm or more; 3) it has undergone cladding, not electroplating or painting; 4) the cladding metal is not a named metal such as tin, lead, zinc, etc. If the above conditions are met, it is classified under 721069. If it is plating (electroplating, hot-dip plating), it is classified under other subheadings of 7210; if the width is less than 600 mm, it is classified under 7212. 721090 Other plated steel plate: 721090 refers to other platings (such as chromium plating, nickel plating), while 721069 refers to cladding, that is, the cladding metal and the base are combined by rolling, not electroplating. 721260 Clad steel plate (width < 600 mm): 721260 is a clad product with a width of less than 600 mm, while 721069 requires a width of 600 mm or more. 721020 Lead-plated steel plate: 721020 specifically refers to lead plating, while 721069 is for other coatings; if the coating is lead, it is classified under 721020. 721050 Chromium-plated or chromium oxide-plated steel plate: 721050 specifically refers to chromium plating; if the coating is chromium, it is classified under 721050, not 721069. Is the base non-alloy steel? Is the width 600 mm or more? Is it cladding rather than electroplating? Is the cladding metal a non-named metal? Are other subheadings excluded?
Basis
Core basis for classification: 1) the base is iron or non-alloy steel; 2) width is 600 mm or more; 3) it has undergone cladding, not electroplating or painting; 4) the cladding metal is not a named metal such as tin, lead, zinc, etc. If the above conditions are met, it is classified under 721069. If it is plating (electroplating, hot-dip plating), it is classified under other subheadings of 7210; if the width is less than 600 mm, it is classified under 7212.
Confused Codes：
721090 - Other plated steel plate
721090 refers to other platings (such as chromium plating, nickel plating), while 721069 refers to cladding, that is, the cladding metal and the base are combined by rolling, not electroplating.
721260 - Clad steel plate (width < 600 mm)
721260 is a clad product with a width of less than 600 mm, while 721069 requires a width of 600 mm or more.
721020 - Lead-plated steel plate
721020 specifically refers to lead plating, while 721069 is for other coatings; if the coating is lead, it is classified under 721020.
721050 - Chromium-plated or chromium oxide-plated steel plate
721050 specifically refers to chromium plating; if the coating is chromium, it is classified under 721050, not 721069.
Self-Check：
✓ Is the base non-alloy steel?
✓ Is the width 600 mm or more?
✓ Is it cladding rather than electroplating?
✓ Is the cladding metal a non-named metal?
✓ Are other subheadings excluded?
❓ FAQ
How do you distinguish clad steel plate from plated steel plate? Cladding is the combination of the cladding metal and the base by rolling or other means, with a metallurgical bond at the interface; plating/coating is the deposition of a metal layer on the surface by electroplating, hot-dip coating, or other methods. Cladding thickness is usually greater, and there is a clear interface between the cladding metal and the base. If clad steel plate has a width of exactly 600 mm, which code should it be classified under? Clad steel plate with a width of 600 mm or more is classified under 721069; if the width is less than 600 mm, it is classified under 721260. Note: width measurement should include all parts and must comply with customs measurement standards. If the cladding material is copper, should it be classified under 721069? Yes, copper is another cladding metal, and if the base is non-alloy steel and the width is 600 mm or more, it is classified under 721069. If the cladding is a copper alloy (such as brass), it is also classified under this code. If clad steel plate is painted, does that affect classification? If it is painted after cladding, it is still classified as cladding; painting does not change the essential character. But if it is only painted without cladding, it is classified under other subheadings of 7210 (such as painted steel plate). How should the cladding process be described when declaring? The cladding method should be specifically stated, such as 'hot-rolled cladding,' 'explosive bonding,' 'roll bonding,' etc., and incorrect descriptions such as 'electroplating' should be avoided. What is the export tax rebate for 721069? The export tax rebate rate changes with policy adjustments. It is recommended to check the latest export tax rebate rate database or consult the local customs. Generally, the rebate rate for steel products ranges from 0 to 13 percent. What documents are required to import clad steel plate? Generally, a contract, invoice, packing list, bill of lading, material certificate, etc. are required. If anti-dumping is involved, a certificate of origin, etc. may also be required. Specific requirements are subject to customs. How can I check the MFN rate for 721069? You can visit the website of the General Administration of Customs of China or use the 'Customs Tariff' query tool, enter HS code 721069, and view the MFN rate, general rate, etc. Note that tariff rates may be adjusted annually.
Q: How do you distinguish clad steel plate from plated steel plate?
A: Cladding is the combination of the cladding metal and the base by rolling or other means, with a metallurgical bond at the interface; plating/coating is the deposition of a metal layer on the surface by electroplating, hot-dip coating, or other methods. Cladding thickness is usually greater, and there is a clear interface between the cladding metal and the base.
Q: If clad steel plate has a width of exactly 600 mm, which code should it be classified under?
A: Clad steel plate with a width of 600 mm or more is classified under 721069; if the width is less than 600 mm, it is classified under 721260. Note: width measurement should include all parts and must comply with customs measurement standards.
Q: If the cladding material is copper, should it be classified under 721069?
A: Yes, copper is another cladding metal, and if the base is non-alloy steel and the width is 600 mm or more, it is classified under 721069. If the cladding is a copper alloy (such as brass), it is also classified under this code.
Q: If clad steel plate is painted, does that affect classification?
A: If it is painted after cladding, it is still classified as cladding; painting does not change the essential character. But if it is only painted without cladding, it is classified under other subheadings of 7210 (such as painted steel plate).
Q: How should the cladding process be described when declaring?
A: The cladding method should be specifically stated, such as 'hot-rolled cladding,' 'explosive bonding,' 'roll bonding,' etc., and incorrect descriptions such as 'electroplating' should be avoided.
Q: What is the export tax rebate for 721069?
A: The export tax rebate rate changes with policy adjustments. It is recommended to check the latest export tax rebate rate database or consult the local customs. Generally, the rebate rate for steel products ranges from 0 to 13 percent.
Q: What documents are required to import clad steel plate?
A: Generally, a contract, invoice, packing list, bill of lading, material certificate, etc. are required. If anti-dumping is involved, a certificate of origin, etc. may also be required. Specific requirements are subject to customs.
Q: How can I check the MFN rate for 721069?
A: You can visit the website of the General Administration of Customs of China or use the 'Customs Tariff' query tool, enter HS code 721069, and view the MFN rate, general rate, etc. Note that tariff rates may be adjusted annually.
⚠️ 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.