Chapter 72 covers iron and steel and articles thereof, including pig iron, ferroalloys, direct reduced iron, scrap steel, steel ingots, semi-finished steel products, flat-rolled products, long products, tubes, etc. This chapter is the most important metal materials chapter in the HS, involving the complete steel industry chain from raw materials to finished products. 7225 belongs to the alloy steel flat-rolled products heading in this chapter, distinguished from ordinary carbon steel (7208-7212) and stainless steel (7219-7222). Heading 7225 covers hot-rolled alloy steel flat-rolled products of a width of 600 mm or more, including coils and non-coils, but excludes stainless steel, high-speed steel, silicon-electrical steel and other specific alloy steels. Products under this heading are usually hot-rolled but not further cold-rolled or surface-treated, may exceed 10 mm in thickness, and are widely used in machinery manufacturing, ships, bridges, pressure vessels and other fields. First 2 digits 72: indicates Chapter 72 iron and steel, covering all iron and steel materials and some articles. Digits 3-4: 25 indicates heading 7225, i.e. hot-rolled alloy steel flat-rolled products of a width of 600 mm or more, in coils or not in coils. Digits 5-6: 30 indicates subheading 722530, i.e. other alloy steel excluding stainless steel, high-speed steel and silicon-electrical steel, hot-rolled, in coils, not further worked. This subheading is distinguished from 722540 (not in coils) and 722550 (cold-rolled). The goods are hot-rolled alloy steel strip, of a width of 600 mm or more, in coils, and the alloy composition meets the requirements of the Chapter 7225 notes (e.g. containing boron, chromium, nickel or other elements exceeding the prescribed thresholds), and therefore is classified under 722530. If the width is less than 600 mm, it is classified under 7226; if it is stainless steel, it is classified under 7219; if it is high-speed steel, it is classified under a specific subheading of 7225.
Chapter
Chapter 72 covers iron and steel and articles thereof, including pig iron, ferroalloys, direct reduced iron, scrap steel, steel ingots, semi-finished steel products, flat-rolled products, long products, tubes, etc. This chapter is the most important metal materials chapter in the HS, involving the complete steel industry chain from raw materials to finished products. 7225 belongs to the alloy steel flat-rolled products heading in this chapter, distinguished from ordinary carbon steel (7208-7212) and stainless steel (7219-7222).
Heading
Heading 7225 covers hot-rolled alloy steel flat-rolled products of a width of 600 mm or more, including coils and non-coils, but excludes stainless steel, high-speed steel, silicon-electrical steel and other specific alloy steels. Products under this heading are usually hot-rolled but not further cold-rolled or surface-treated, may exceed 10 mm in thickness, and are widely used in machinery manufacturing, ships, bridges, pressure vessels and other fields.
Digit Breakdown
First 2 digits 72: indicates Chapter 72 iron and steel, covering all iron and steel materials and some articles. Digits 3-4: 25 indicates heading 7225, i.e. hot-rolled alloy steel flat-rolled products of a width of 600 mm or more, in coils or not in coils. Digits 5-6: 30 indicates subheading 722530, i.e. other alloy steel excluding stainless steel, high-speed steel and silicon-electrical steel, hot-rolled, in coils, not further worked. This subheading is distinguished from 722540 (not in coils) and 722550 (cold-rolled).
Classification Basis
The goods are hot-rolled alloy steel strip, of a width of 600 mm or more, in coils, and the alloy composition meets the requirements of the Chapter 7225 notes (e.g. containing boron, chromium, nickel or other elements exceeding the prescribed thresholds), and therefore is classified under 722530. If the width is less than 600 mm, it is classified under 7226; if it is stainless steel, it is classified under 7219; if it is high-speed steel, it is classified under a specific subheading of 7225.
📝 Declaration Elements
Product name: The standard name of the declared commodity, which should include material, shape and processing state, such as "hot-rolled alloy steel strip". Material composition: Declare the content of main alloying elements (such as chromium, nickel, molybdenum, boron, etc.) and carbon content, which must meet the alloy steel definition in the Chapter 7225 notes. Specifications and dimensions: Declare thickness and width; width must be 600 mm or more, and thickness is usually 4.75 mm or more (hot-rolled coil). Processing state: Clearly state hot-rolled, not clad, not plated or coated, not cold-rolled, only coiled after hot rolling. Coil state: Declare whether in coils or not in coils; for coils, indicate inner diameter, outer diameter and coil weight. Use: Declare the main use, such as machinery manufacturing, automotive structural parts, pipelines, etc., to assist classification. Steel grade: Declare the specific steel grade (such as Q345B, 16Mn, etc.) to facilitate verification of composition and standards. Product name: hot-rolled alloy steel strip; Material composition: C 0.15%, Mn 1.30%, Si 0.30%, P 0.020%, S 0.010%, Cr 0.50%, Ni 0.30%, Mo 0.10%, B 0.002%; Specifications and dimensions: thickness 6.0 mm, width 1250 mm; Processing state: hot-rolled, not pickled, not coated; Coil state: coil, inner diameter 610 mm, outer diameter 1800 mm, coil weight 20 tons; Use: used for manufacturing mechanical structural parts; Steel grade: Q345B. Incorrect width declaration: actual width <600 mm should be classified under 7226, but incorrectly declared as ≥600 mm. Alloying element content does not meet the Chapter 7225 notes requirements and is actually ordinary carbon steel, which should be classified under 7208. Mistakenly reporting simple treatments such as pickling or oiling after hot rolling as cold rolling, resulting in incorrect subheading.
Product name
The standard name of the declared commodity, which should include material, shape and processing state, such as "hot-rolled alloy steel strip".
⚠️ Only writing "steel strip" or "alloy steel" without indicating hot-rolled and strip state.
Material composition
Declare the content of main alloying elements (such as chromium, nickel, molybdenum, boron, etc.) and carbon content, which must meet the alloy steel definition in the Chapter 7225 notes.
⚠️ Providing only carbon content and ignoring alloying element thresholds, leading to incorrect classification.
Specifications and dimensions
Declare thickness and width; width must be 600 mm or more, and thickness is usually 4.75 mm or more (hot-rolled coil).
⚠️ Declared width less than 600 mm, incorrectly classified under 7226; confusion of thickness units.
Processing state
Clearly state hot-rolled, not clad, not plated or coated, not cold-rolled, only coiled after hot rolling.
⚠️ Mistakenly reporting simple treatments such as pickling or oiling as cold rolling or surface treatment.
Coil state
Declare whether in coils or not in coils; for coils, indicate inner diameter, outer diameter and coil weight.
⚠️ Mistakenly reporting non-coil as coil, affecting the distinction between subheadings 722530 and 722540.
Use
Declare the main use, such as machinery manufacturing, automotive structural parts, pipelines, etc., to assist classification.
⚠️ Use description too broad, such as "industrial use", which cannot assist judgment.
Steel grade
Declare the specific steel grade (such as Q345B, 16Mn, etc.) to facilitate verification of composition and standards.
⚠️ Grade inconsistent with composition, or use of non-standard grades.
Example： Product name: hot-rolled alloy steel strip; Material composition: C 0.15%, Mn 1.30%, Si 0.30%, P 0.020%, S 0.010%, Cr 0.50%, Ni 0.30%, Mo 0.10%, B 0.002%; Specifications and dimensions: thickness 6.0 mm, width 1250 mm; Processing state: hot-rolled, not pickled, not coated; Coil state: coil, inner diameter 610 mm, outer diameter 1800 mm, coil weight 20 tons; Use: used for manufacturing mechanical structural parts; Steel grade: Q345B.
Common Mistakes：
Incorrect width declaration: actual width <600 mm should be classified under 7226, but incorrectly declared as ≥600 mm.
Alloying element content does not meet the Chapter 7225 notes requirements and is actually ordinary carbon steel, which should be classified under 7208.
Mistakenly reporting simple treatments such as pickling or oiling after hot rolling as cold rolling, resulting in incorrect subheading.
🎯 Classification Logic
Core basis for classification: 1) the material is alloy steel, meeting the definition of alloy steel in the Chapter 72 notes (e.g. containing boron ≥0.0008% or other alloying elements exceeding the threshold); 2) width ≥600 mm; 3) hot-rolled, in coils; 4) not further cold-rolled or surface-treated. At the same time, specific headings such as stainless steel, high-speed steel and silicon-electrical steel must be excluded. 7208 Hot-rolled ordinary carbon steel coil: 7208 is ordinary carbon steel, with alloying element content not reaching the alloy steel standard; 722530 is alloy steel, with alloying element content exceeding the Chapter notes threshold. 722540 Hot-rolled alloy steel not in coils: 722540 is not in coils (plate, sheet), while 722530 is in coils. Coils and flat plates differ in rolling process and use. 722550 Cold-rolled alloy steel coil: 722550 is cold-rolled, thinner and with high surface finish; 722530 is hot-rolled, with oxide scale on the surface and greater thickness. 722691 Hot-rolled alloy steel narrow strip: 722691 has a width <600 mm, while 722530 has a width ≥600 mm. Width is the key to distinguishing the headings. 7219 Stainless steel hot-rolled coil: 7219 is stainless steel, containing chromium ≥10.5%; 722530 is other alloy steel, usually with lower chromium content. Is the width ≥600 mm? Does the alloying element content meet the Chapter 7225 notes? Is it hot-rolled and not cold-rolled? Is it in coils? Are stainless steel, high-speed steel and silicon-electrical steel excluded?
Basis
Core basis for classification: 1) the material is alloy steel, meeting the definition of alloy steel in the Chapter 72 notes (e.g. containing boron ≥0.0008% or other alloying elements exceeding the threshold); 2) width ≥600 mm; 3) hot-rolled, in coils; 4) not further cold-rolled or surface-treated. At the same time, specific headings such as stainless steel, high-speed steel and silicon-electrical steel must be excluded.
Confused Codes：
7208 - Hot-rolled ordinary carbon steel coil
7208 is ordinary carbon steel, with alloying element content not reaching the alloy steel standard; 722530 is alloy steel, with alloying element content exceeding the Chapter notes threshold.
722540 - Hot-rolled alloy steel not in coils
722540 is not in coils (plate, sheet), while 722530 is in coils. Coils and flat plates differ in rolling process and use.
722550 - Cold-rolled alloy steel coil
722550 is cold-rolled, thinner and with high surface finish; 722530 is hot-rolled, with oxide scale on the surface and greater thickness.
722691 - Hot-rolled alloy steel narrow strip
722691 has a width <600 mm, while 722530 has a width ≥600 mm. Width is the key to distinguishing the headings.
7219 - Stainless steel hot-rolled coil
7219 is stainless steel, containing chromium ≥10.5%; 722530 is other alloy steel, usually with lower chromium content.
Self-Check：
✓ Is the width ≥600 mm?
✓ Does the alloying element content meet the Chapter 7225 notes?
✓ Is it hot-rolled and not cold-rolled?
✓ Is it in coils?
✓ Are stainless steel, high-speed steel and silicon-electrical steel excluded?
❓ FAQ
How can I check the import tariff rate for 722530? It can be checked through the official website of the General Administration of Customs of China, the International Trade Single Window, or the Import and Export Tariff of the People's Republic of China. The rate may change due to trade agreements, origin and other factors, and the latest tariff and customs announcements should prevail. What is the main difference between 722530 and 722540? 722530 is in coils, while 722540 is not in coils (such as flat plates). Coils are usually produced by hot continuous rolling mills and delivered in coils; non-coils are cut to length or rolled as single sheets. Classification should be judged according to the actual delivery state. If my steel strip width is 600 mm, which code should it be classified under? A width of exactly 600 mm meets the condition of heading 7225 "width ≥600 mm" and should be classified under 722530 (if in coils) or 722540 (not in coils). If the width is 599 mm, it is classified under 7226. Is hot-rolled and then pickled alloy steel coil still classified under 722530? Pickling is a surface treatment and does not change the hot-rolled state, so it is still classified under 722530. However, if it has been cold-rolled, it is classified under 722550. Simple treatments such as pickling and oiling do not affect hot-rolled classification. How can I determine whether my steel is alloy steel? According to the Chapter 72 notes, alloy steel must contain certain amounts of alloying elements (such as aluminum, chromium, cobalt, copper, manganese, molybdenum, nickel, titanium, tungsten, vanadium, zirconium, etc.) exceeding the prescribed thresholds, or contain boron ≥0.0008%. The specific thresholds can be found in the chapter notes. What test reports are required when declaring 722530? Usually a Mill Certificate is required, listing chemical composition and mechanical properties. Customs may require third-party test reports to verify alloying element content, width and other specifications. What is the export tax rebate rate for 722530? The export tax rebate rate changes with national policies. It is recommended to check the latest export tax rebate rate database of the State Taxation Administration. Usually the rebate rate for alloy steel strip differs from that for ordinary steel, and the commodity code shall prevail. If the goods are actually alloy steel but the width is <600 mm, which code should they be classified under? Alloy steel strip with a width <600 mm should be classified under heading 7226, with the specific subheading further determined according to the processing state (hot-rolled, cold-rolled) and coil state. For example, hot-rolled alloy steel narrow strip is classified under 722691.
Q: How can I check the import tariff rate for 722530?
A: It can be checked through the official website of the General Administration of Customs of China, the International Trade Single Window, or the Import and Export Tariff of the People's Republic of China. The rate may change due to trade agreements, origin and other factors, and the latest tariff and customs announcements should prevail.
Q: What is the main difference between 722530 and 722540?
A: 722530 is in coils, while 722540 is not in coils (such as flat plates). Coils are usually produced by hot continuous rolling mills and delivered in coils; non-coils are cut to length or rolled as single sheets. Classification should be judged according to the actual delivery state.
Q: If my steel strip width is 600 mm, which code should it be classified under?
A: A width of exactly 600 mm meets the condition of heading 7225 "width ≥600 mm" and should be classified under 722530 (if in coils) or 722540 (not in coils). If the width is 599 mm, it is classified under 7226.
Q: Is hot-rolled and then pickled alloy steel coil still classified under 722530?
A: Pickling is a surface treatment and does not change the hot-rolled state, so it is still classified under 722530. However, if it has been cold-rolled, it is classified under 722550. Simple treatments such as pickling and oiling do not affect hot-rolled classification.
Q: How can I determine whether my steel is alloy steel?
A: According to the Chapter 72 notes, alloy steel must contain certain amounts of alloying elements (such as aluminum, chromium, cobalt, copper, manganese, molybdenum, nickel, titanium, tungsten, vanadium, zirconium, etc.) exceeding the prescribed thresholds, or contain boron ≥0.0008%. The specific thresholds can be found in the chapter notes.
Q: What test reports are required when declaring 722530?
A: Usually a Mill Certificate is required, listing chemical composition and mechanical properties. Customs may require third-party test reports to verify alloying element content, width and other specifications.
Q: What is the export tax rebate rate for 722530?
A: The export tax rebate rate changes with national policies. It is recommended to check the latest export tax rebate rate database of the State Taxation Administration. Usually the rebate rate for alloy steel strip differs from that for ordinary steel, and the commodity code shall prevail.
Q: If the goods are actually alloy steel but the width is <600 mm, which code should they be classified under?
A: Alloy steel strip with a width <600 mm should be classified under heading 7226, with the specific subheading further determined according to the processing state (hot-rolled, cold-rolled) and coil state. For example, hot-rolled alloy steel narrow strip is classified under 722691.
⚠️ 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.