Chapter 72 covers iron and steel and articles thereof, including pig iron, ferroalloys, waste and scrap, ingots, semi-finished products, flat-rolled products, long products, tubes, etc. This chapter is one of the most important metal chapters in the HS, covering a wide range of categories from raw materials to primary processed products. 7226 belongs to the 'flat-rolled products of other alloy steel' section of this chapter, distinct from ordinary carbon steel (7208-7212) and stainless steel (7219-7222), emphasizing that the alloying element content meets specific standards. Heading 7226 covers flat-rolled products of other alloy steel, whether hot-rolled or cold-rolled, of a width of 600 mm or more or less than 600 mm, but not further worked or only surface-treated. Specifically includes hot-rolled, cold-rolled, plated or coated, etc. Subheadings under 7226 are subdivided by width, state of processing, and alloy type. 7226.11 specifically refers to hot-rolled, of a width of less than 600 mm, not further worked than hot-rolled, strip of alloy steel. The first 2 digits '72' represent Chapter 72, iron and steel; the 3rd-4th digits '26' represent heading 7226, i.e., flat-rolled products of other alloy steel; the 5th-6th digits '11' represent subheading 7226.11, specifically hot-rolled strip of alloy steel, of a width of less than 600 mm, not further worked than hot-rolled. Note: hot-rolled strip of alloy steel of a width of 600 mm or more is classified under 7225.40, etc., while cold-rolled is classified under 7226.20, etc. The 5th digit '1' indicates a width of less than 600 mm, and the 6th digit '1' indicates hot-rolled, not further worked. The goods are hot-rolled strip of alloy steel, of a width of less than 600 mm, and not further worked than hot-rolled (such as cold-rolled, plated or coated). If the width is 600 mm or more, it should be classified under 7225; if cold-rolled, it should be classified under 7226.20; if stainless steel, it should be classified under 7219-7222. Therefore, based on width, state of processing, and the definition of alloy steel, it is classified under 7226.11.

Product name: Declare the commodity name, which should be specific such as 'hot-rolled alloy steel strip', avoiding vague terms like 'steel'. Material: Specify the specific grade or composition of the alloy steel, such as 'alloy steel, containing 0.5% chromium', etc., which must meet the definition of alloy steel. State of processing: Clearly state 'hot-rolled' and whether further worked (such as pickled, annealed, etc.), not further worked than hot-rolled. Specifications and dimensions: Declare thickness, width, length (coil or straight strip), width must be less than 600 mm. Alloying element content: Declare major alloying elements (such as chromium, nickel, molybdenum, etc.) by weight percentage to determine the definition of alloy steel. Use: Declare the main use, such as 'used for manufacturing cutting tools', 'automotive parts', etc. Appearance: Describe the surface condition, such as 'black skin, unplated, uncoated'. Product name: hot-rolled alloy steel strip; Material: alloy steel, grade 50CrV4, containing 0.5% carbon, 1.0% chromium, 0.1% vanadium; State of processing: hot-rolled, not further worked; Specifications: thickness 2.0 mm, width 300 mm, coil; Alloying element content: chromium 1.0%, vanadium 0.1%; Use: used for manufacturing springs; Appearance: black skin, unplated. Width misreported as 600 mm or more, resulting in incorrect classification under 7225. Failure to declare alloying element content, unable to prove it is alloy steel. Misreporting hot-rolled pickled strip as 'not further worked', pickling may be classified under 7226.11? In fact, pickling is further working and should be classified under 7226.19? Note: 7226.11 is limited to hot-rolled not further worked, pickling may be considered further working.

Core basis for classification: 1) The material is alloy steel (not stainless steel), must meet the definition of alloy steel in the Notes to Chapter 72 of the HS; 2) It is a flat-rolled product, of a width of less than 600 mm; 3) The state of processing is hot-rolled, and not further worked than hot-rolled (such as cold-rolled, plated or coated, pickled, etc.); 4) If the width is 600 mm or more, classify under 7225; if cold-rolled, classify under 7226.20; if stainless steel, classify under 7219-7222. 7225.40 Other alloy steel hot-rolled flat-rolled products, of a width of 600 mm or more: Width 600 mm or more, classified under 7225; width less than 600 mm classified under 7226.11. 7226.20 Other alloy steel cold-rolled flat-rolled products, of a width of less than 600 mm: State of processing is cold-rolled, not hot-rolled; hot-rolled not further worked classified under 7226.11. 7226.19 Other alloy steel hot-rolled flat-rolled products, of a width of less than 600 mm, further worked: Further worked than hot-rolled such as pickled, annealed, etc., classified under 7226.19; not further worked classified under 7226.11. 7219.11 Stainless steel hot-rolled flat-rolled products, of a width of less than 600 mm: Material is stainless steel, not other alloy steel; stainless steel must contain 10.5% or more chromium. Is the material alloy steel (not stainless steel)? Is the width less than 600 mm? Is it only hot-rolled, without pickling, cold-rolling, etc.? Does the alloying element content meet the definition of alloy steel? Is it in coil or straight strip?

How do I determine whether my steel strip is alloy steel? According to the Notes to Chapter 72 of the HS, alloy steel must meet specific element content requirements, such as aluminum, chromium, cobalt, copper, manganese, molybdenum, nickel, silicon, titanium, tungsten, vanadium, etc., reaching certain proportions by weight. For example, chromium ≥0.3%, or multiple elements totaling ≥1%, etc. A composition analysis report is required. My hot-rolled alloy steel strip is exactly 600 mm wide, which code should it be classified under? A width of 600 mm does not fall under 'less than 600 mm', so it should be classified under 7225.40 (hot-rolled flat-rolled products of alloy steel, of a width of 600 mm or more), not 7226.11. Where should hot-rolled alloy steel strip that has been pickled after hot rolling, of a width of less than 600 mm, be classified? Pickling is further working, so it cannot be classified under 7226.11 (only hot-rolled not further worked), and should be classified under 7226.19 (other alloy steel hot-rolled flat-rolled products, further worked). What is the main difference between 7226.11 and 7226.20? 7226.11 is hot-rolled and not further worked, 7226.20 is cold-rolled (whether or not further worked). The state of processing is the core difference. How should alloying element content be filled in during declaration? The measured percentages of major alloying elements should be filled in, such as 'chromium: 1.2%, molybdenum: 0.5%', and the standard basis (such as GB/T 3077) should be noted. Avoid only writing 'alloy steel' without providing data. If my steel strip is in coil form, will it affect classification? Coil or straight strip does not affect the classification under 7226.11, but the form must be stated in the declaration. Classification is mainly based on width, state of processing, and material. Where can I inquire about the import tariff rate for 7226.11? You can consult the China Customs 'Import and Export Tariff' or through the 'Customs Classification Pre-ruling' system. Tariff rates vary due to trade agreements and annual adjustments, and it is recommended to rely on the latest official publication. What are the regulatory conditions for 7226.11? It may involve automatic import licenses, inbound goods customs clearance forms, etc., depending on the country of origin and trade mode. It is recommended to consult the 'Customs Regulatory Conditions Code Table' or consult a customs broker.