Chapter 73 covers articles of iron or steel, including plates, rods, profiles, wire, tubes, hollow profiles, steel wire, stranded wire, cables, chains, anchors, nails, bolts, nuts, springs, stoves, radiators, etc. This chapter does not include ferrous waste and scrap (Chapter 72) and specifically named machinery or electrical equipment (Chapter 84, Chapter 85). Steel strand, as a deeply processed product of steel wire, is a typical commodity of this chapter. Heading 7312 covers non-insulated stranded wire, ropes, cables, plaited bands, slings and similar articles of iron or steel. Specifically includes: steel strand, wire rope, steel cable, woven bands, slings, etc., but does not include insulated wires and cables (heading 8544) and articles with fittings or attachments (generally classified under heading 7326 or others). Products under this heading are usually used for load-bearing, fixing, tensioning, etc., and are widely used in construction, bridges, ships, elevators and other fields. First 2 digits 73: represents Chapter 73, i.e., articles of iron or steel. Digits 3-4 12: represents heading 7312, i.e., non-insulated stranded wire, ropes, cables, plaited bands, slings and similar articles of iron or steel. Digits 5-6 10: represents subheading 731210, specifically steel strand. Steel strand is made by twisting multiple steel wires together, usually used for prestressed concrete structures, bridge cables, geotechnical anchoring, etc. The difference from the adjacent subheading 731220 (steel cable) is that steel strand generally refers to strand made by twisting multiple steel wires, while steel cable usually refers to thicker ropes made by further twisting multiple steel strands or wire ropes. Steel strand is non-insulated stranded wire of iron or steel, conforming to the description of heading 7312. It should not be classified under heading 7313 (barbed wire of iron or steel) or 7314 (cloth, grill, netting, fencing, etc. of iron or steel wire), nor does it belong to other articles of iron or steel under heading 7326. The difference from heading 7217 (wire of iron or steel) is that steel strand is stranded wire that has been twisted, rather than a single steel wire. Therefore, classification under 731210 is accurate.
Chapter
Chapter 73 covers articles of iron or steel, including plates, rods, profiles, wire, tubes, hollow profiles, steel wire, stranded wire, cables, chains, anchors, nails, bolts, nuts, springs, stoves, radiators, etc. This chapter does not include ferrous waste and scrap (Chapter 72) and specifically named machinery or electrical equipment (Chapter 84, Chapter 85). Steel strand, as a deeply processed product of steel wire, is a typical commodity of this chapter.
Heading
Heading 7312 covers non-insulated stranded wire, ropes, cables, plaited bands, slings and similar articles of iron or steel. Specifically includes: steel strand, wire rope, steel cable, woven bands, slings, etc., but does not include insulated wires and cables (heading 8544) and articles with fittings or attachments (generally classified under heading 7326 or others). Products under this heading are usually used for load-bearing, fixing, tensioning, etc., and are widely used in construction, bridges, ships, elevators and other fields.
Digit Breakdown
First 2 digits 73: represents Chapter 73, i.e., articles of iron or steel. Digits 3-4 12: represents heading 7312, i.e., non-insulated stranded wire, ropes, cables, plaited bands, slings and similar articles of iron or steel. Digits 5-6 10: represents subheading 731210, specifically steel strand. Steel strand is made by twisting multiple steel wires together, usually used for prestressed concrete structures, bridge cables, geotechnical anchoring, etc. The difference from the adjacent subheading 731220 (steel cable) is that steel strand generally refers to strand made by twisting multiple steel wires, while steel cable usually refers to thicker ropes made by further twisting multiple steel strands or wire ropes.
Classification Basis
Steel strand is non-insulated stranded wire of iron or steel, conforming to the description of heading 7312. It should not be classified under heading 7313 (barbed wire of iron or steel) or 7314 (cloth, grill, netting, fencing, etc. of iron or steel wire), nor does it belong to other articles of iron or steel under heading 7326. The difference from heading 7217 (wire of iron or steel) is that steel strand is stranded wire that has been twisted, rather than a single steel wire. Therefore, classification under 731210 is accurate.
📝 Declaration Elements
Product name: The specific name of the declared commodity, such as "steel strand", "prestressed steel strand", etc., must be consistent with the contract and invoice. Material: Explain the type of steel, such as "non-alloy steel", "alloy steel", etc., and indicate the grade (e.g., SWRH82B). Structure: Describe the composition of the steel strand, such as "1×7", "1×19", etc., indicating the number of strands and the number of wires per strand. Diameter: Declare the nominal diameter of the steel strand in millimeters, such as 15.20mm. Tensile strength: Declare the tensile strength grade of the steel strand, such as 1860MPa, 1770MPa, etc. Surface treatment: Indicate whether it is galvanized, plastic-coated, oiled, etc., such as "galvanized", "bright". Use: Declare the main use, such as "for prestressed concrete", "for bridge cables", etc. Brand: Declare the brand name, or indicate "no brand" if there is none. Product name: prestressed steel strand; Material: non-alloy steel, grade SWRH82B; Structure: 1×7; Diameter: 15.20mm; Tensile strength: 1860MPa; Surface treatment: bright; Use: for prestressed concrete; Brand: XYZ. Failure to indicate structure (e.g., 1×7), leading to confusion with wire rope. Incorrectly declaring galvanized steel strand as bright, affecting classification or tariffs. Incorrect diameter unit, such as declaring millimeters as centimeters, leading to data anomalies.
Product name
The specific name of the declared commodity, such as "steel strand", "prestressed steel strand", etc., must be consistent with the contract and invoice.
⚠️ Writing only "steel strand" is too general and does not indicate whether it is prestressed, galvanized, etc.
Material
Explain the type of steel, such as "non-alloy steel", "alloy steel", etc., and indicate the grade (e.g., SWRH82B).
⚠️ Incorrectly declaring as "stainless steel" when it is actually high-carbon steel.
Structure
Describe the composition of the steel strand, such as "1×7", "1×19", etc., indicating the number of strands and the number of wires per strand.
⚠️ Mistakenly writing the structure as "7 strands" when it should actually be "1×7".
Diameter
Declare the nominal diameter of the steel strand in millimeters, such as 15.20mm.
⚠️ Failure to indicate diameter or incorrect unit, leading to classification or statistical errors.
Tensile strength
Declare the tensile strength grade of the steel strand, such as 1860MPa, 1770MPa, etc.
⚠️ Omitting tensile strength, affecting customs judgment of product characteristics.
Surface treatment
Indicate whether it is galvanized, plastic-coated, oiled, etc., such as "galvanized", "bright".
⚠️ Misreporting galvanized steel strand as bright, affecting tariff treatment.
Use
Declare the main use, such as "for prestressed concrete", "for bridge cables", etc.
⚠️ Use description is too broad, such as "for construction", not specific enough.
Brand
Declare the brand name, or indicate "no brand" if there is none.
⚠️ Brand does not match the invoice, or brand is omitted.
Failure to indicate structure (e.g., 1×7), leading to confusion with wire rope.
Incorrectly declaring galvanized steel strand as bright, affecting classification or tariffs.
Incorrect diameter unit, such as declaring millimeters as centimeters, leading to data anomalies.
🎯 Classification Logic
The core basis for classification is whether the product is non-insulated stranded wire of iron or steel. Steel strand is made by twisting multiple steel wires and falls within the scope of heading 7312. It is necessary to confirm that the material is iron or steel and that it is not combined with other materials to form insulated wire or with attachments. If the steel strand has fittings such as connectors or hooks, it may be classified under heading 7326. In addition, if the steel strand has undergone surface treatment such as galvanizing, it is still classified under 7312, but this may affect subheading determination. 731210 Steel strand: This code refers to non-insulated stranded wire of iron or steel, usually made by twisting multiple steel wires, used for prestressing, etc. 731220 Steel cable: Steel cable is usually made by further twisting multiple steel strands or wire ropes, with larger diameter and more complex structure. 731290 Other: Includes plaited bands, slings, etc., but steel strand with attachments may be classified under this subheading or 7326. 721710 Wire of iron or steel, not plated or galvanized: Steel wire is a single wire that has not been twisted; steel strand is made by twisting multiple steel wires. 854430 Insulated wires and cables: Insulated wires and cables have an insulating layer and are used for conducting electricity; steel strand is non-insulated and used for load-bearing. Is it made by twisting multiple steel wires? Is it non-insulated? Does it have no fittings or attachments? Is the material iron or steel? Is it used for structural purposes such as load-bearing or tensioning?
Basis
The core basis for classification is whether the product is non-insulated stranded wire of iron or steel. Steel strand is made by twisting multiple steel wires and falls within the scope of heading 7312. It is necessary to confirm that the material is iron or steel and that it is not combined with other materials to form insulated wire or with attachments. If the steel strand has fittings such as connectors or hooks, it may be classified under heading 7326. In addition, if the steel strand has undergone surface treatment such as galvanizing, it is still classified under 7312, but this may affect subheading determination.
Confused Codes：
731210 - Steel strand
This code refers to non-insulated stranded wire of iron or steel, usually made by twisting multiple steel wires, used for prestressing, etc.
731220 - Steel cable
Steel cable is usually made by further twisting multiple steel strands or wire ropes, with larger diameter and more complex structure.
731290 - Other
Includes plaited bands, slings, etc., but steel strand with attachments may be classified under this subheading or 7326.
721710 - Wire of iron or steel, not plated or galvanized
Steel wire is a single wire that has not been twisted; steel strand is made by twisting multiple steel wires.
854430 - Insulated wires and cables
Insulated wires and cables have an insulating layer and are used for conducting electricity; steel strand is non-insulated and used for load-bearing.
Self-Check：
✓ Is it made by twisting multiple steel wires?
✓ Is it non-insulated?
✓ Does it have no fittings or attachments?
✓ Is the material iron or steel?
✓ Is it used for structural purposes such as load-bearing or tensioning?
❓ FAQ
What is the difference in HS codes between steel strand and wire rope? Steel strand is usually classified under 731210, referring to strand made by twisting multiple steel wires; wire rope is classified under 731210 or 731220, but generally wire rope refers to rope made by twisting multiple steel strands, with a more complex structure. The specific judgment depends on structure and use. Which code should galvanized steel strand be classified under? Galvanized steel strand is still classified under 731210, because surface treatment does not affect heading classification, but "galvanized" must be indicated in the declaration elements for customs statistics and valuation. What are the declaration elements for prestressed steel strand? Mainly include product name, material, structure, diameter, tensile strength, surface treatment, use, brand, etc. Structure such as 1×7, diameter such as 15.20mm, tensile strength such as 1860MPa. If steel strand has a hook, which code should it be classified under? If steel strand has attachments such as hooks, it no longer belongs to 7312 and is generally classified under 7326 (other articles of iron or steel), because it has become a finished article. How to check the import tariff rate for steel strand? It can be checked through the General Administration of Customs website or the International Trade Single Window. Enter HS code 731210, select the country of origin and trade mode, and the system will display the MFN rate, general rate, etc. Rates may change, subject to the latest announcement. Which codes are easily confused with steel strand during classification? Easily confused with 731220 (steel cable), 721710 (steel wire), 854430 (insulated wire). The key differences are whether it is twisted, whether it is insulated, and whether it has attachments. What documents are required for exporting steel strand? Generally require contract, invoice, packing list, customs declaration form, bill of lading, etc. If required by the importing country, a certificate of origin, quality certificate, etc. may also be required. Specific requirements are subject to customs and importing country requirements. How to check anti-dumping duties on steel strand? You can check the China Trade Remedy Information Network or General Administration of Customs announcements, enter "steel strand" and the country of origin, and see whether anti-dumping duties are imposed. Anti-dumping duty rates vary by country and manufacturer, and certificates of origin, etc. may be required.
Q: What is the difference in HS codes between steel strand and wire rope?
A: Steel strand is usually classified under 731210, referring to strand made by twisting multiple steel wires; wire rope is classified under 731210 or 731220, but generally wire rope refers to rope made by twisting multiple steel strands, with a more complex structure. The specific judgment depends on structure and use.
Q: Which code should galvanized steel strand be classified under?
A: Galvanized steel strand is still classified under 731210, because surface treatment does not affect heading classification, but "galvanized" must be indicated in the declaration elements for customs statistics and valuation.
Q: What are the declaration elements for prestressed steel strand?
A: Mainly include product name, material, structure, diameter, tensile strength, surface treatment, use, brand, etc. Structure such as 1×7, diameter such as 15.20mm, tensile strength such as 1860MPa.
Q: If steel strand has a hook, which code should it be classified under?
A: If steel strand has attachments such as hooks, it no longer belongs to 7312 and is generally classified under 7326 (other articles of iron or steel), because it has become a finished article.
Q: How to check the import tariff rate for steel strand?
A: It can be checked through the General Administration of Customs website or the International Trade Single Window. Enter HS code 731210, select the country of origin and trade mode, and the system will display the MFN rate, general rate, etc. Rates may change, subject to the latest announcement.
Q: Which codes are easily confused with steel strand during classification?
A: Easily confused with 731220 (steel cable), 721710 (steel wire), 854430 (insulated wire). The key differences are whether it is twisted, whether it is insulated, and whether it has attachments.
Q: What documents are required for exporting steel strand?
A: Generally require contract, invoice, packing list, customs declaration form, bill of lading, etc. If required by the importing country, a certificate of origin, quality certificate, etc. may also be required. Specific requirements are subject to customs and importing country requirements.
Q: How to check anti-dumping duties on steel strand?
A: You can check the China Trade Remedy Information Network or General Administration of Customs announcements, enter "steel strand" and the country of origin, and see whether anti-dumping duties are imposed. Anti-dumping duty rates vary by country and manufacturer, and certificates of origin, etc. may be required.
⚠️ 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.