Chapter 72 covers iron and steel smelting and preliminary processed products, including pig iron, ferroalloys, scrap steel, steel ingots, semi-finished steel products, and various rolled plates, bars, sections, etc. This chapter is the core chapter of the steel trade, involving a wide range of categories from raw materials to finished products, but excluding further processed products (e.g., products that are still classified in this chapter after coating, but painted, plastic-coated, etc. are classified in other chapters). Heading 7212 covers flat-rolled products of iron or non-alloy steel, of a width of less than 600 mm, clad, plated or coated (e.g., tin-plated, zinc-plated, chromium-plated, painted, etc.). However, if further processing is carried out after coating (e.g., cutting, stamping), they are still classified under this heading, provided that the essential character has not been changed. Under this heading, they are further subdivided according to coating material and processing state. The first 2 digits 72 represent the chapter on iron and steel; digits 3-4, 12, represent flat-rolled products, plated or coated, of a width of less than 600 mm; digits 5-6, 40, further limit it to chromium-plated carbon steel sheets (non-alloy steel). Therefore, 721240 refers to flat-rolled products of non-alloy steel, of a width of less than 600 mm, chromium-plated, usually in coils or cut-to-length sheets. This product is a chromium-plated carbon steel sheet, of a width of less than 600 mm, of non-alloy steel, and the coating is chromium, which conforms to the chromium-plated subheading under heading 7212. If the width is 600 mm or more, it should be classified under 7210; if it is alloy steel, it should be classified under 7225/7226; if the coating is other metal, it should be classified under the corresponding subheading (e.g., 721250 for plated with other materials).
Chapter
Chapter 72 covers iron and steel smelting and preliminary processed products, including pig iron, ferroalloys, scrap steel, steel ingots, semi-finished steel products, and various rolled plates, bars, sections, etc. This chapter is the core chapter of the steel trade, involving a wide range of categories from raw materials to finished products, but excluding further processed products (e.g., products that are still classified in this chapter after coating, but painted, plastic-coated, etc. are classified in other chapters).
Heading
Heading 7212 covers flat-rolled products of iron or non-alloy steel, of a width of less than 600 mm, clad, plated or coated (e.g., tin-plated, zinc-plated, chromium-plated, painted, etc.). However, if further processing is carried out after coating (e.g., cutting, stamping), they are still classified under this heading, provided that the essential character has not been changed. Under this heading, they are further subdivided according to coating material and processing state.
Digit Breakdown
The first 2 digits 72 represent the chapter on iron and steel; digits 3-4, 12, represent flat-rolled products, plated or coated, of a width of less than 600 mm; digits 5-6, 40, further limit it to chromium-plated carbon steel sheets (non-alloy steel). Therefore, 721240 refers to flat-rolled products of non-alloy steel, of a width of less than 600 mm, chromium-plated, usually in coils or cut-to-length sheets.
Classification Basis
This product is a chromium-plated carbon steel sheet, of a width of less than 600 mm, of non-alloy steel, and the coating is chromium, which conforms to the chromium-plated subheading under heading 7212. If the width is 600 mm or more, it should be classified under 7210; if it is alloy steel, it should be classified under 7225/7226; if the coating is other metal, it should be classified under the corresponding subheading (e.g., 721250 for plated with other materials).
📝 Declaration Elements
Product name: The standard name of the declared commodity, such as "chromium-plated carbon steel sheet", which must be consistent with the contract and invoice. Material: Indicate non-alloy steel, and provide the specific grade (e.g., SPCC) and chemical composition if available. Specifications: Includes thickness, width, length (for coils, indicate inner diameter and outer diameter); width must be less than 600 mm. Coating type: Clearly state chromium-plated, and may indicate coating thickness or chromium content. Processing state: Such as cold-rolled, annealed, skin-passed, etc., and whether further processed (e.g., slit). Use: Briefly describe the main use, such as for home appliances, auto parts, etc. Brand or manufacturer: If there is a brand, it must be declared; if there is no brand, fill in "none". Specification model: Such as thickness 0.5 mm, width 500 mm, coil. Product name: chromium-plated carbon steel sheet; Material: non-alloy steel, grade SPCC; Specifications: thickness 0.5 mm, width 500 mm, coil; Coating: chromium-plated, chromium layer thickness 0.02 mm; Processing state: cold-rolled, annealed; Use: for home appliance housings; Brand: none; Specification model: 0.5 mm x 500 mm x C. Width mistakenly reported as 600 mm or more, should be classified under 7210 rather than 7212. Material mistakenly reported as alloy steel, should be classified under 7225/7226. Coating type mistakenly reported as zinc-plated or painted, resulting in an incorrect subheading.
Product name
The standard name of the declared commodity, such as "chromium-plated carbon steel sheet", which must be consistent with the contract and invoice.
⚠️ Mistakenly written as "chromium-plated steel coil" or "chromium plate", failing to reflect the carbon steel material.
Material
Indicate non-alloy steel, and provide the specific grade (e.g., SPCC) and chemical composition if available.
⚠️ Only writing "carbon steel" without stating non-alloy, or mistakenly reporting it as alloy steel.
Specifications
Includes thickness, width, length (for coils, indicate inner diameter and outer diameter); width must be less than 600 mm.
⚠️ Width mistakenly reported as 600 mm or more, resulting in incorrect classification.
Coating type
Clearly state chromium-plated, and may indicate coating thickness or chromium content.
⚠️ Mistakenly reported as zinc-plated, tin-plated, or painted.
Processing state
Such as cold-rolled, annealed, skin-passed, etc., and whether further processed (e.g., slit).
⚠️ Omitting the cold-rolled state, or mistakenly reporting it as hot-rolled.
Use
Briefly describe the main use, such as for home appliances, auto parts, etc.
⚠️ The use description is too broad, such as "industrial use".
Brand or manufacturer
If there is a brand, it must be declared; if there is no brand, fill in "none".
⚠️ Omitting brand information, causing customs to question it.
Specification model
Such as thickness 0.5 mm, width 500 mm, coil.
⚠️ The specification model duplicates or contradicts the specifications column.
Example： Product name: chromium-plated carbon steel sheet; Material: non-alloy steel, grade SPCC; Specifications: thickness 0.5 mm, width 500 mm, coil; Coating: chromium-plated, chromium layer thickness 0.02 mm; Processing state: cold-rolled, annealed; Use: for home appliance housings; Brand: none; Specification model: 0.5 mm x 500 mm x C.
Common Mistakes：
Width mistakenly reported as 600 mm or more, should be classified under 7210 rather than 7212.
Material mistakenly reported as alloy steel, should be classified under 7225/7226.
Coating type mistakenly reported as zinc-plated or painted, resulting in an incorrect subheading.
🎯 Classification Logic
Core basis for classification: 1) Material is non-alloy steel; 2) Width is less than 600 mm; 3) Coating is chromium; 4) Flat-rolled product. If width is 600 mm or more, classify under 7210; if alloy steel, classify under 7225/7226; if the coating is other metal or non-metal, classify under other subheadings of 7212. 7210 Chromium-plated carbon steel sheet of a width of 600 mm or more: Width 600 mm or more is classified under 7210; less than 600 mm is classified under 7212. 721250 Carbon steel sheet plated with other materials: 721250 includes zinc-plated, tin-plated, painted, etc.; 721240 specifically refers to chromium-plated. 7225 Chromium-plated alloy steel sheet: If the material is alloy steel, classify under 7225; non-alloy steel is classified under 7212. 7226 Chromium-plated alloy steel sheet of a width of less than 600 mm: Alloy steel with a width of less than 600 mm is classified under 7226; non-alloy steel is classified under 7212. 7212 Other coated carbon steel sheets: Under 7212, they are subdivided by coating; 721240 is only chromium-plated, and other coatings are classified under 721250, etc. Confirm the material is non-alloy steel. Confirm the width is less than 600 mm. Confirm the coating is chromium. Confirm the flat-rolled product state. Confirm that no further processing has changed the essential character.
Basis
Core basis for classification: 1) Material is non-alloy steel; 2) Width is less than 600 mm; 3) Coating is chromium; 4) Flat-rolled product. If width is 600 mm or more, classify under 7210; if alloy steel, classify under 7225/7226; if the coating is other metal or non-metal, classify under other subheadings of 7212.
Confused Codes：
7210 - Chromium-plated carbon steel sheet of a width of 600 mm or more
Width 600 mm or more is classified under 7210; less than 600 mm is classified under 7212.
721250 - Carbon steel sheet plated with other materials
721250 includes zinc-plated, tin-plated, painted, etc.; 721240 specifically refers to chromium-plated.
7225 - Chromium-plated alloy steel sheet
If the material is alloy steel, classify under 7225; non-alloy steel is classified under 7212.
7226 - Chromium-plated alloy steel sheet of a width of less than 600 mm
Alloy steel with a width of less than 600 mm is classified under 7226; non-alloy steel is classified under 7212.
7212 - Other coated carbon steel sheets
Under 7212, they are subdivided by coating; 721240 is only chromium-plated, and other coatings are classified under 721250, etc.
Self-Check：
✓ Confirm the material is non-alloy steel.
✓ Confirm the width is less than 600 mm.
✓ Confirm the coating is chromium.
✓ Confirm the flat-rolled product state.
✓ Confirm that no further processing has changed the essential character.
❓ FAQ
How can I check the import tax rate for 721240? You can check the MFN rate, general rate, value-added tax, and consumption tax by entering HS code 721240 on the official website of the General Administration of Customs, China International Trade Single Window, or third-party inquiry platforms. Note that tax rates may be adjusted with policy changes, and the latest official data should prevail. What is the difference in classification between chromium-plated carbon steel sheet and zinc-plated carbon steel sheet? Both are flat-rolled products of non-alloy steel, but the coatings are different. Chromium-plated is classified under 721240, and zinc-plated is classified under 721250 (if the width is less than 600 mm). When classifying, the coating type must be accurately declared to avoid confusion. Which code should a chromium-plated carbon steel sheet with a width of exactly 600 mm be classified under? A width of 600 mm or more should be classified under heading 7210, and the specific subheading should be determined according to the coating and processing state. 721240 applies only to chromium-plated carbon steel sheets of a width of less than 600 mm. How should the specification model be filled in when declaring? The specification model should include thickness, width, and length (for coils, indicate coil), such as "0.5 mm x 500 mm x C". At the same time, the dimensions must be listed in detail in the specifications column to ensure consistency with the contract. If the chromium-plated carbon steel sheet is stamped and formed, is it still classified under 721240? If after stamping it has become another article (such as auto parts), it may be classified under other chapters (such as Chapter 87). If it is only simply stamped without changing the essential character, it may still be classified under 721240. This must be judged according to the degree of processing. What documents are required to import chromium-plated carbon steel sheets? Usually, a contract, invoice, packing list, bill of lading, certificate of origin, as well as material certificates, coating test reports, etc., are required. The specific requirements are subject to customs requirements, and it is recommended to consult a customs broker in advance. What is the difference between 721240 and 721260? 721260 is painted or plastic-coated carbon steel sheet, while 721240 is chromium-plated. The coating materials are different, and they must be distinguished when classifying. How should an HS code be selected for cross-border e-commerce sales of chromium-plated carbon steel sheets? It is necessary to confirm the material, width, and coating according to the actual product attributes. If it is a chromium-plated non-alloy steel sheet of a width of less than 600 mm, select 721240. It is recommended to consult a professional customs declarant to ensure compliance.
Q: How can I check the import tax rate for 721240?
A: You can check the MFN rate, general rate, value-added tax, and consumption tax by entering HS code 721240 on the official website of the General Administration of Customs, China International Trade Single Window, or third-party inquiry platforms. Note that tax rates may be adjusted with policy changes, and the latest official data should prevail.
Q: What is the difference in classification between chromium-plated carbon steel sheet and zinc-plated carbon steel sheet?
A: Both are flat-rolled products of non-alloy steel, but the coatings are different. Chromium-plated is classified under 721240, and zinc-plated is classified under 721250 (if the width is less than 600 mm). When classifying, the coating type must be accurately declared to avoid confusion.
Q: Which code should a chromium-plated carbon steel sheet with a width of exactly 600 mm be classified under?
A: A width of 600 mm or more should be classified under heading 7210, and the specific subheading should be determined according to the coating and processing state. 721240 applies only to chromium-plated carbon steel sheets of a width of less than 600 mm.
Q: How should the specification model be filled in when declaring?
A: The specification model should include thickness, width, and length (for coils, indicate coil), such as "0.5 mm x 500 mm x C". At the same time, the dimensions must be listed in detail in the specifications column to ensure consistency with the contract.
Q: If the chromium-plated carbon steel sheet is stamped and formed, is it still classified under 721240?
A: If after stamping it has become another article (such as auto parts), it may be classified under other chapters (such as Chapter 87). If it is only simply stamped without changing the essential character, it may still be classified under 721240. This must be judged according to the degree of processing.
Q: What documents are required to import chromium-plated carbon steel sheets?
A: Usually, a contract, invoice, packing list, bill of lading, certificate of origin, as well as material certificates, coating test reports, etc., are required. The specific requirements are subject to customs requirements, and it is recommended to consult a customs broker in advance.
Q: What is the difference between 721240 and 721260?
A: 721260 is painted or plastic-coated carbon steel sheet, while 721240 is chromium-plated. The coating materials are different, and they must be distinguished when classifying.
Q: How should an HS code be selected for cross-border e-commerce sales of chromium-plated carbon steel sheets?
A: It is necessary to confirm the material, width, and coating according to the actual product attributes. If it is a chromium-plated non-alloy steel sheet of a width of less than 600 mm, select 721240. It is recommended to consult a professional customs declarant to ensure compliance.
⚠️ 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.