Chapter 72 covers iron and steel and articles of iron and steel, 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 metal chapters in the HS, covering the full chain of classification from raw materials to finished products. Heading 7220 falls under the category of flat-rolled products of stainless steel, but only covers products that are hot-rolled and not clad, plated or coated, usually with a width of not less than 600mm. Heading 7220 specifically covers flat-rolled products of stainless steel, but the following conditions must be met: 1) The material is stainless steel (carbon content ≤1.2% by weight, chromium content ≥10.5%); 2) It has undergone hot rolling but no further cold rolling; 3) It is not clad, plated or coated; 4) Any width (but usually refers to wide plate with width ≥600mm; narrow strip falls under 7221 or 7222). This heading is further subdivided by thickness, whether further processed, etc. First 2 digits 72: indicates Chapter 72, iron and steel, covering all iron and steel and most articles of iron and steel. Digits 3-4, 20: indicates heading 7220, i.e., flat-rolled products of stainless steel, hot-rolled, not clad, plated or coated. Digits 5-6, 12: indicates subheading 7220.12, specifically hot-rolled coils of stainless steel with a thickness of less than 3mm (but 7220.12 usually refers to hot-rolled stainless steel coils with thickness <3mm, not further worked after hot rolling, width ≥600mm). The complete code 722012 means: Chapter 72, heading 20, subheading 12, referring to hot-rolled stainless steel coils, thickness <3mm, not clad, plated or coated. This commodity is classified under 722012 rather than adjacent codes for the following core reasons: 1) The material is stainless steel, excluding 7219 (hot-rolled plates of other alloy steel); 2) It is in the hot-rolled state, excluding 7221 (cold-rolled stainless steel plate); 3) It is not clad, plated or coated, excluding 7222 (clad, plated or coated stainless steel plate); 4) Thickness <3mm, distinguishing it from 722011 (thickness ≥3mm). Width ≥600mm also excludes narrow strip (classified under 7221 or 7222).
Chapter
Chapter 72 covers iron and steel and articles of iron and steel, 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 metal chapters in the HS, covering the full chain of classification from raw materials to finished products. Heading 7220 falls under the category of flat-rolled products of stainless steel, but only covers products that are hot-rolled and not clad, plated or coated, usually with a width of not less than 600mm.
Heading
Heading 7220 specifically covers flat-rolled products of stainless steel, but the following conditions must be met: 1) The material is stainless steel (carbon content ≤1.2% by weight, chromium content ≥10.5%); 2) It has undergone hot rolling but no further cold rolling; 3) It is not clad, plated or coated; 4) Any width (but usually refers to wide plate with width ≥600mm; narrow strip falls under 7221 or 7222). This heading is further subdivided by thickness, whether further processed, etc.
Digit Breakdown
First 2 digits 72: indicates Chapter 72, iron and steel, covering all iron and steel and most articles of iron and steel. Digits 3-4, 20: indicates heading 7220, i.e., flat-rolled products of stainless steel, hot-rolled, not clad, plated or coated. Digits 5-6, 12: indicates subheading 7220.12, specifically hot-rolled coils of stainless steel with a thickness of less than 3mm (but 7220.12 usually refers to hot-rolled stainless steel coils with thickness <3mm, not further worked after hot rolling, width ≥600mm). The complete code 722012 means: Chapter 72, heading 20, subheading 12, referring to hot-rolled stainless steel coils, thickness <3mm, not clad, plated or coated.
Classification Basis
This commodity is classified under 722012 rather than adjacent codes for the following core reasons: 1) The material is stainless steel, excluding 7219 (hot-rolled plates of other alloy steel); 2) It is in the hot-rolled state, excluding 7221 (cold-rolled stainless steel plate); 3) It is not clad, plated or coated, excluding 7222 (clad, plated or coated stainless steel plate); 4) Thickness <3mm, distinguishing it from 722011 (thickness ≥3mm). Width ≥600mm also excludes narrow strip (classified under 7221 or 7222).
📝 Declaration Elements
Product Name: The standard name of the declared commodity, which should reflect the material, processing state and shape, such as "hot-rolled stainless steel coil". Material: Specific stainless steel grade (such as 304, 316L) and chemical composition, requiring indication of the content of major elements such as chromium and nickel. Processing State: Clearly state that it is hot-rolled and has not undergone subsequent processing such as cold rolling, cladding, plating or coating. Specifications and Dimensions: Thickness, width, length (for coils, indicate inner diameter, outer diameter, coil weight); thickness must be accurate to the millimeter. Brand: Manufacturer or brand name; if no brand, fill in "unbranded". Use: Brief description of the final use, such as "used for manufacturing kitchenware, chemical equipment", etc. Coil/Plate: Clearly state whether it is coil or cut-to-length plate; for coils, provide coil number and other information. Product Name: Hot-rolled stainless steel coil; Material: 304 stainless steel (chromium 18%, nickel 8%); Processing State: hot-rolled, not cold-rolled, not clad; Specifications: thickness 2.0mm, width 1219mm, coil weight 10 tons; Brand: TISCO; Use: used for manufacturing kitchenware; Coil: yes. Thickness threshold: when thickness is exactly 3mm, it is necessary to confirm whether it is less than 3mm; otherwise it is classified under 722011. Width misjudgment: products with width <600mm should be classified under 7221 or 7222, not 722012. Processing state confusion: pickling after hot rolling is still considered hot-rolled, but if cold-rolled, it is classified under 7221. Material misdeclaration: stainless steel with chromium content <10.5% does not meet the definition and should be classified as other alloy steel.
Product Name
The standard name of the declared commodity, which should reflect the material, processing state and shape, such as "hot-rolled stainless steel coil".
⚠️ Writing only "stainless steel plate" without indicating hot-rolled and coil state, resulting in ambiguous classification.
Material
Specific stainless steel grade (such as 304, 316L) and chemical composition, requiring indication of the content of major elements such as chromium and nickel.
⚠️ Writing only "stainless steel" without providing grade or composition, making it impossible to determine whether it falls within the scope of stainless steel.
Processing State
Clearly state that it is hot-rolled and has not undergone subsequent processing such as cold rolling, cladding, plating or coating.
⚠️ Mistakenly declaring hot-rolled, pickled or annealed coils as cold-rolled, resulting in classification errors.
Specifications and Dimensions
Thickness, width, length (for coils, indicate inner diameter, outer diameter, coil weight); thickness must be accurate to the millimeter.
⚠️ Using incorrect units for thickness (e.g., inches not converted), or failing to indicate whether width is ≥600mm.
Brand
Manufacturer or brand name; if no brand, fill in "unbranded".
⚠️ Mistakenly filling in the trader's name as the brand, or omitting it, making traceability impossible.
Use
Brief description of the final use, such as "used for manufacturing kitchenware, chemical equipment", etc.
⚠️ Use description is too general, such as "industrial use", which cannot assist classification.
Coil/Plate
Clearly state whether it is coil or cut-to-length plate; for coils, provide coil number and other information.
⚠️ Declaring coil as plate, affecting subheading determination.
Example： Product Name: Hot-rolled stainless steel coil; Material: 304 stainless steel (chromium 18%, nickel 8%); Processing State: hot-rolled, not cold-rolled, not clad; Specifications: thickness 2.0mm, width 1219mm, coil weight 10 tons; Brand: TISCO; Use: used for manufacturing kitchenware; Coil: yes.
Common Mistakes：
Thickness threshold: when thickness is exactly 3mm, it is necessary to confirm whether it is less than 3mm; otherwise it is classified under 722011.
Width misjudgment: products with width <600mm should be classified under 7221 or 7222, not 722012.
Processing state confusion: pickling after hot rolling is still considered hot-rolled, but if cold-rolled, it is classified under 7221.
Material misdeclaration: stainless steel with chromium content <10.5% does not meet the definition and should be classified as other alloy steel.
🎯 Classification Logic
Core criteria for classification: 1) The material must be stainless steel, i.e., carbon content ≤1.2% by weight and chromium content ≥10.5%; 2) The processing method is hot rolling, without cold rolling, cladding, plating or coating; 3) The form is flat-rolled product with width ≥600mm; 4) Thickness <3mm (subheading 722012). At the same time, 722011 (thickness ≥3mm), 7221 (cold-rolled stainless steel plate), 7222 (clad, plated or coated stainless steel plate) and 7219 (hot-rolled plates of other alloy steel) must be excluded. 722011 Hot-rolled stainless steel plate, thickness ≥3mm: Thickness ≥3mm, whereas 722012 requires thickness <3mm. Thickness must be accurately measured during classification, and threshold values require caution. 722020 Cold-rolled stainless steel plate: Has undergone cold rolling, with higher surface finish and thinner thickness. Hot-rolled plates usually have oxide scale, while cold-rolled plates do not. 722090 Other flat-rolled products of stainless steel: Refers to narrow strips of stainless steel with width <600mm, or plates that have undergone further processing (such as cladding, plating). 721933 Cold-rolled plates of other alloy steel: The material is other alloy steel (not stainless steel), and it is in the cold-rolled state. Stainless steel requires chromium ≥10.5%. Confirm the material is stainless steel (chromium ≥10.5%, carbon ≤1.2%). Confirm the processing state is hot-rolled, not cold-rolled, not clad. Confirm width ≥600mm; otherwise classify under 7221 or 7222. Confirm thickness <3mm; otherwise classify under 722011. Confirm whether it is coil; coil versus plate may affect the subheading.
Basis
Core criteria for classification: 1) The material must be stainless steel, i.e., carbon content ≤1.2% by weight and chromium content ≥10.5%; 2) The processing method is hot rolling, without cold rolling, cladding, plating or coating; 3) The form is flat-rolled product with width ≥600mm; 4) Thickness <3mm (subheading 722012). At the same time, 722011 (thickness ≥3mm), 7221 (cold-rolled stainless steel plate), 7222 (clad, plated or coated stainless steel plate) and 7219 (hot-rolled plates of other alloy steel) must be excluded.
Thickness ≥3mm, whereas 722012 requires thickness <3mm. Thickness must be accurately measured during classification, and threshold values require caution.
722020 - Cold-rolled stainless steel plate
Has undergone cold rolling, with higher surface finish and thinner thickness. Hot-rolled plates usually have oxide scale, while cold-rolled plates do not.
722090 - Other flat-rolled products of stainless steel
Refers to narrow strips of stainless steel with width <600mm, or plates that have undergone further processing (such as cladding, plating).
721933 - Cold-rolled plates of other alloy steel
The material is other alloy steel (not stainless steel), and it is in the cold-rolled state. Stainless steel requires chromium ≥10.5%.
Self-Check：
✓ Confirm the material is stainless steel (chromium ≥10.5%, carbon ≤1.2%).
✓ Confirm the processing state is hot-rolled, not cold-rolled, not clad.
✓ Confirm width ≥600mm; otherwise classify under 7221 or 7222.
✓ Confirm thickness <3mm; otherwise classify under 722011.
✓ Confirm whether it is coil; coil versus plate may affect the subheading.
❓ FAQ
How do I check the import tariff rate for 722012? You can use the official website of the General Administration of Customs of China, the International Trade Single Window, or professional tariff inquiry tools. Enter HS code 722012 and select the country of origin, trade mode and other conditions to obtain the MFN rate, agreement rate, etc. Note that rates are adjusted according to policy, and the latest published rates should prevail. Does the HS code change after hot-rolled stainless steel coil undergoes pickling? Pickling is a common treatment after hot rolling to remove oxide scale and does not change its hot-rolled nature. Therefore, it is still classified under 722012, but when declaring, "hot-rolled pickled" should be indicated to distinguish it from non-pickled products. If it is cold-rolled after pickling, it is classified under 7221. What is the main difference between 722012 and 722011? The main difference is thickness: 722011 is hot-rolled stainless steel plate with thickness ≥3mm, while 722012 is thickness <3mm. Thickness must be accurately measured during classification, and unit conversion (such as inches to millimeters) should be noted. Which code should hot-rolled stainless steel plate with width less than 600mm be classified under? Hot-rolled stainless steel plate with width <600mm should be classified under 7221 (hot-rolled narrow strip of stainless steel) or 7222 (other narrow strip of stainless steel), depending on the processing state. 722012 applies only to wide plate with width ≥600mm. What test reports are required when declaring 722012? Usually material certificates (chemical composition analysis), mechanical property reports, dimensional inspection reports, etc. are required. Customs may require third-party test reports to verify the stainless steel composition and thickness. If the surface of hot-rolled stainless steel plate has a coating, can it still be classified under 722012? No. 722012 requires not clad, plated or coated. If the surface has a coating (such as paint or plastic), it should be classified under 7222 (clad, plated or coated stainless steel plate). What is the export tax rebate rate for 722012? The export tax rebate rate is periodically adjusted by the State Taxation Administration, and the latest export tax rebate rate database should be consulted. It can usually be checked through the electronic tax bureau or tax rebate declaration system; entering the HS code will display the current rebate rate. How should cross-border e-commerce sales of hot-rolled stainless steel coil be declared? Cross-border e-commerce is usually declared under the personal article or small parcel model, but if exported in bulk, it must be declared under general trade with complete customs declaration documents. It is recommended to consult a professional customs broker to ensure accurate classification and avoid return or penalties due to coding errors.
Q: How do I check the import tariff rate for 722012?
A: You can use the official website of the General Administration of Customs of China, the International Trade Single Window, or professional tariff inquiry tools. Enter HS code 722012 and select the country of origin, trade mode and other conditions to obtain the MFN rate, agreement rate, etc. Note that rates are adjusted according to policy, and the latest published rates should prevail.
Q: Does the HS code change after hot-rolled stainless steel coil undergoes pickling?
A: Pickling is a common treatment after hot rolling to remove oxide scale and does not change its hot-rolled nature. Therefore, it is still classified under 722012, but when declaring, "hot-rolled pickled" should be indicated to distinguish it from non-pickled products. If it is cold-rolled after pickling, it is classified under 7221.
Q: What is the main difference between 722012 and 722011?
A: The main difference is thickness: 722011 is hot-rolled stainless steel plate with thickness ≥3mm, while 722012 is thickness <3mm. Thickness must be accurately measured during classification, and unit conversion (such as inches to millimeters) should be noted.
Q: Which code should hot-rolled stainless steel plate with width less than 600mm be classified under?
A: Hot-rolled stainless steel plate with width <600mm should be classified under 7221 (hot-rolled narrow strip of stainless steel) or 7222 (other narrow strip of stainless steel), depending on the processing state. 722012 applies only to wide plate with width ≥600mm.
Q: What test reports are required when declaring 722012?
A: Usually material certificates (chemical composition analysis), mechanical property reports, dimensional inspection reports, etc. are required. Customs may require third-party test reports to verify the stainless steel composition and thickness.
Q: If the surface of hot-rolled stainless steel plate has a coating, can it still be classified under 722012?
A: No. 722012 requires not clad, plated or coated. If the surface has a coating (such as paint or plastic), it should be classified under 7222 (clad, plated or coated stainless steel plate).
Q: What is the export tax rebate rate for 722012?
A: The export tax rebate rate is periodically adjusted by the State Taxation Administration, and the latest export tax rebate rate database should be consulted. It can usually be checked through the electronic tax bureau or tax rebate declaration system; entering the HS code will display the current rebate rate.
Q: How should cross-border e-commerce sales of hot-rolled stainless steel coil be declared?
A: Cross-border e-commerce is usually declared under the personal article or small parcel model, but if exported in bulk, it must be declared under general trade with complete customs declaration documents. It is recommended to consult a professional customs broker to ensure accurate classification and avoid return or penalties due to coding errors.
⚠️ 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.