Chapter 72 covers basic materials for the entire steel industry chain, including pig iron, ferroalloys, scrap, primary ingots and semi-finished products (such as billets and slabs), as well as hot-rolled/cold-rolled bars, rods, angles, sections, plates, strips, and foil. This chapter is layered by smelting form and processing depth; 7215 belongs to cold-finished bars, distinct from hot-rolled (7214) and further cold-drawn (subheadings after 7215). Heading 7215 covers cold-finished (cold-rolled, cold-drawn, cold-ground, etc.) bars and rods of iron or non-alloy steel, including solid bars and hollow drill rods, but excludes products further worked into articles (such as screws or pins) or cold-formed sections. Its core is long products obtained at room temperature by die drawing, turning, or grinding to achieve high precision and smooth surfaces. The first 2 digits 72 = steel chapter; digits 3-4, 15 = heading for cold-finished bars, parallel to 7214 for hot-rolled bars; digits 5-6, 10 = subheading 'cold-finished carbon steel bars,' referring to non-alloy steel with carbon content usually <0.6% (except free-cutting steel), unplated and uncoated. If alloy steel, classify under 7228; stainless steel under 7222. The goods are cold-finished (e.g., cold-drawn) carbon steel bars, not hot-rolled, not alloy, not stainless steel, and not further worked into articles, so they are classified under 7215 rather than 7214 (hot-rolled) or 7228 (alloy steel bars). If cold-drawn and then threaded or made into pins, classify under 7318.
Chapter
Chapter 72 covers basic materials for the entire steel industry chain, including pig iron, ferroalloys, scrap, primary ingots and semi-finished products (such as billets and slabs), as well as hot-rolled/cold-rolled bars, rods, angles, sections, plates, strips, and foil. This chapter is layered by smelting form and processing depth; 7215 belongs to cold-finished bars, distinct from hot-rolled (7214) and further cold-drawn (subheadings after 7215).
Heading
Heading 7215 covers cold-finished (cold-rolled, cold-drawn, cold-ground, etc.) bars and rods of iron or non-alloy steel, including solid bars and hollow drill rods, but excludes products further worked into articles (such as screws or pins) or cold-formed sections. Its core is long products obtained at room temperature by die drawing, turning, or grinding to achieve high precision and smooth surfaces.
Digit Breakdown
The first 2 digits 72 = steel chapter; digits 3-4, 15 = heading for cold-finished bars, parallel to 7214 for hot-rolled bars; digits 5-6, 10 = subheading 'cold-finished carbon steel bars,' referring to non-alloy steel with carbon content usually <0.6% (except free-cutting steel), unplated and uncoated. If alloy steel, classify under 7228; stainless steel under 7222.
Classification Basis
The goods are cold-finished (e.g., cold-drawn) carbon steel bars, not hot-rolled, not alloy, not stainless steel, and not further worked into articles, so they are classified under 7215 rather than 7214 (hot-rolled) or 7228 (alloy steel bars). If cold-drawn and then threaded or made into pins, classify under 7318.
📝 Declaration Elements
Product name: Declare the specific commodity name, such as 'cold-drawn carbon steel bar,' and avoid the general term 'steel.' Material: State non-alloy steel, such as 'carbon steel,' and provide the carbon content range (e.g., C≤0.6%). Processing method: Specify 'cold-finished,' such as cold-drawn, cold-rolled, turned, or ground. Shape: Solid round, square, hexagonal, etc., and state whether it is hollow. Specifications: Diameter or cross-sectional dimensions (mm), length (m). Grade: Standard grades such as Q235, 45#, 20#, etc. Surface treatment: Whether plated, coated, or polished, such as 'unplated, cold-drawn bright finish.' Use: Such as 'used as raw material for mechanical shafts and fasteners.' Product name: cold-drawn carbon steel bar; Material: non-alloy carbon steel, C=0.45%; Processing method: cold-drawn; Shape: solid round; Specifications: diameter 20mm, length 6m; Grade: 45#; Surface treatment: unplated, cold-drawn bright finish; Use: machining mechanical shafts. Reporting cold-drawn as hot-rolled, leading to classification under 7214. Carbon content exceeding 0.6% but not reported, possibly leading to classification under another subheading. Bars that have been threaded should be classified under 7318, but are incorrectly reported as 7215.
Product name
Declare the specific commodity name, such as 'cold-drawn carbon steel bar,' and avoid the general term 'steel.'
⚠️ Writing only 'steel bar' without specifying the processing method.
Material
State non-alloy steel, such as 'carbon steel,' and provide the carbon content range (e.g., C≤0.6%).
⚠️ Writing 'alloy steel' or 'stainless steel.'
Processing method
Specify 'cold-finished,' such as cold-drawn, cold-rolled, turned, or ground.
⚠️ Incorrectly filling in 'hot-rolled' or 'forged.'
Shape
Solid round, square, hexagonal, etc., and state whether it is hollow.
⚠️ Failing to distinguish between solid bars and hollow drill rods.
Specifications
Diameter or cross-sectional dimensions (mm), length (m).
⚠️ Writing only 'diameter 10mm' without length.
Grade
Standard grades such as Q235, 45#, 20#, etc.
⚠️ Grade contradicts the material.
Surface treatment
Whether plated, coated, or polished, such as 'unplated, cold-drawn bright finish.'
⚠️ Omitting plating or coating, leading to classification errors.
Use
Such as 'used as raw material for mechanical shafts and fasteners.'
Reporting cold-drawn as hot-rolled, leading to classification under 7214.
Carbon content exceeding 0.6% but not reported, possibly leading to classification under another subheading.
Bars that have been threaded should be classified under 7318, but are incorrectly reported as 7215.
🎯 Classification Logic
Core classification criteria: 1) Material is non-alloy steel; 2) Processing method is cold-finished (cold-drawn, cold-rolled, etc.); 3) Shape is bar (solid or hollow drill rod); 4) Not further worked into articles. All four elements are indispensable. If alloy steel, classify under 7228; stainless steel under 7222; hot-rolled under 7214. 7214 Hot-rolled carbon steel bars: 7214 is hot-rolled (including forged) without cold working, has scale on the surface, and low dimensional precision; 7215 is cold-finished, with a smooth surface and high dimensional precision. 7228 Alloy steel bars: 7228 is alloy steel (containing boron, chromium, nickel, etc. above limit values), while 7215 is non-alloy steel. Alloying element content is the key distinction. 7222 Stainless steel bars: 7222 is stainless steel (containing chromium ≥10.5%), corrosion-resistant; 7215 is carbon steel, not corrosion-resistant. 7318 Threaded articles: 7318 covers items already threaded or made into screws, bolts, etc.; 7215 covers only bars, not tapped. Is the material non-alloy steel? Is the processing method cold-finished? Is it a bar rather than an article? Is the carbon content within the non-alloy steel range? Is the surface unplated or uncoated?
Basis
Core classification criteria: 1) Material is non-alloy steel; 2) Processing method is cold-finished (cold-drawn, cold-rolled, etc.); 3) Shape is bar (solid or hollow drill rod); 4) Not further worked into articles. All four elements are indispensable. If alloy steel, classify under 7228; stainless steel under 7222; hot-rolled under 7214.
Confused Codes：
7214 - Hot-rolled carbon steel bars
7214 is hot-rolled (including forged) without cold working, has scale on the surface, and low dimensional precision; 7215 is cold-finished, with a smooth surface and high dimensional precision.
7228 - Alloy steel bars
7228 is alloy steel (containing boron, chromium, nickel, etc. above limit values), while 7215 is non-alloy steel. Alloying element content is the key distinction.
7222 - Stainless steel bars
7222 is stainless steel (containing chromium ≥10.5%), corrosion-resistant; 7215 is carbon steel, not corrosion-resistant.
7318 - Threaded articles
7318 covers items already threaded or made into screws, bolts, etc.; 7215 covers only bars, not tapped.
Self-Check：
✓ Is the material non-alloy steel?
✓ Is the processing method cold-finished?
✓ Is it a bar rather than an article?
✓ Is the carbon content within the non-alloy steel range?
✓ Is the surface unplated or uncoated?
❓ FAQ
How can I check the import tariff rate for 721510? You can check through the General Administration of Customs website or the International Trade Single Window. Enter HS code 721510, select the country of origin and trade mode, and the system will display the MFN rate, general rate, or preferential rate. Tariff rates may be adjusted, so the latest announcement shall prevail. How are cold-drawn carbon steel bars and hot-rolled carbon steel bars distinguished during customs declaration? Mainly by processing method and surface condition. Cold-drawn bars have a smooth surface and high dimensional precision, usually with cold-working marks; hot-rolled bars have scale on the surface and large dimensional tolerances. A processing technology description must be provided at declaration. What is the difference between 721510 and 721550? 721510 is cold-finished carbon steel bars (non-alloy steel), while 721550 is other cold-finished bars (such as free-cutting steel). If the carbon content or sulfur and phosphorus content meets the free-cutting steel standard, classify under 721550. If carbon steel bars are galvanized, can they still be classified under 721510? No. Galvanizing is a surface treatment and should be classified under a plated subheading after 7215 or 7217 (iron wire), etc. 721510 is limited to unplated, uncoated cold-finished carbon steel bars. How should the 'Material' field be filled in during declaration? Fill in 'non-alloy carbon steel' and indicate the carbon content range, such as C=0.20%~0.60%. Avoid writing only 'carbon steel' or 'iron.' What is the export tax rebate for cold-finished carbon steel bars? The export tax rebate rate must be checked in the latest export tax rebate rate database, usually determined by commodity code and export date. It can be checked on the China Export Tax Rebate Consulting Network or the Electronic Tax Bureau. Can imports of 721510 from ASEAN enjoy the preferential tariff rate? It is necessary to confirm whether the commodity is on the tariff reduction list of the China-ASEAN Free Trade Agreement and provide a certificate of origin (Form E). The specific rate shall be determined by the customs system. If the bar diameter is less than 1mm, is it still classified under 721510? It is still classified under 721510, but if the diameter is extremely small and it is in coils, it may be regarded as wire and classified under 7217. Bars usually refer to straight lengths or wire rods, and must be judged according to the actual form.
Q: How can I check the import tariff rate for 721510?
A: You can check through the General Administration of Customs website or the International Trade Single Window. Enter HS code 721510, select the country of origin and trade mode, and the system will display the MFN rate, general rate, or preferential rate. Tariff rates may be adjusted, so the latest announcement shall prevail.
Q: How are cold-drawn carbon steel bars and hot-rolled carbon steel bars distinguished during customs declaration?
A: Mainly by processing method and surface condition. Cold-drawn bars have a smooth surface and high dimensional precision, usually with cold-working marks; hot-rolled bars have scale on the surface and large dimensional tolerances. A processing technology description must be provided at declaration.
Q: What is the difference between 721510 and 721550?
A: 721510 is cold-finished carbon steel bars (non-alloy steel), while 721550 is other cold-finished bars (such as free-cutting steel). If the carbon content or sulfur and phosphorus content meets the free-cutting steel standard, classify under 721550.
Q: If carbon steel bars are galvanized, can they still be classified under 721510?
A: No. Galvanizing is a surface treatment and should be classified under a plated subheading after 7215 or 7217 (iron wire), etc. 721510 is limited to unplated, uncoated cold-finished carbon steel bars.
Q: How should the 'Material' field be filled in during declaration?
A: Fill in 'non-alloy carbon steel' and indicate the carbon content range, such as C=0.20%~0.60%. Avoid writing only 'carbon steel' or 'iron.'
Q: What is the export tax rebate for cold-finished carbon steel bars?
A: The export tax rebate rate must be checked in the latest export tax rebate rate database, usually determined by commodity code and export date. It can be checked on the China Export Tax Rebate Consulting Network or the Electronic Tax Bureau.
Q: Can imports of 721510 from ASEAN enjoy the preferential tariff rate?
A: It is necessary to confirm whether the commodity is on the tariff reduction list of the China-ASEAN Free Trade Agreement and provide a certificate of origin (Form E). The specific rate shall be determined by the customs system.
Q: If the bar diameter is less than 1mm, is it still classified under 721510?
A: It is still classified under 721510, but if the diameter is extremely small and it is in coils, it may be regarded as wire and classified under 7217. Bars usually refer to straight lengths or wire rods, and must be judged according to the actual form.
⚠️ 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.