Chapter 73 covers articles of iron or steel, but excludes finished products of iron or steel classified in other chapters (such as machinery, vehicles). This chapter includes semi-finished and certain finished products of iron or steel such as tubes, plates, bars, wire, and certain finished products such as structural components, containers, chains, etc. Roller chain, as a steel transmission component, falls within the scope of this chapter. Heading 7315 covers chains and parts thereof, of iron or steel, including roller chain, other articulated link chain, ladder link chain, etc. Roller chain specifically refers to precision transmission chain composed of link plates, pins, bushings and rollers, used for mechanical power transmission. The first 2 digits 73 represent Chapter 73, articles of iron or steel; digits 3-4, 15, represent heading 7315, i.e., chains and parts thereof, of iron or steel; digits 5-6, 12, represent subheading 7315.12, specifically roller chain. This subheading further distinguishes roller chains of different specifications, but the HS code only goes to 6 digits, and individual countries may subdivide further. Roller chain is a chain of iron or steel and has a specific structure (rollers, bushings, etc.), conforming to the description of 7315.12. It differs from the articulated link chain of 7315.11 (used for bicycles, etc.) and from other chains of 7315.19, and is therefore classified under this code.
Chapter
Chapter 73 covers articles of iron or steel, but excludes finished products of iron or steel classified in other chapters (such as machinery, vehicles). This chapter includes semi-finished and certain finished products of iron or steel such as tubes, plates, bars, wire, and certain finished products such as structural components, containers, chains, etc. Roller chain, as a steel transmission component, falls within the scope of this chapter.
Heading
Heading 7315 covers chains and parts thereof, of iron or steel, including roller chain, other articulated link chain, ladder link chain, etc. Roller chain specifically refers to precision transmission chain composed of link plates, pins, bushings and rollers, used for mechanical power transmission.
Digit Breakdown
The first 2 digits 73 represent Chapter 73, articles of iron or steel; digits 3-4, 15, represent heading 7315, i.e., chains and parts thereof, of iron or steel; digits 5-6, 12, represent subheading 7315.12, specifically roller chain. This subheading further distinguishes roller chains of different specifications, but the HS code only goes to 6 digits, and individual countries may subdivide further.
Classification Basis
Roller chain is a chain of iron or steel and has a specific structure (rollers, bushings, etc.), conforming to the description of 7315.12. It differs from the articulated link chain of 7315.11 (used for bicycles, etc.) and from other chains of 7315.19, and is therefore classified under this code.
📝 Declaration Elements
Product Name: Declared commodity name, which should be accurately filled in as "roller chain", avoiding the general term "chain". Material: The main material of the declared chain, such as "of iron or steel", and specify the specific steel type (such as carbon steel, alloy steel). Structure: Describe the chain structure, such as "composed of link plates, pins, bushings and rollers", to distinguish it from other chains. Use: Declare the main use of the chain, such as "for motorcycle transmission", "for industrial machinery transmission". Specifications and Model: Declare the specifications of the chain, such as pitch, chain number (e.g., 08B, 40, etc.), number of strands, etc. Brand: Declare the brand name (if no brand, fill in "no brand"). Whether Standard Part: Declare whether it conforms to international standards (such as ISO, ANSI); non-standard parts must be noted. Product Name: Roller chain; Material: Alloy steel; Structure: Composed of link plates, pins, bushings and rollers; Use: For motorcycle engine transmission; Specifications and Model: 08B-1, pitch 12.7mm; Brand: XYZ; Whether Standard Part: Yes (conforms to ISO 606). Misdeclaring roller chain as "articulated link chain", leading to classification error. Material declared only as "iron", not clearly as iron or steel, may be classified under other chapters. Use filled in not specifically, such as "for machinery", unable to assist classification.
Product Name
Declared commodity name, which should be accurately filled in as "roller chain", avoiding the general term "chain".
⚠️ Incorrectly filled in as "drive chain" or "industrial chain", leading to classification disputes.
Material
The main material of the declared chain, such as "of iron or steel", and specify the specific steel type (such as carbon steel, alloy steel).
⚠️ Only writing "metal" or "iron", without specifying the steel type, affecting classification.
Structure
Describe the chain structure, such as "composed of link plates, pins, bushings and rollers", to distinguish it from other chains.
⚠️ Failure to describe the roller structure, which may result in misclassification as other chains.
Use
Declare the main use of the chain, such as "for motorcycle transmission", "for industrial machinery transmission".
⚠️ Use description too broad, such as "for machinery", lacking specificity.
Specifications and Model
Declare the specifications of the chain, such as pitch, chain number (e.g., 08B, 40, etc.), number of strands, etc.
⚠️ Failure to provide specific specifications, making it impossible to determine the subheading.
Brand
Declare the brand name (if no brand, fill in "no brand").
⚠️ Brand inconsistent with actual, or omitted.
Whether Standard Part
Declare whether it conforms to international standards (such as ISO, ANSI); non-standard parts must be noted.
⚠️ Failure to distinguish standard from non-standard, affecting customs valuation.
Example： Product Name: Roller chain; Material: Alloy steel; Structure: Composed of link plates, pins, bushings and rollers; Use: For motorcycle engine transmission; Specifications and Model: 08B-1, pitch 12.7mm; Brand: XYZ; Whether Standard Part: Yes (conforms to ISO 606).
Common Mistakes：
Misdeclaring roller chain as "articulated link chain", leading to classification error.
Material declared only as "iron", not clearly as iron or steel, may be classified under other chapters.
Use filled in not specifically, such as "for machinery", unable to assist classification.
🎯 Classification Logic
The core basis for classification is the Import and Export Tariff and its notes. Roller chain must simultaneously satisfy: of iron or steel, having a roller structure, used for transmission. If lacking rollers, it may be classified under 7315.11 (articulated link chain) or 7315.19 (other chain). If made of other materials, it is classified under other chapters. 731511 Articulated link chain: Articulated link chain has no rollers, the links are directly hinged, commonly used for bicycles; roller chain has rollers, reduces friction, used for transmission. 731519 Other chain: Other chain includes ladder link chain, transmission chain without rollers, etc., with a structure different from roller chain. 848390 Gears and other transmission elements: Roller chain is a chain, while 8483 covers individual transmission elements such as gears, sprockets; the two are used together but classified differently. 731589 Other iron or steel chain: 7315.89 covers other iron or steel chain, such as lifting chain, decorative chain, not transmission roller chain. Is it clearly of iron or steel material? Does it have a roller structure? Is it used for transmission? Are the specifications and model complete? Is it confused with articulated link chain?
Basis
The core basis for classification is the Import and Export Tariff and its notes. Roller chain must simultaneously satisfy: of iron or steel, having a roller structure, used for transmission. If lacking rollers, it may be classified under 7315.11 (articulated link chain) or 7315.19 (other chain). If made of other materials, it is classified under other chapters.
Confused Codes：
731511 - Articulated link chain
Articulated link chain has no rollers, the links are directly hinged, commonly used for bicycles; roller chain has rollers, reduces friction, used for transmission.
731519 - Other chain
Other chain includes ladder link chain, transmission chain without rollers, etc., with a structure different from roller chain.
848390 - Gears and other transmission elements
Roller chain is a chain, while 8483 covers individual transmission elements such as gears, sprockets; the two are used together but classified differently.
731589 - Other iron or steel chain
7315.89 covers other iron or steel chain, such as lifting chain, decorative chain, not transmission roller chain.
Self-Check：
✓ Is it clearly of iron or steel material?
✓ Does it have a roller structure?
✓ Is it used for transmission?
✓ Are the specifications and model complete?
✓ Is it confused with articulated link chain?
❓ FAQ
How to distinguish roller chain and articulated link chain in HS codes? Roller chain is classified under 7315.12, articulated link chain under 7315.11. The key difference lies in the structure: roller chain has rollers and bushings, used for transmission; articulated link chain has no rollers, the links are directly hinged, commonly used for bicycles. A structural description must be provided at declaration. In the declaration elements of roller chain, how should the specifications and model be filled in? The specifications and model should include the chain number (e.g., 08B), pitch (e.g., 12.7mm), number of strands (e.g., single strand), standard (e.g., ISO 606). This information helps customs determine the subheading and valuation. If the roller chain is used for motorcycles, are there special provisions for classification? Roller chain for motorcycles is still classified under 7315.12, because it is a roller chain of iron or steel. However, if imported together with a motorcycle, it may be classified as a motorcycle part, depending on the actual state as presented. What are the precautions for declaring the material of roller chain? It should be clearly stated as "of iron or steel", and specify the specific steel type (such as carbon steel, alloy steel). Avoid vague expressions such as "metal", "iron", to prevent classification under other chapters. How to classify roller chain and sprocket imported together? Roller chain is classified under 7315.12, sprocket under 8483.90 (transmission elements). If packaged as a set, they should still be classified separately, unless they constitute a complete machine characteristic. Can non-standard roller chain be classified under 7315.12? Yes, 7315.12 does not limit to standard. However, non-standard chain requires detailed specifications, and customs may require explanation of use and structure to confirm classification. How to inquire about the tariff rate for roller chain? You can check the Import and Export Tariff of the People's Republic of China or the website of the General Administration of Customs, and determine the rate based on 7315.12 and the country of origin. Note that rates change, subject to the latest announcement. What certifications are required for exporting roller chain? Generally no mandatory certification is required, but if used in specific fields (such as elevators, motorcycles), it may need to comply with industry standards. Export to the EU requires CE certification, and to the US requires ANSI standards.
Q: How to distinguish roller chain and articulated link chain in HS codes?
A: Roller chain is classified under 7315.12, articulated link chain under 7315.11. The key difference lies in the structure: roller chain has rollers and bushings, used for transmission; articulated link chain has no rollers, the links are directly hinged, commonly used for bicycles. A structural description must be provided at declaration.
Q: In the declaration elements of roller chain, how should the specifications and model be filled in?
A: The specifications and model should include the chain number (e.g., 08B), pitch (e.g., 12.7mm), number of strands (e.g., single strand), standard (e.g., ISO 606). This information helps customs determine the subheading and valuation.
Q: If the roller chain is used for motorcycles, are there special provisions for classification?
A: Roller chain for motorcycles is still classified under 7315.12, because it is a roller chain of iron or steel. However, if imported together with a motorcycle, it may be classified as a motorcycle part, depending on the actual state as presented.
Q: What are the precautions for declaring the material of roller chain?
A: It should be clearly stated as "of iron or steel", and specify the specific steel type (such as carbon steel, alloy steel). Avoid vague expressions such as "metal", "iron", to prevent classification under other chapters.
Q: How to classify roller chain and sprocket imported together?
A: Roller chain is classified under 7315.12, sprocket under 8483.90 (transmission elements). If packaged as a set, they should still be classified separately, unless they constitute a complete machine characteristic.
Q: Can non-standard roller chain be classified under 7315.12?
A: Yes, 7315.12 does not limit to standard. However, non-standard chain requires detailed specifications, and customs may require explanation of use and structure to confirm classification.
Q: How to inquire about the tariff rate for roller chain?
A: You can check the Import and Export Tariff of the People's Republic of China or the website of the General Administration of Customs, and determine the rate based on 7315.12 and the country of origin. Note that rates change, subject to the latest announcement.
Q: What certifications are required for exporting roller chain?
A: Generally no mandatory certification is required, but if used in specific fields (such as elevators, motorcycles), it may need to comply with industry standards. Export to the EU requires CE certification, and to the US requires ANSI standards.
⚠️ 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.