Chapter 73 covers articles of iron or steel, including semi-finished and finished products such as plates, rods, and tubes of iron or steel, but excludes mechanical appliances of iron or steel (Chapter 84) and vehicles (Chapter 87). This chapter ranges from primary forms of iron or steel to various structural components, containers, cables, etc., and is a core chapter for iron and steel commodities in international trade. Heading 7315 covers chain and parts thereof, of iron or steel, including transmission chains, lifting chains, ladder chains, other welded link chains, anti-skid chains, etc. Chains under this heading are mainly used for mechanical transmission, lifting, binding, decoration, and other purposes, made of iron or steel, whether or not surface-treated. First 2 digits 73: indicates Chapter 73, articles of iron or steel. Digits 3-4, 15: indicates heading 7315, chain and parts thereof, of iron or steel. Digits 5-6, 11: indicates subheading 731511, specifically transmission chains. Transmission chains are chains used to transmit power, usually composed of links, pins, bushings, etc., commonly found in bicycles, motorcycles, industrial machinery, etc. This commodity is a transmission chain of iron or steel, used for mechanical power transmission, meeting the description of heading 7315, and because it has a transmission function, it is classified under subheading 731511, rather than lifting chains (731512) or ladder chains (731581) or other subheadings.
Chapter
Chapter 73 covers articles of iron or steel, including semi-finished and finished products such as plates, rods, and tubes of iron or steel, but excludes mechanical appliances of iron or steel (Chapter 84) and vehicles (Chapter 87). This chapter ranges from primary forms of iron or steel to various structural components, containers, cables, etc., and is a core chapter for iron and steel commodities in international trade.
Heading
Heading 7315 covers chain and parts thereof, of iron or steel, including transmission chains, lifting chains, ladder chains, other welded link chains, anti-skid chains, etc. Chains under this heading are mainly used for mechanical transmission, lifting, binding, decoration, and other purposes, made of iron or steel, whether or not surface-treated.
Digit Breakdown
First 2 digits 73: indicates Chapter 73, articles of iron or steel. Digits 3-4, 15: indicates heading 7315, chain and parts thereof, of iron or steel. Digits 5-6, 11: indicates subheading 731511, specifically transmission chains. Transmission chains are chains used to transmit power, usually composed of links, pins, bushings, etc., commonly found in bicycles, motorcycles, industrial machinery, etc.
Classification Basis
This commodity is a transmission chain of iron or steel, used for mechanical power transmission, meeting the description of heading 7315, and because it has a transmission function, it is classified under subheading 731511, rather than lifting chains (731512) or ladder chains (731581) or other subheadings.
📝 Declaration Elements
Product Name: Fill in the standard name of the commodity, which should include material, use, and type, such as "transmission chain of iron or steel" Material: Indicate the type of iron or steel, such as carbon steel, alloy steel, stainless steel, etc., and whether surface-treated Use: Explain the specific application scenario, such as bicycle transmission, motorcycle transmission, industrial machinery transmission, etc. Specifications/Model: Fill in parameters such as chain pitch, number of strands, chain number, e.g., "08B-1", "428H", etc. Brand: Fill in the manufacturer or brand name; if no brand, write "unbranded" Whether in sets: Indicate whether it comes with connecting links, joints, and other accessories, and whether it is packaged as a set Processing technique: Briefly describe the manufacturing process, such as stamping, assembly, heat treatment, etc. Product Name: transmission chain of iron or steel; Material: carbon steel, zinc-plated surface; Use: bicycle transmission; Specifications/Model: 1/2"×1/8", 114 links; Brand: KMC; Whether in sets: single pack, with connecting link; Processing technique: stamping, assembly, heat treatment.
Note: This chain is a roller chain, conforming to ISO 606 standard. Misreporting transmission chain as lifting chain, leading to incorrect classification Not indicating material, may be classified under other chapters Incomplete specifications/model, affecting customs valuation
Product Name
Fill in the standard name of the commodity, which should include material, use, and type, such as "transmission chain of iron or steel"
⚠️ Only writing "chain" or "transmission chain" without indicating the material
Material
Indicate the type of iron or steel, such as carbon steel, alloy steel, stainless steel, etc., and whether surface-treated
⚠️ Only writing "steel" without distinguishing the specific steel type
Use
Explain the specific application scenario, such as bicycle transmission, motorcycle transmission, industrial machinery transmission, etc.
⚠️ Use description is too general, such as "for machinery"
Specifications/Model
Fill in parameters such as chain pitch, number of strands, chain number, e.g., "08B-1", "428H", etc.
⚠️ No specific model provided, only writing "standard"
Brand
Fill in the manufacturer or brand name; if no brand, write "unbranded"
⚠️ Confusing brand with manufacturer
Whether in sets
Indicate whether it comes with connecting links, joints, and other accessories, and whether it is packaged as a set
⚠️ Not indicating whether accessories are included
Processing technique
Briefly describe the manufacturing process, such as stamping, assembly, heat treatment, etc.
⚠️ Incomplete process description
Example： Product Name: transmission chain of iron or steel; Material: carbon steel, zinc-plated surface; Use: bicycle transmission; Specifications/Model: 1/2"×1/8", 114 links; Brand: KMC; Whether in sets: single pack, with connecting link; Processing technique: stamping, assembly, heat treatment.
Note: This chain is a roller chain, conforming to ISO 606 standard.
Common Mistakes：
Misreporting transmission chain as lifting chain, leading to incorrect classification
Not indicating material, may be classified under other chapters
The core basis for classification is the commodity's material, function, and use. 731511 specifically refers to transmission chains of iron or steel, and must simultaneously satisfy: material is iron or steel, function is power transmission, structure is linked chain. If made of other materials (such as plastic) or for non-transmission purposes, it is classified under other headings. 731512 Lifting chain: Lifting chains are used for hoisting heavy objects, with different link shapes and strength requirements, while transmission chains are used for power transmission with high precision requirements. 731581 Ladder chain: Ladder chains are welded chains, mainly used for binding and decoration, without transmission function, while transmission chains are assembled. 731589 Other welded chain: Other welded chains include welded chains that are not ladder chains, with various uses, but none are transmission chains. 848390 Chain parts: If they are parts of transmission chains (such as links, pins), they should be classified under 8483, not 7315. Is the material iron or steel? Is it used for power transmission? Is it an assembled link structure? Does it come with accessories? Are the specifications/model clear?
Basis
The core basis for classification is the commodity's material, function, and use. 731511 specifically refers to transmission chains of iron or steel, and must simultaneously satisfy: material is iron or steel, function is power transmission, structure is linked chain. If made of other materials (such as plastic) or for non-transmission purposes, it is classified under other headings.
Confused Codes：
731512 - Lifting chain
Lifting chains are used for hoisting heavy objects, with different link shapes and strength requirements, while transmission chains are used for power transmission with high precision requirements.
731581 - Ladder chain
Ladder chains are welded chains, mainly used for binding and decoration, without transmission function, while transmission chains are assembled.
731589 - Other welded chain
Other welded chains include welded chains that are not ladder chains, with various uses, but none are transmission chains.
848390 - Chain parts
If they are parts of transmission chains (such as links, pins), they should be classified under 8483, not 7315.
Self-Check：
✓ Is the material iron or steel?
✓ Is it used for power transmission?
✓ Is it an assembled link structure?
✓ Does it come with accessories?
✓ Are the specifications/model clear?
❓ FAQ
How to check the tariff rate for HS code 731511? You can check through the official website of the General Administration of Customs of China or the International Trade Single Window by entering code 731511 to view import tariff rates, export tariff rates, and regulatory conditions. Tariff rates are subject to policy adjustments, and the latest published rates should be used. How to distinguish transmission chains and lifting chains during declaration? Transmission chains are used to transmit power and usually have precise pitch and rollers; lifting chains are used for hoisting, with thicker links and no rollers. During declaration, fill in truthfully according to actual use and structure. If the transmission chain is made of stainless steel, does the code remain unchanged? Material does not affect the heading; as long as it is a transmission chain of iron or steel, it is still classified under 731511. However, stainless steel must be indicated in the declaration elements for customs classification. Which code should parts of transmission chains (such as links) be classified under? If parts of transmission chains are declared separately, they should be classified under 848390 (parts of gearing and transmission elements), not 731511. But if declared as a set with the chain, they are classified as the chain. What certifications are required for exporting transmission chains to the EU? The EU has CE certification requirements for mechanical transmission chains, which must comply with the Machinery Directive 2006/42/EC. In addition, material reports, certificates of origin, etc., may be required. It is recommended to confirm with the customer in advance. How to fill in the specifications/model during declaration? Fill in the chain's pitch, number of strands, chain number, e.g., "08B-1", "428H", "1/2"×1/8"", etc. If there is no standard model, describe the main dimensions. Does the classification of transmission chains depend on the brand? Brand does not affect HS code classification, but it affects customs valuation and intellectual property protection. Brand information must be provided truthfully during declaration to avoid infringement risks. If the transmission chain is used for bicycles, is the code different? Transmission chains for bicycles are still classified under 731511 because their function is transmission. But if imported as a set with a bicycle, they are classified as the bicycle (8712).
Q: How to check the tariff rate for HS code 731511?
A: You can check through the official website of the General Administration of Customs of China or the International Trade Single Window by entering code 731511 to view import tariff rates, export tariff rates, and regulatory conditions. Tariff rates are subject to policy adjustments, and the latest published rates should be used.
Q: How to distinguish transmission chains and lifting chains during declaration?
A: Transmission chains are used to transmit power and usually have precise pitch and rollers; lifting chains are used for hoisting, with thicker links and no rollers. During declaration, fill in truthfully according to actual use and structure.
Q: If the transmission chain is made of stainless steel, does the code remain unchanged?
A: Material does not affect the heading; as long as it is a transmission chain of iron or steel, it is still classified under 731511. However, stainless steel must be indicated in the declaration elements for customs classification.
Q: Which code should parts of transmission chains (such as links) be classified under?
A: If parts of transmission chains are declared separately, they should be classified under 848390 (parts of gearing and transmission elements), not 731511. But if declared as a set with the chain, they are classified as the chain.
Q: What certifications are required for exporting transmission chains to the EU?
A: The EU has CE certification requirements for mechanical transmission chains, which must comply with the Machinery Directive 2006/42/EC. In addition, material reports, certificates of origin, etc., may be required. It is recommended to confirm with the customer in advance.
Q: How to fill in the specifications/model during declaration?
A: Fill in the chain's pitch, number of strands, chain number, e.g., "08B-1", "428H", "1/2"×1/8"", etc. If there is no standard model, describe the main dimensions.
Q: Does the classification of transmission chains depend on the brand?
A: Brand does not affect HS code classification, but it affects customs valuation and intellectual property protection. Brand information must be provided truthfully during declaration to avoid infringement risks.
Q: If the transmission chain is used for bicycles, is the code different?
A: Transmission chains for bicycles are still classified under 731511 because their function is transmission. But if imported as a set with a bicycle, they are classified as the bicycle (8712).
⚠️ 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.