Chapter 72 covers iron and steel and articles thereof, including pig iron, ferroalloys, direct reduced iron, ferrous waste and scrap, ingots, semi-finished products, flat-rolled products, bars, rods, angles, shapes, sections, tubes, etc. This chapter is one of the most important chapters for metal materials in international trade, covering a wide range of commodities from primary smelting products to final steel products. Heading 7218 covers stainless steel ingots and other primary forms of stainless steel, as well as semi-finished products of stainless steel. Specifically includes: stainless steel ingots, stainless steel slabs, stainless steel billets, stainless steel round billets, etc. These products are usually obtained through smelting, casting or continuous casting, and are used for subsequent rolling or forging processing. First 2 digits 72: indicates Chapter 72 Iron and steel. Digits 3-4 18: indicates heading 7218, i.e., stainless steel ingots and other primary forms of stainless steel; semi-finished products of stainless steel. Digits 5-6 10: indicates subheading 721810, i.e., stainless steel ingots and other primary forms of stainless steel. This subheading further distinguishes specific shapes, such as ingots, slabs, billets, etc. This commodity is a stainless steel ingot, belonging to primary forms of stainless steel, not subjected to rolling or forging processing, therefore classified under 7218 rather than 7219 (stainless steel flat-rolled products) or 7220 (stainless steel bars). At the same time, because it is made of stainless steel, it is distinguished from ordinary steel ingots (classified under 7206).
Chapter
Chapter 72 covers iron and steel and articles thereof, including pig iron, ferroalloys, direct reduced iron, ferrous waste and scrap, ingots, semi-finished products, flat-rolled products, bars, rods, angles, shapes, sections, tubes, etc. This chapter is one of the most important chapters for metal materials in international trade, covering a wide range of commodities from primary smelting products to final steel products.
Heading
Heading 7218 covers stainless steel ingots and other primary forms of stainless steel, as well as semi-finished products of stainless steel. Specifically includes: stainless steel ingots, stainless steel slabs, stainless steel billets, stainless steel round billets, etc. These products are usually obtained through smelting, casting or continuous casting, and are used for subsequent rolling or forging processing.
Digit Breakdown
First 2 digits 72: indicates Chapter 72 Iron and steel. Digits 3-4 18: indicates heading 7218, i.e., stainless steel ingots and other primary forms of stainless steel; semi-finished products of stainless steel. Digits 5-6 10: indicates subheading 721810, i.e., stainless steel ingots and other primary forms of stainless steel. This subheading further distinguishes specific shapes, such as ingots, slabs, billets, etc.
Classification Basis
This commodity is a stainless steel ingot, belonging to primary forms of stainless steel, not subjected to rolling or forging processing, therefore classified under 7218 rather than 7219 (stainless steel flat-rolled products) or 7220 (stainless steel bars). At the same time, because it is made of stainless steel, it is distinguished from ordinary steel ingots (classified under 7206).
📝 Declaration Elements
Product name: The Chinese and English names of the declared commodity should accurately reflect the product attributes, such as 'stainless steel ingot' or 'stainless steel billet'. Material: Indicate the specific grade or composition of the stainless steel, such as 304, 316, etc., as well as the content of main alloying elements. Shape: Describe the physical shape of the commodity, such as ingot, slab, billet, round billet, etc. Specifications and dimensions: Provide the specific dimensions of the commodity, such as length, width, thickness, diameter, etc., to confirm whether it is in primary form. Degree of processing: Indicate whether it has undergone further processing such as rolling or forging, such as 'not rolled', 'cast only', etc. Use: Briefly describe the final use of the commodity, such as 'for rolling plates', 'for forging flanges', etc. Brand: If there is a brand, declare the brand name; if no brand, declare 'no brand'. Origin: Declare the country or region of origin of the commodity, which affects tariffs and trade policies. Product name: Stainless steel ingot; Material: 304 stainless steel; Shape: Ingot; Specifications: Length 2000mm × Width 500mm × Thickness 300mm; Degree of processing: Not rolled; Use: For rolling stainless steel plates; Brand: No brand; Origin: China. Confusing stainless steel ingots with ordinary steel ingots; ordinary steel ingots are classified under 7206, while stainless steel ingots are classified under 7218. Mistakenly classifying rolled stainless steel semi-finished products under 7218, when they should actually be classified under 7219 or 7220. Failure to provide specific grade at declaration, making it impossible to determine whether it is stainless steel, and it may be classified under other headings.
Product name
The Chinese and English names of the declared commodity should accurately reflect the product attributes, such as 'stainless steel ingot' or 'stainless steel billet'.
⚠️ Misdeclared as 'stainless steel plate' or 'stainless steel bar', leading to classification errors.
Material
Indicate the specific grade or composition of the stainless steel, such as 304, 316, etc., as well as the content of main alloying elements.
⚠️ Only filling in 'stainless steel' without providing specific grade or composition, affecting classification.
Shape
Describe the physical shape of the commodity, such as ingot, slab, billet, round billet, etc.
⚠️ Misdeclaring 'continuous casting billet' as 'ingot'; the two have different shapes but both belong to 7218.
Specifications and dimensions
Provide the specific dimensions of the commodity, such as length, width, thickness, diameter, etc., to confirm whether it is in primary form.
⚠️ Not providing dimensions, making it impossible to determine whether it has been rolled.
Degree of processing
Indicate whether it has undergone further processing such as rolling or forging, such as 'not rolled', 'cast only', etc.
⚠️ Misdeclaring rolled semi-finished products as primary forms.
Use
Briefly describe the final use of the commodity, such as 'for rolling plates', 'for forging flanges', etc.
⚠️ Use description too general, such as 'for industrial use'.
Brand
If there is a brand, declare the brand name; if no brand, declare 'no brand'.
⚠️ Neglecting brand declaration, resulting in omission.
Origin
Declare the country or region of origin of the commodity, which affects tariffs and trade policies.
⚠️ False declaration of origin, which may trigger anti-dumping investigations.
Example： Product name: Stainless steel ingot; Material: 304 stainless steel; Shape: Ingot; Specifications: Length 2000mm × Width 500mm × Thickness 300mm; Degree of processing: Not rolled; Use: For rolling stainless steel plates; Brand: No brand; Origin: China.
Common Mistakes：
Confusing stainless steel ingots with ordinary steel ingots; ordinary steel ingots are classified under 7206, while stainless steel ingots are classified under 7218.
Mistakenly classifying rolled stainless steel semi-finished products under 7218, when they should actually be classified under 7219 or 7220.
Failure to provide specific grade at declaration, making it impossible to determine whether it is stainless steel, and it may be classified under other headings.
🎯 Classification Logic
Core classification criteria: First confirm the material is stainless steel (by weight, carbon content ≤1.2%, chromium content ≥10.5%), then confirm the shape is primary form (ingot, slab, billet, etc.) or semi-finished product, and has not undergone further processing such as rolling or forging. If rolled, it should be classified under headings 7219 or 7220. 7206 Iron and non-alloy steel ingots: 7206 is ordinary steel ingots, not stainless steel; 7218 is stainless steel ingots, different material. 7219 Stainless steel flat-rolled products: 7219 is rolled stainless steel flat-rolled products, while 7218 is primary forms or semi-finished products. 7220 Stainless steel bars: 7220 is rolled stainless steel bars, 7218 is ingots or billets. 7224 Other alloy steel ingots: 7224 is other alloy steel ingots, not including stainless steel; 7218 specifically refers to stainless steel. Is the material stainless steel? Is the shape a primary form such as ingot, slab, billet, etc.? Has it not been rolled or forged? Is it intended for subsequent rolling or forging? Is it confused with ordinary steel ingots?
Basis
Core classification criteria: First confirm the material is stainless steel (by weight, carbon content ≤1.2%, chromium content ≥10.5%), then confirm the shape is primary form (ingot, slab, billet, etc.) or semi-finished product, and has not undergone further processing such as rolling or forging. If rolled, it should be classified under headings 7219 or 7220.
Confused Codes：
7206 - Iron and non-alloy steel ingots
7206 is ordinary steel ingots, not stainless steel; 7218 is stainless steel ingots, different material.
7219 - Stainless steel flat-rolled products
7219 is rolled stainless steel flat-rolled products, while 7218 is primary forms or semi-finished products.
7220 - Stainless steel bars
7220 is rolled stainless steel bars, 7218 is ingots or billets.
7224 - Other alloy steel ingots
7224 is other alloy steel ingots, not including stainless steel; 7218 specifically refers to stainless steel.
Self-Check：
✓ Is the material stainless steel?
✓ Is the shape a primary form such as ingot, slab, billet, etc.?
✓ Has it not been rolled or forged?
✓ Is it intended for subsequent rolling or forging?
✓ Is it confused with ordinary steel ingots?
❓ FAQ
How to inquire about the tariff rate for HS code 721810? It can be inquired through the official website of the General Administration of Customs of China, the International Trade Single Window, or professional customs declaration software. Tariff rates may vary due to origin, trade agreements, etc., and the latest published rates should be used. What is the difference between the HS codes for stainless steel ingots and ordinary steel ingots? Stainless steel ingots are classified under 7218, ordinary steel ingots under 7206. The main difference is the material: stainless steel must contain chromium ≥10.5%, while ordinary steel does not contain or contains lower chromium. What declaration elements must be provided when declaring stainless steel ingots? Product name, material, shape, specifications and dimensions, degree of processing, use, brand, origin, etc. must be provided. Material and degree of processing are key and affect classification. Which code should stainless steel continuous casting billets be classified under? Stainless steel continuous casting billets are semi-finished products; if they are slabs, billets, etc., they are still classified under 7218. However, if already rolled, they are classified under 7219 or 7220. What taxes and fees are required for importing stainless steel ingots? Usually tariffs and value-added tax are required, and the specific rates depend on the origin and trade agreements. In addition, anti-dumping duties may be involved, and the latest policies should be checked. How to determine whether a stainless steel ingot has been rolled? Rolling changes the shape and dimensions, such as from ingot to plate, bar, etc. If there are rolling marks on the surface or high dimensional precision, it may have been rolled and should be classified under other codes. Is the classification of stainless steel ingots affected by dimensions? Dimensions are not the determining factor, but if the dimensions meet the definition of semi-finished products (such as thickness greater than a certain value), they are still classified under 7218. The key is whether it has been rolled. When exporting stainless steel ingots to the EU, is the HS code the same? The first 6 digits of the HS code are internationally unified, but the EU may use a 10-digit code. When exporting, the EU TARIC code must be confirmed to determine the specific tariff rate and control requirements.
Q: How to inquire about the tariff rate for HS code 721810?
A: It can be inquired through the official website of the General Administration of Customs of China, the International Trade Single Window, or professional customs declaration software. Tariff rates may vary due to origin, trade agreements, etc., and the latest published rates should be used.
Q: What is the difference between the HS codes for stainless steel ingots and ordinary steel ingots?
A: Stainless steel ingots are classified under 7218, ordinary steel ingots under 7206. The main difference is the material: stainless steel must contain chromium ≥10.5%, while ordinary steel does not contain or contains lower chromium.
Q: What declaration elements must be provided when declaring stainless steel ingots?
A: Product name, material, shape, specifications and dimensions, degree of processing, use, brand, origin, etc. must be provided. Material and degree of processing are key and affect classification.
Q: Which code should stainless steel continuous casting billets be classified under?
A: Stainless steel continuous casting billets are semi-finished products; if they are slabs, billets, etc., they are still classified under 7218. However, if already rolled, they are classified under 7219 or 7220.
Q: What taxes and fees are required for importing stainless steel ingots?
A: Usually tariffs and value-added tax are required, and the specific rates depend on the origin and trade agreements. In addition, anti-dumping duties may be involved, and the latest policies should be checked.
Q: How to determine whether a stainless steel ingot has been rolled?
A: Rolling changes the shape and dimensions, such as from ingot to plate, bar, etc. If there are rolling marks on the surface or high dimensional precision, it may have been rolled and should be classified under other codes.
Q: Is the classification of stainless steel ingots affected by dimensions?
A: Dimensions are not the determining factor, but if the dimensions meet the definition of semi-finished products (such as thickness greater than a certain value), they are still classified under 7218. The key is whether it has been rolled.
Q: When exporting stainless steel ingots to the EU, is the HS code the same?
A: The first 6 digits of the HS code are internationally unified, but the EU may use a 10-digit code. When exporting, the EU TARIC code must be confirmed to determine the specific tariff rate and control requirements.
⚠️ 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.