Chapter 72 covers iron and steel smelting and preliminary processed products, including pig iron, ferroalloys, waste and scrap, ingots and semi-finished products (such as slabs and billets), as well as hot-rolled/cold-rolled flat-rolled products, bars, profiles, etc. However, further processed steel products (such as painted, plated, or coated) may be classified under other chapters if they exceed the scope of the chapter notes. This chapter is a core chapter in the steel trade, involving a large volume of global basic industrial goods. Heading 7212 covers flat-rolled products of iron or non-alloy steel, of a width of less than 600 mm, which have been further processed (such as painted, galvanized, plastic-coated, etc.). This includes cold-rolled then painted, tin-plated, chromium-plated, oiled, etc. However, it does not include painted sheets of a width of 600 mm or more (classified under 7210) or alloy steels such as high-speed steel or silicon electrical steel (classified under 7225, etc.). Code 721250 is a 6-digit subheading: the first 2 digits '72' represent Chapter 72 (Iron and steel); digits 3-4 '12' represent heading 7212 (flat-rolled products of non-alloy steel, of a width of less than 600 mm, painted, plated or coated); digits 5-6 '50' represent subheading 7212.50, i.e., other painted or coated products (such as plastic-coated, painted, varnished, etc.) other than tin-plated, galvanized, or chromium-plated. Note: if the coating is zinc (electro-galvanized or hot-dip galvanized), it should be classified under 7212.30; if tin, under 7212.10; if chromium, under 7212.20. This commodity is painted carbon steel sheet, of a width of less than 600 mm, and is non-alloy steel, having undergone painting treatment. Since painting constitutes 'further processing' as listed under heading 7212, and it does not fall under other subheadings (such as tin-plated or galvanized), it is classified under 7212.50. If the width is 600 mm or more, it would be classified under 7210; if it were alloy steel, it would be classified under 7225 or 7226.
Chapter
Chapter 72 covers iron and steel smelting and preliminary processed products, including pig iron, ferroalloys, waste and scrap, ingots and semi-finished products (such as slabs and billets), as well as hot-rolled/cold-rolled flat-rolled products, bars, profiles, etc. However, further processed steel products (such as painted, plated, or coated) may be classified under other chapters if they exceed the scope of the chapter notes. This chapter is a core chapter in the steel trade, involving a large volume of global basic industrial goods.
Heading
Heading 7212 covers flat-rolled products of iron or non-alloy steel, of a width of less than 600 mm, which have been further processed (such as painted, galvanized, plastic-coated, etc.). This includes cold-rolled then painted, tin-plated, chromium-plated, oiled, etc. However, it does not include painted sheets of a width of 600 mm or more (classified under 7210) or alloy steels such as high-speed steel or silicon electrical steel (classified under 7225, etc.).
Digit Breakdown
Code 721250 is a 6-digit subheading: the first 2 digits '72' represent Chapter 72 (Iron and steel); digits 3-4 '12' represent heading 7212 (flat-rolled products of non-alloy steel, of a width of less than 600 mm, painted, plated or coated); digits 5-6 '50' represent subheading 7212.50, i.e., other painted or coated products (such as plastic-coated, painted, varnished, etc.) other than tin-plated, galvanized, or chromium-plated. Note: if the coating is zinc (electro-galvanized or hot-dip galvanized), it should be classified under 7212.30; if tin, under 7212.10; if chromium, under 7212.20.
Classification Basis
This commodity is painted carbon steel sheet, of a width of less than 600 mm, and is non-alloy steel, having undergone painting treatment. Since painting constitutes 'further processing' as listed under heading 7212, and it does not fall under other subheadings (such as tin-plated or galvanized), it is classified under 7212.50. If the width is 600 mm or more, it would be classified under 7210; if it were alloy steel, it would be classified under 7225 or 7226.
📝 Declaration Elements
Product Name: The standard name of the declared commodity, which should include key information such as material, processing technique, and shape, e.g., 'painted carbon steel sheet'. Material: Clearly state it is non-alloy steel (carbon steel), and may indicate the carbon content range, e.g., 'low carbon steel'. Specifications and Dimensions: Declare thickness, width, and length (if coil, indicate coil width); the width must be less than 600 mm. Processing Technique: Describe as 'cold-rolled then painted' or 'painted', and indicate the coating type (e.g., alkyd paint, polyester paint). Coating Type: Specifically state the coating material, such as 'paint', 'varnish', 'plastic coating', etc. Use: Briefly state the final use, such as 'used for home appliance housings, architectural decoration'. Brand or Model: If there is a brand or model, it should be declared to facilitate customs identification. Product Name: Painted carbon steel sheet; Material: Non-alloy steel (low carbon steel); Specifications: Thickness 0.5mm, width 500mm, coil; Processing Technique: Cold-rolled then painted; Coating Type: Polyester paint; Use: Used for home appliance housings; Brand: Baosteel; Model: BPC-500. Width declaration error: Classifying 600 mm and above under 7212, when it should actually be classified under 7210. Coating type confusion: Misreporting galvanized sheet as painted sheet, which should be classified under 7212.30. Material misreporting: Misreporting alloy steel as non-alloy steel, which should be classified under 7225 or 7226.
Product Name
The standard name of the declared commodity, which should include key information such as material, processing technique, and shape, e.g., 'painted carbon steel sheet'.
⚠️ Only writing 'steel sheet' or 'iron sheet', without reflecting the painting and carbon steel material.
Material
Clearly state it is non-alloy steel (carbon steel), and may indicate the carbon content range, e.g., 'low carbon steel'.
⚠️ Mistakenly writing it as alloy steel or stainless steel, leading to classification errors.
Specifications and Dimensions
Declare thickness, width, and length (if coil, indicate coil width); the width must be less than 600 mm.
⚠️ Not indicating width, or declaring width as 600 mm or more.
Processing Technique
Describe as 'cold-rolled then painted' or 'painted', and indicate the coating type (e.g., alkyd paint, polyester paint).
⚠️ Only writing 'painted', without specifying the substrate processing method (e.g., cold-rolled).
Coating Type
Specifically state the coating material, such as 'paint', 'varnish', 'plastic coating', etc.
⚠️ Misreporting galvanized as painted, leading to subheading errors.
Use
Briefly state the final use, such as 'used for home appliance housings, architectural decoration'.
⚠️ Use description is too broad, such as 'industrial use'.
Brand or Model
If there is a brand or model, it should be declared to facilitate customs identification.
⚠️ Ignoring brand and model, resulting in inability to match during inspection.
Example： Product Name: Painted carbon steel sheet; Material: Non-alloy steel (low carbon steel); Specifications: Thickness 0.5mm, width 500mm, coil; Processing Technique: Cold-rolled then painted; Coating Type: Polyester paint; Use: Used for home appliance housings; Brand: Baosteel; Model: BPC-500.
Common Mistakes：
Width declaration error: Classifying 600 mm and above under 7212, when it should actually be classified under 7210.
Coating type confusion: Misreporting galvanized sheet as painted sheet, which should be classified under 7212.30.
Material misreporting: Misreporting alloy steel as non-alloy steel, which should be classified under 7225 or 7226.
🎯 Classification Logic
Core classification basis: 1. Material is non-alloy steel; 2. Width is less than 600 mm; 3. Has undergone painting treatment (not tin-plated, galvanized, etc.); 4. Flat-rolled product. All must be satisfied to classify under 7212.50. If width is 600 mm or more, classify under 7210; if alloy steel, under 7225/7226; if galvanized, under 7212.30. 7210 Painted non-alloy steel flat-rolled products of a width of 600 mm or more: Different width; 7210 is wide sheet, 7212 is narrow sheet (<600 mm). 7212.30 Galvanized non-alloy steel narrow sheet: Coating is zinc (electro-galvanized or hot-dip galvanized), not paint. 7225 Alloy steel wide sheet: Material is alloy steel, and width is 600 mm or more. 7226 Alloy steel narrow sheet: Material is alloy steel, width <600 mm, but coating may be painted. Is the material non-alloy steel? Is the width less than 600 mm? Is the coating paint rather than zinc or tin? Is it a flat-rolled product (not bar, profile, or wire)? Is the processing technique cold-rolled then painted?
Basis
Core classification basis: 1. Material is non-alloy steel; 2. Width is less than 600 mm; 3. Has undergone painting treatment (not tin-plated, galvanized, etc.); 4. Flat-rolled product. All must be satisfied to classify under 7212.50. If width is 600 mm or more, classify under 7210; if alloy steel, under 7225/7226; if galvanized, under 7212.30.
Confused Codes：
7210 - Painted non-alloy steel flat-rolled products of a width of 600 mm or more
Different width; 7210 is wide sheet, 7212 is narrow sheet (<600 mm).
7212.30 - Galvanized non-alloy steel narrow sheet
Coating is zinc (electro-galvanized or hot-dip galvanized), not paint.
7225 - Alloy steel wide sheet
Material is alloy steel, and width is 600 mm or more.
7226 - Alloy steel narrow sheet
Material is alloy steel, width <600 mm, but coating may be painted.
Self-Check：
✓ Is the material non-alloy steel?
✓ Is the width less than 600 mm?
✓ Is the coating paint rather than zinc or tin?
✓ Is it a flat-rolled product (not bar, profile, or wire)?
✓ Is the processing technique cold-rolled then painted?
❓ FAQ
How do I check the import tariff rate for 721250? You can check through the official website of the General Administration of Customs of China or the International Trade Single Window. Enter HS code 721250, select the country of origin and trade mode, and the system will display the MFN rate, general rate, VAT, etc. Note that tariff rates are subject to policy adjustments; please refer to the latest published rates. What is the difference in classification between painted carbon steel sheet and galvanized carbon steel sheet? Painted carbon steel sheet is classified under 7212.50, and galvanized carbon steel sheet is classified under 7212.30. The key difference lies in the coating material: paint (organic coating) versus zinc (metallic coating). Proof of coating type is required at declaration. If the width of painted carbon steel sheet is exactly 600 mm, which code should it be classified under? Width of 600 mm and above is classified under 7210, and less than 600 mm under 7212. Therefore, 600 mm should be classified under the corresponding subheading of 7210, such as 7210.70 (painted). Is a coating composition test report required at declaration? Usually not required, but customs may request one if classification is in doubt. It is recommended to retain coating material proof, such as a composition statement or test report provided by the supplier, for inspection. What is the difference between 721250 and 721260? 721250 is painted or plastic-coated, etc., non-metallic coating; 721260 is clad, plated or coated (but not elsewhere specified). In practice, 721260 has been abolished; currently the subheadings under 7212 are 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, etc. Please refer to the latest tariff schedule. Can 721250 be used for cross-border e-commerce retail export of painted carbon steel sheet? Yes, but note that retail exports are usually subject to postal tax or cross-border e-commerce comprehensive tax, and classification is still based on the HS code. Ensure the goods comply with the reasonable quantity for personal use; otherwise, general trade customs declaration may be required. If painted carbon steel sheet has undergone cutting, stamping, or other processing, is it still classified under 721250? If only cut or stamped but the essential character is unchanged, it may still be classified under 721250; if further processed into articles (such as auto parts), it is classified under Chapter 73 or Chapter 87, etc. The determination depends on the degree of processing.
Q: How do I check the import tariff rate for 721250?
A: You can check through the official website of the General Administration of Customs of China or the International Trade Single Window. Enter HS code 721250, select the country of origin and trade mode, and the system will display the MFN rate, general rate, VAT, etc. Note that tariff rates are subject to policy adjustments; please refer to the latest published rates.
Q: What is the difference in classification between painted carbon steel sheet and galvanized carbon steel sheet?
A: Painted carbon steel sheet is classified under 7212.50, and galvanized carbon steel sheet is classified under 7212.30. The key difference lies in the coating material: paint (organic coating) versus zinc (metallic coating). Proof of coating type is required at declaration.
Q: If the width of painted carbon steel sheet is exactly 600 mm, which code should it be classified under?
A: Width of 600 mm and above is classified under 7210, and less than 600 mm under 7212. Therefore, 600 mm should be classified under the corresponding subheading of 7210, such as 7210.70 (painted).
Q: Is a coating composition test report required at declaration?
A: Usually not required, but customs may request one if classification is in doubt. It is recommended to retain coating material proof, such as a composition statement or test report provided by the supplier, for inspection.
Q: What is the difference between 721250 and 721260?
A: 721250 is painted or plastic-coated, etc., non-metallic coating; 721260 is clad, plated or coated (but not elsewhere specified). In practice, 721260 has been abolished; currently the subheadings under 7212 are 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, etc. Please refer to the latest tariff schedule.
Q: Can 721250 be used for cross-border e-commerce retail export of painted carbon steel sheet?
A: Yes, but note that retail exports are usually subject to postal tax or cross-border e-commerce comprehensive tax, and classification is still based on the HS code. Ensure the goods comply with the reasonable quantity for personal use; otherwise, general trade customs declaration may be required.
Q: If painted carbon steel sheet has undergone cutting, stamping, or other processing, is it still classified under 721250?
A: If only cut or stamped but the essential character is unchanged, it may still be classified under 721250; if further processed into articles (such as auto parts), it is classified under Chapter 73 or Chapter 87, etc. The determination depends on the degree of processing.
⚠️ 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.