Chapter 72 covers the full range of iron and steel, including pig iron, ferroalloys, scrap, primary forms of steel (ingots, blooms), semi-finished products, flat-rolled products, bars and rods, angles, shapes, and sections. This chapter classifies headings according to smelting raw materials, processing forms, and alloy composition, and is the core chapter for steel trade classification. Heading 7218 specifically refers to primary forms and semi-finished products of stainless steel and other alloy steel, including ingots, blooms, slabs, billets, round billets, etc. These products are usually obtained by continuous casting or ingot casting, only roughly forged or rolled, with rectangular, square, round, or other cross-sections, and are the raw materials for subsequent rolling or forging. The first 2 digits 72 indicate Chapter 72, iron and steel; digits 3-4, 18, indicate heading 7218, namely primary forms and semi-finished products of stainless steel and other alloy steel; digits 5-6, 91, are the subheading specifically referring to stainless steel billets. Note that under 7218 there are also subheadings such as 10 (stainless steel ingots), 20 (other alloy steel ingots), 30 (stainless steel slabs), 40 (other alloy steel slabs), 50 (stainless steel billets), 60 (other alloy steel billets), etc.; 91 is a residual subheading specifically for stainless steel billets. This commodity is stainless steel billet, a primary semi-finished product of stainless steel that has not undergone further rolling or forging, and therefore meets the description of heading 7218. The adjacent 7219 covers flat-rolled stainless steel products that have been rolled into plates or coils; 7220 covers stainless steel bars and rods that have been drawn or extruded; subheading 91 of 7218 explicitly covers stainless steel billets, so it is classified under this code.

Product name: The standard name of the declared commodity should use standardized expressions such as "stainless steel billet" or "stainless steel continuously cast billet," avoiding colloquial names. Material: The specific stainless steel grade, such as 304, 316L, 430, etc., which must comply with international or national standards. Shape: The cross-sectional shape of the billet, such as square billet, round billet, slab, etc., which must correspond to the code. Specifications and dimensions: Cross-sectional dimensions (such as side length, diameter, thickness x width) and length, in millimeters. Processing state: State whether it has only undergone continuous casting, rough forging, or rolling, and whether it has undergone further processing. Chemical composition: Content of main alloying elements, such as chromium, nickel, molybdenum, etc., meeting the definition of stainless steel. Use: Downstream processing use, such as rolling into plates, forging flanges, etc. Customs declaration example: Product name: Stainless steel billet Material: 304 stainless steel Shape: Square billet Specifications: 150mm x 150mm x 6000mm Processing state: Continuously cast, not further rolled Chemical composition: C 0.05%, Cr 18.2%, Ni 8.1% Use: For rolling stainless steel bars and rods HS code: 7218910000 Mistakenly classifying stainless steel billets under other subheadings of 7218, such as 721810 (stainless steel ingots), ignoring the difference in shape. Failing to provide chemical composition at declaration, making it impossible to prove the material is stainless steel, possibly resulting in classification as ordinary steel billet. Declaring rolled semi-finished products (such as square steel) as billets, when they should actually be classified under 7220 or 7219.

Core basis for classification: the commodity is made of stainless steel and is in primary form or semi-finished product, not further rolled, forged, or drawn. It must simultaneously meet: 1) the definition of stainless steel (chromium content >= 10.5%); 2) shape as ingot, billet, or other primary form; 3) processing state only continuous casting or rough forging. If already rolled into plates or bars, classify under 7219 or 7220. 721810 Stainless steel ingots: Stainless steel ingots are cast ingots, usually used for remelting or forging, with larger cross-sections; while billets are mostly continuously cast billets, with smaller cross-sections, directly used for rolling. 721891 Stainless steel billets: This code itself; attention must be paid to distinguishing it from subheadings such as 721810 and 721830, with shape and processing state being key. 721899 Other stainless steel semi-finished products: 721899 covers other stainless steel semi-finished products not elsewhere specified, such as profiled billets; while 721891 specifically refers to ordinary billets. 722490 Other alloy steel semi-finished products: 722490 is for other alloy steel (non-stainless), such as steel containing boron or chromium but with chromium content less than 10.5%. Confirm the material is stainless steel with chromium content >= 10.5%. Confirm the shape is billet (square, round, slab, etc.), not ingot or finished product. Confirm the processing state is only continuous casting or rough forging, not rolled. Check the specifications and dimensions to ensure consistency with the declaration. Check whether chemical composition and use description are provided.

How do I check the tax rate for HS code 721891? You can check the import MFN rate, general rate, VAT, and consumption tax by entering code 721891 on the General Administration of Customs website, China International Trade Single Window, or third-party query platforms. Note that tax rates are adjusted, and the latest published rates shall prevail. Are stainless steel billet and 不锈钢坯料 the same thing? Yes, the English name Stainless steel billet corresponds to the Chinese "不锈钢坯料," but note that billet usually refers to square billet; if it is a slab, the English term is slab, and the subheading may differ during classification. What are the consequences of omitting chemical composition at declaration? It may make it impossible for customs to determine whether the material is stainless steel, resulting in classification under ordinary steel billet codes, affecting tax rates and regulatory conditions, and possibly leading to requirements to delete and re-declare or penalties. Will the code change after stainless steel billets are ground or cut? If only surface grinding or fixed-length cutting is performed without changing the basic shape and processing state, it remains classified under 721891; if further rolled or drawn, it is classified under 7219 or 7220. What is the difference between 721891 and 721810? 721810 is stainless steel ingots, usually cast ingots used for remelting or forging; 721891 is stainless steel billets, mostly continuously cast billets, directly used for rolling. Shape and use are the main differences. What regulatory documents are required to import stainless steel billets? Usually an automatic import license, certificate of origin, material certificate, etc. are required, depending on the country of origin and trade mode. It is recommended to consult a customs broker or customs. Can cross-border e-commerce import stainless steel billets? Yes, but they must be declared under general trade; they cannot go through cross-border e-commerce retail channels because billets are bulk commodities and require formal customs declaration. If the declared code is wrong, how can it be corrected? Before customs release, you can apply to the customs at the place of declaration to amend the declaration form; after release, it must be handled through the "voluntary disclosure" or delete-and-redeclare procedure, which may result in late declaration fees or penalties.