Chapter 73 covers articles of iron or steel, including tubes, profiles, wire, plates and other semi-finished and finished products, but excludes primary iron and steel materials of Chapter 72. This chapter ranges from steel structures, containers, cables to daily hardware. Heading 7315 specifically addresses iron or steel chain, reflecting the classification logic of chain as an independent mechanical connecting component. Heading 7315 includes iron or steel chain and parts thereof, such as transmission chain, lifting chain, ladder chain, etc., whether or not with attachments. However, it excludes key chains, decorative chains (classified under 7117 or 8308) and chains specially designed for vehicles (e.g., bicycle chains under 7315.11). First 2 digits 73 = chapter of articles of iron or steel; 3rd-4th digits 15 = heading of iron or steel chain; 5th-6th digits 81 = subheading 'other steel chain', distinguished from 11 (roller chain), 12 (other articulated chain), 19 (other chain). 731581 specifically refers to non-articulated, non-roller steel chain, such as welded chain, forged chain, etc. The goods are steel chain, non-articulated or non-roller structure, and not fitted with attachments of other materials, so classified under 731581 rather than 731511 (roller chain) or 731512 (other articulated chain). If copper chain, classified under 7419; aluminum chain under 7616.
Chapter
Chapter 73 covers articles of iron or steel, including tubes, profiles, wire, plates and other semi-finished and finished products, but excludes primary iron and steel materials of Chapter 72. This chapter ranges from steel structures, containers, cables to daily hardware. Heading 7315 specifically addresses iron or steel chain, reflecting the classification logic of chain as an independent mechanical connecting component.
Heading
Heading 7315 includes iron or steel chain and parts thereof, such as transmission chain, lifting chain, ladder chain, etc., whether or not with attachments. However, it excludes key chains, decorative chains (classified under 7117 or 8308) and chains specially designed for vehicles (e.g., bicycle chains under 7315.11).
Digit Breakdown
First 2 digits 73 = chapter of articles of iron or steel; 3rd-4th digits 15 = heading of iron or steel chain; 5th-6th digits 81 = subheading 'other steel chain', distinguished from 11 (roller chain), 12 (other articulated chain), 19 (other chain). 731581 specifically refers to non-articulated, non-roller steel chain, such as welded chain, forged chain, etc.
Classification Basis
The goods are steel chain, non-articulated or non-roller structure, and not fitted with attachments of other materials, so classified under 731581 rather than 731511 (roller chain) or 731512 (other articulated chain). If copper chain, classified under 7419; aluminum chain under 7616.
📝 Declaration Elements
Product Name: Specific name of the declared goods, such as 'steel welded chain', 'steel lifting chain', must be consistent with the actual product. Material: Indicate the type of steel, such as carbon steel, alloy steel, stainless steel, and state whether galvanized or plastic-coated. Structure Type: Describe the link shape and connection method, such as welded chain, forged chain, ladder chain, non-articulated chain. Use: Declare the main use, such as lifting, traction, binding, decoration, etc., affecting subheading determination. Specifications and Dimensions: Provide key dimensions such as link diameter, pitch, inner width, outer width, in millimeters. Surface Treatment: State whether galvanized, blackened, plastic-coated, polished, etc., affecting material and use determination. Brand and Model: Fill in brand and model; if no brand, write 'no brand'; declare model truthfully. Packaging Method: State the packaging form, such as wooden box, iron drum, coil, affecting inspection and transportation. Product Name: Steel welded lifting chain; Material: Carbon steel, galvanized; Structure Type: Welded chain, non-articulated; Use: Lifting and hoisting; Specifications: Link diameter 8mm, pitch 24mm, inner width 10mm; Surface Treatment: Galvanized; Brand: No brand; Model: CH-08; Packaging: Wooden box, 50 meters per box. Misclassifying roller chain under 731581, actually should be under 731511. Ignoring material distinction, stainless steel chain and carbon steel chain may be classified under different subheadings. Use declaration not specific, such as 'industrial use', affecting subheading determination.
Product Name
Specific name of the declared goods, such as 'steel welded chain', 'steel lifting chain', must be consistent with the actual product.
⚠️ Misreported as 'iron chain' or 'chain', without distinguishing material and process.
Material
Indicate the type of steel, such as carbon steel, alloy steel, stainless steel, and state whether galvanized or plastic-coated.
⚠️ Only writing 'steel' without refinement, leading to classification disputes.
Structure Type
Describe the link shape and connection method, such as welded chain, forged chain, ladder chain, non-articulated chain.
⚠️ Misreporting roller chain as other chain, resulting in incorrect code.
Use
Declare the main use, such as lifting, traction, binding, decoration, etc., affecting subheading determination.
⚠️ Vague use description, such as 'industrial use', which cannot assist classification.
Specifications and Dimensions
Provide key dimensions such as link diameter, pitch, inner width, outer width, in millimeters.
⚠️ Only providing length, lacking link dimensions, making verification impossible.
Surface Treatment
State whether galvanized, blackened, plastic-coated, polished, etc., affecting material and use determination.
⚠️ Ignoring surface treatment, which may affect classification or tax rate.
Brand and Model
Fill in brand and model; if no brand, write 'no brand'; declare model truthfully.
⚠️ Confusing brand with model, or omitting model.
Packaging Method
State the packaging form, such as wooden box, iron drum, coil, affecting inspection and transportation.
⚠️ Packaging description too simple, such as 'boxed'.
Misclassifying roller chain under 731581, actually should be under 731511.
Ignoring material distinction, stainless steel chain and carbon steel chain may be classified under different subheadings.
Use declaration not specific, such as 'industrial use', affecting subheading determination.
🎯 Classification Logic
The core basis for classification is the structural characteristics of the chain: whether it is an articulated chain, roller chain, or other chain. 731581 only applies to non-articulated, non-roller steel chain, such as welded chain, forged chain. If with attachments or specially designed for vehicles, other headings need to be considered. 731511 Roller chain: Roller chain has a roller structure, used for transmission, while 731581 is other non-articulated chain. 731512 Other articulated chain: Articulated chain is connected by pins, can bend, while 731581 chain links are welded or forged, non-detachable. 731519 Other chain: 731519 is other chain not elsewhere specified, may include non-steel chain or special structures, while 731581 is explicitly other steel chain. 731520 Anti-skid chain: Anti-skid chain is specially designed for vehicle tires, classified under 731520, while 731581 is general-purpose chain. 731589 Other iron or steel chain: 731589 is other iron or steel chain, may include attachments, while 731581 is pure chain without attachments. Is the material steel? Is it non-articulated, non-roller structure? Is it without attachments? Is it not specially designed for vehicles? Is it not plated with precious metals?
Basis
The core basis for classification is the structural characteristics of the chain: whether it is an articulated chain, roller chain, or other chain. 731581 only applies to non-articulated, non-roller steel chain, such as welded chain, forged chain. If with attachments or specially designed for vehicles, other headings need to be considered.
Confused Codes：
731511 - Roller chain
Roller chain has a roller structure, used for transmission, while 731581 is other non-articulated chain.
731512 - Other articulated chain
Articulated chain is connected by pins, can bend, while 731581 chain links are welded or forged, non-detachable.
731519 - Other chain
731519 is other chain not elsewhere specified, may include non-steel chain or special structures, while 731581 is explicitly other steel chain.
731520 - Anti-skid chain
Anti-skid chain is specially designed for vehicle tires, classified under 731520, while 731581 is general-purpose chain.
731589 - Other iron or steel chain
731589 is other iron or steel chain, may include attachments, while 731581 is pure chain without attachments.
Self-Check：
✓ Is the material steel?
✓ Is it non-articulated, non-roller structure?
✓ Is it without attachments?
✓ Is it not specially designed for vehicles?
✓ Is it not plated with precious metals?
❓ FAQ
How to inquire about the import tax rate for 731581? You can log on to the official website of the General Administration of Customs of China or the International Trade Single Window, enter HS code 731581, and inquire about the latest import tariff, value-added tax, and consumption tax. Note that tax rates may vary due to trade agreements and origin, and it is recommended to rely on the system feedback at the time of declaration. What is the difference between 731581 and 731589? 731581 specifically refers to other steel chain, without attachments; 731589 is other iron or steel chain, may include attachments or special structures. If the chain has hooks, shackles, etc., it is usually classified under 731589. Should stainless steel chain be classified under 731581? If stainless steel chain is non-articulated, non-roller structure, it can still be classified under 731581, but note that the material should be declared as stainless steel, as some subheadings may be subdivided by material. It is recommended to check the heading notes. What is the difference in classification between lifting chain and transmission chain? Lifting chain is usually welded chain, classified under 731581; transmission chain is mostly roller chain, classified under 731511. Classification should be based on structure rather than use; use only assists judgment. How to classify chain parts? Chain parts such as links, pins, if declared separately, should be classified according to material. Steel links are classified under parts subheading of 7315, usually 731590. How to fill in specifications and dimensions when declaring? Key dimensions such as link diameter, pitch, inner width, outer width should be filled in, in millimeters. If in coils, also provide length and weight per coil. What is the export tax rebate for 731581? The export tax rebate rate needs to be checked in the latest export tax rebate rate library of the State Administration of Taxation, usually linked to the HS code. You can entrust a customs broker or use a tax rebate inquiry tool to confirm. If the chain is used for decoration, is it still classified under 731581? If the chain is for decoration and the material is base metal, it may be classified under 8308 or 7117. However, if it is steel and non-precious metal, it may still be classified under 731581, depending on the specific use and structure.
Q: How to inquire about the import tax rate for 731581?
A: You can log on to the official website of the General Administration of Customs of China or the International Trade Single Window, enter HS code 731581, and inquire about the latest import tariff, value-added tax, and consumption tax. Note that tax rates may vary due to trade agreements and origin, and it is recommended to rely on the system feedback at the time of declaration.
Q: What is the difference between 731581 and 731589?
A: 731581 specifically refers to other steel chain, without attachments; 731589 is other iron or steel chain, may include attachments or special structures. If the chain has hooks, shackles, etc., it is usually classified under 731589.
Q: Should stainless steel chain be classified under 731581?
A: If stainless steel chain is non-articulated, non-roller structure, it can still be classified under 731581, but note that the material should be declared as stainless steel, as some subheadings may be subdivided by material. It is recommended to check the heading notes.
Q: What is the difference in classification between lifting chain and transmission chain?
A: Lifting chain is usually welded chain, classified under 731581; transmission chain is mostly roller chain, classified under 731511. Classification should be based on structure rather than use; use only assists judgment.
Q: How to classify chain parts?
A: Chain parts such as links, pins, if declared separately, should be classified according to material. Steel links are classified under parts subheading of 7315, usually 731590.
Q: How to fill in specifications and dimensions when declaring?
A: Key dimensions such as link diameter, pitch, inner width, outer width should be filled in, in millimeters. If in coils, also provide length and weight per coil.
Q: What is the export tax rebate for 731581?
A: The export tax rebate rate needs to be checked in the latest export tax rebate rate library of the State Administration of Taxation, usually linked to the HS code. You can entrust a customs broker or use a tax rebate inquiry tool to confirm.
Q: If the chain is used for decoration, is it still classified under 731581?
A: If the chain is for decoration and the material is base metal, it may be classified under 8308 or 7117. However, if it is steel and non-precious metal, it may still be classified under 731581, depending on the specific use and structure.
⚠️ 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.