Chapter 72 covers the entire steel industry chain products, from raw materials to semi-finished and preliminary rolled materials. It includes pig iron, ferroalloys, ferrous waste and scrap, ingots, semi-finished products (such as billets), flat-rolled products (plate, coil), long products (bars, rods, angles, shapes, wire), and hollow drill steel, etc. However, it does not include further processed steel products (such as pipe fittings in Chapter 73, tools in Chapter 82) or specific alloy products. This chapter is the core classification chapter for steel trade. Heading 7228 covers bars, rods, angles, shapes, sections, and hollow drill steel of other alloy steel. Specifically includes: hot-rolled, forged, drawn, or extruded alloy steel bars and rods (but bearing steel, high-speed steel, silico-manganese steel, etc. have dedicated headings); alloy steel angles and shapes; alloy steel hollow drill steel. However, it does not include: alloy steel flat-rolled products (7225), alloy steel wire (7229), alloy steel seamless pipes (7304), and further processed products. First 2 digits 72: represents Chapter 72 'Iron and steel', covering all basic steel materials. Digits 3-4, 28: represents heading 7228 'Bars, rods, angles, shapes, sections and hollow drill steel of other alloy steel', distinguished from 7227 (hot-rolled bars and rods of alloy steel, in irregularly wound coils), 7229 (wire of alloy steel). Digits 5-6, 60: represents subheading 722860 'Other articles of alloy steel', which is a residual subheading covering other alloy steel bars, rods, angles, shapes, etc. not named under 7228, such as alloy steel products that are not forged or further worked but do not meet the characteristics of other subheadings. This commodity is an other alloy steel product, not listed under a more specific subheading of 7228 (such as 722810 bearing steel, 722820 high-speed steel, 722830 hot-rolled bars and rods, etc.), nor does it belong to 7227 (hot-rolled coils), 7229 (wire), or 7225 (flat-rolled products), therefore it is classified under residual subheading 722860. If it were stainless steel, it would be classified under 7222; if it were silico-manganese steel, it would be classified under specific subheadings of 7227 or 7228.
Chapter
Chapter 72 covers the entire steel industry chain products, from raw materials to semi-finished and preliminary rolled materials. It includes pig iron, ferroalloys, ferrous waste and scrap, ingots, semi-finished products (such as billets), flat-rolled products (plate, coil), long products (bars, rods, angles, shapes, wire), and hollow drill steel, etc. However, it does not include further processed steel products (such as pipe fittings in Chapter 73, tools in Chapter 82) or specific alloy products. This chapter is the core classification chapter for steel trade.
Heading
Heading 7228 covers bars, rods, angles, shapes, sections, and hollow drill steel of other alloy steel. Specifically includes: hot-rolled, forged, drawn, or extruded alloy steel bars and rods (but bearing steel, high-speed steel, silico-manganese steel, etc. have dedicated headings); alloy steel angles and shapes; alloy steel hollow drill steel. However, it does not include: alloy steel flat-rolled products (7225), alloy steel wire (7229), alloy steel seamless pipes (7304), and further processed products.
Digit Breakdown
First 2 digits 72: represents Chapter 72 'Iron and steel', covering all basic steel materials. Digits 3-4, 28: represents heading 7228 'Bars, rods, angles, shapes, sections and hollow drill steel of other alloy steel', distinguished from 7227 (hot-rolled bars and rods of alloy steel, in irregularly wound coils), 7229 (wire of alloy steel). Digits 5-6, 60: represents subheading 722860 'Other articles of alloy steel', which is a residual subheading covering other alloy steel bars, rods, angles, shapes, etc. not named under 7228, such as alloy steel products that are not forged or further worked but do not meet the characteristics of other subheadings.
Classification Basis
This commodity is an other alloy steel product, not listed under a more specific subheading of 7228 (such as 722810 bearing steel, 722820 high-speed steel, 722830 hot-rolled bars and rods, etc.), nor does it belong to 7227 (hot-rolled coils), 7229 (wire), or 7225 (flat-rolled products), therefore it is classified under residual subheading 722860. If it were stainless steel, it would be classified under 7222; if it were silico-manganese steel, it would be classified under specific subheadings of 7227 or 7228.
📝 Declaration Elements
Product name: The standard name of the declared commodity, which should indicate 'other alloy steel' and the specific shape (such as bar, angle, section). Material: Specific alloy steel grade and chemical composition, such as '42CrMo', '20MnV', etc., which must meet the definition of alloy steel. Shape: The cross-sectional shape of the declared product, such as round, square, angle, profile, etc. Processing method: Such as hot-rolled, forged, drawn, extruded, etc., which affects classification. Specifications and dimensions: Cross-sectional dimensions (such as diameter, side length, thickness) and length, which affect subheading determination. Grade: Specific alloy steel grade, such as GB standard, ASTM standard, etc. Use: Main use, such as machining, structural parts, etc., auxiliary for classification. State: Such as whether further processed (such as coating, plating, cold working, etc.). Product name: Other alloy steel hot-rolled bars; Material: 42CrMo; Shape: Round; Processing method: Hot-rolled; Specifications: Diameter 50mm, Length 6000mm; Grade: 42CrMo; Use: Machining of mechanical shafts; State: Not further worked. Mistakenly classifying alloy steel angles and sections under bar subheadings, resulting in incorrect codes. Failing to provide alloy element content, making it impossible to determine whether it is alloy steel. Mistakenly classifying hollow drill steel under other alloy steel bars, ignoring its dedicated subheading.
Product name
The standard name of the declared commodity, which should indicate 'other alloy steel' and the specific shape (such as bar, angle, section).
⚠️ Writing only 'alloy steel' without indicating the shape, or mistakenly writing 'stainless steel'.
Material
Specific alloy steel grade and chemical composition, such as '42CrMo', '20MnV', etc., which must meet the definition of alloy steel.
⚠️ Failing to provide the grade or composition, making it impossible to determine whether it is alloy steel.
Shape
The cross-sectional shape of the declared product, such as round, square, angle, profile, etc.
⚠️ Mistakenly declaring angles and sections as bars, or failing to distinguish hollow drill steel.
Processing method
Such as hot-rolled, forged, drawn, extruded, etc., which affects classification.
⚠️ Mistakenly declaring cold-drawn as hot-rolled, or failing to indicate whether further processed.
Specifications and dimensions
Cross-sectional dimensions (such as diameter, side length, thickness) and length, which affect subheading determination.
⚠️ Incomplete dimensions or incorrect units (such as millimeters mistaken for centimeters).
Grade
Specific alloy steel grade, such as GB standard, ASTM standard, etc.
⚠️ Confusing grade with material, or using non-standard grades.
Use
Main use, such as machining, structural parts, etc., auxiliary for classification.
⚠️ Use description too broad, such as 'industrial use'.
State
Such as whether further processed (such as coating, plating, cold working, etc.).
⚠️ Failing to indicate whether cold worked or coated, which affects classification.
Example： Product name: Other alloy steel hot-rolled bars; Material: 42CrMo; Shape: Round; Processing method: Hot-rolled; Specifications: Diameter 50mm, Length 6000mm; Grade: 42CrMo; Use: Machining of mechanical shafts; State: Not further worked.
Common Mistakes：
Mistakenly classifying alloy steel angles and sections under bar subheadings, resulting in incorrect codes.
Failing to provide alloy element content, making it impossible to determine whether it is alloy steel.
Mistakenly classifying hollow drill steel under other alloy steel bars, ignoring its dedicated subheading.
🎯 Classification Logic
Core classification basis: 1) The material must be alloy steel (not stainless steel), meeting the definition of alloy steel in the notes to Chapter 72; 2) The shape is bars, rods, angles, shapes, sections, or hollow drill steel; 3) The processing state is hot-rolled, forged, drawn, or extruded, but not further worked; 4) Excludes products already classified under 7227 (hot-rolled coils), 7229 (wire), 7225 (flat-rolled products). If it is stainless steel, it is classified under 7222. 7227 Hot-rolled bars and rods of alloy steel, in irregularly wound coils: 7227 is hot-rolled bars and rods in coils, 7228 is straight or non-coiled bars, rods, and sections. The key difference is whether it is coiled. 7229 Wire of alloy steel: 7229 is cold-drawn or hot-rolled alloy steel wire (in coils), 7228 is bars, rods, and sections; wire typically has a smaller diameter and is coiled. 7225 Other alloy steel flat-rolled products: 7225 is alloy steel flat-rolled products of a width of 600mm or more, 7228 is bars, rods, and sections; different shapes. 7222 Bars, rods, and sections of stainless steel: 7222 is stainless steel material, 7228 is other alloy steel; different materials. 7304 Seamless pipes of alloy steel: 7304 is hollow tubular products, 7228 is solid bars, rods, and sections or hollow drill steel (dedicated). Is the material alloy steel (not stainless steel)? Is the shape bars, rods, angles, shapes, sections, or hollow drill steel? Is the processing method hot-rolled, forged, drawn, or extruded? Is it not further worked (such as coated, cold-drawn, etc.)? Is it not classified under more specific subheadings such as 7227, 7229, 7225?
Basis
Core classification basis: 1) The material must be alloy steel (not stainless steel), meeting the definition of alloy steel in the notes to Chapter 72; 2) The shape is bars, rods, angles, shapes, sections, or hollow drill steel; 3) The processing state is hot-rolled, forged, drawn, or extruded, but not further worked; 4) Excludes products already classified under 7227 (hot-rolled coils), 7229 (wire), 7225 (flat-rolled products). If it is stainless steel, it is classified under 7222.
Confused Codes：
7227 - Hot-rolled bars and rods of alloy steel, in irregularly wound coils
7227 is hot-rolled bars and rods in coils, 7228 is straight or non-coiled bars, rods, and sections. The key difference is whether it is coiled.
7229 - Wire of alloy steel
7229 is cold-drawn or hot-rolled alloy steel wire (in coils), 7228 is bars, rods, and sections; wire typically has a smaller diameter and is coiled.
7225 - Other alloy steel flat-rolled products
7225 is alloy steel flat-rolled products of a width of 600mm or more, 7228 is bars, rods, and sections; different shapes.
7222 - Bars, rods, and sections of stainless steel
7222 is stainless steel material, 7228 is other alloy steel; different materials.
7304 - Seamless pipes of alloy steel
7304 is hollow tubular products, 7228 is solid bars, rods, and sections or hollow drill steel (dedicated).
Self-Check：
✓ Is the material alloy steel (not stainless steel)?
✓ Is the shape bars, rods, angles, shapes, sections, or hollow drill steel?
✓ Is the processing method hot-rolled, forged, drawn, or extruded?
✓ Is it not further worked (such as coated, cold-drawn, etc.)?
✓ Is it not classified under more specific subheadings such as 7227, 7229, 7225?
❓ FAQ
How do I determine whether my alloy steel product is classified under 722860? First confirm that the material is alloy steel (not stainless steel) and the shape is bars, rods, angles, shapes, sections, or hollow drill steel. Second, check whether it is already classified under a more specific subheading of 7228 (such as 722810 bearing steel, 722820 high-speed steel, etc.). If none apply and it is not further worked, it is classified under 722860. What is the difference between 722860 and 722830? 722830 is bars and rods of other alloy steel, hot-rolled, hot-drawn, or extruded, while 722860 is other articles of alloy steel (including angles, sections, hollow drill steel, etc.). If it is a simple bar or rod and hot-rolled, it should preferably be classified under 722830; if it is an angle or section, it is classified under 722860. Which code should alloy steel angles be classified under? If alloy steel angles are not further worked, they should be classified under heading 7228. Since 7228 does not separately list a subheading for angles, they are usually classified under 722860 (other articles of alloy steel). However, it must be confirmed that the material is alloy steel and not stainless steel. Is hollow drill steel classified under 722860? Hollow drill steel has a dedicated subheading 722880 (hollow drill steel) under 7228, so it is not classified under 722860. 722860 is a residual subheading and applies only to other alloy steel products not named elsewhere. How should the material of alloy steel be filled in during declaration? The specific alloy steel grade and main chemical composition should be provided, such as '42CrMo (containing Cr, Mo)'. If the grade cannot be provided, at least indicate the alloy element content to prove that it meets the definition of alloy steel. How can I check the import tariff rate for 722860? Tariff rates vary by country, trade agreement, country of origin, etc. It is recommended to check the latest rates through the official website of the General Administration of Customs of China, the single window, or consult a customs broker. Note that free trade agreements may apply preferential rates. If alloy steel bars are cold-drawn, can they still be classified under 722860? Cold drawing is further processing and may change the classification. If after cold drawing it is still a bar but no longer hot-rolled or forged, it should be classified under other subheadings of 7228 (such as 722850 cold-formed or cold-finished bars and rods). 722860 applies only to products not further worked. What is the difference between 722860 and 722790? 722790 is hot-rolled coils of other alloy steel (irregularly wound coils), while 722860 is non-coiled bars, rods, and sections. The key difference is whether it is coiled. If coiled, it is classified under 7227; if straight, it is classified under 7228.
Q: How do I determine whether my alloy steel product is classified under 722860?
A: First confirm that the material is alloy steel (not stainless steel) and the shape is bars, rods, angles, shapes, sections, or hollow drill steel. Second, check whether it is already classified under a more specific subheading of 7228 (such as 722810 bearing steel, 722820 high-speed steel, etc.). If none apply and it is not further worked, it is classified under 722860.
Q: What is the difference between 722860 and 722830?
A: 722830 is bars and rods of other alloy steel, hot-rolled, hot-drawn, or extruded, while 722860 is other articles of alloy steel (including angles, sections, hollow drill steel, etc.). If it is a simple bar or rod and hot-rolled, it should preferably be classified under 722830; if it is an angle or section, it is classified under 722860.
Q: Which code should alloy steel angles be classified under?
A: If alloy steel angles are not further worked, they should be classified under heading 7228. Since 7228 does not separately list a subheading for angles, they are usually classified under 722860 (other articles of alloy steel). However, it must be confirmed that the material is alloy steel and not stainless steel.
Q: Is hollow drill steel classified under 722860?
A: Hollow drill steel has a dedicated subheading 722880 (hollow drill steel) under 7228, so it is not classified under 722860. 722860 is a residual subheading and applies only to other alloy steel products not named elsewhere.
Q: How should the material of alloy steel be filled in during declaration?
A: The specific alloy steel grade and main chemical composition should be provided, such as '42CrMo (containing Cr, Mo)'. If the grade cannot be provided, at least indicate the alloy element content to prove that it meets the definition of alloy steel.
Q: How can I check the import tariff rate for 722860?
A: Tariff rates vary by country, trade agreement, country of origin, etc. It is recommended to check the latest rates through the official website of the General Administration of Customs of China, the single window, or consult a customs broker. Note that free trade agreements may apply preferential rates.
Q: If alloy steel bars are cold-drawn, can they still be classified under 722860?
A: Cold drawing is further processing and may change the classification. If after cold drawing it is still a bar but no longer hot-rolled or forged, it should be classified under other subheadings of 7228 (such as 722850 cold-formed or cold-finished bars and rods). 722860 applies only to products not further worked.
Q: What is the difference between 722860 and 722790?
A: 722790 is hot-rolled coils of other alloy steel (irregularly wound coils), while 722860 is non-coiled bars, rods, and sections. The key difference is whether it is coiled. If coiled, it is classified under 7227; if straight, it is classified under 7228.
⚠️ 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.