Chapter 73 covers articles of iron or steel, but excludes raw materials for steel smelting (Chapter 72) and specifically named machinery, vehicles, etc. This chapter includes steel pipes, hollow profiles, steel structures, containers, nails, bolts, springs, tableware, etc. The heading range is from 7301 to 7326, arranged by degree of processing and use, and is the main classification chapter for downstream steel products. Heading 7317 specifically refers to nails, tacks, drawing pins, corrugated nails, staples (other than those of heading 8305) and similar articles of iron or steel, but does not include copper nails (Chapter 74) or aluminum nails (Chapter 76). This heading covers steel nails of various shapes and uses, whether or not threaded, whether or not surface-treated, but they must be made of iron or steel as the base material. The first 2 digits 73 represent Chapter 73 (articles of iron or steel); digits 3-4, 17, represent heading 7317 (steel nails and similar articles); digits 5-6, 00, indicate that there is no further subdivision under this heading, and all steel nails are classified under 731700. Note: some countries have national subheadings beyond 6 digits, but the international HS only goes to 6 digits. Steel nails are articles of iron or steel and are specifically named under 7317, so they are not classified under 7318 (screws, bolts) or 7326 (other articles of iron or steel). If they are copper nails, they are classified under 7415; aluminum nails under 7616. The key difference between 7317 and 7318 is that nails generally refer to fasteners that need to be hammered or driven in, while screws and bolts need to be rotated and screwed in.
Chapter
Chapter 73 covers articles of iron or steel, but excludes raw materials for steel smelting (Chapter 72) and specifically named machinery, vehicles, etc. This chapter includes steel pipes, hollow profiles, steel structures, containers, nails, bolts, springs, tableware, etc. The heading range is from 7301 to 7326, arranged by degree of processing and use, and is the main classification chapter for downstream steel products.
Heading
Heading 7317 specifically refers to nails, tacks, drawing pins, corrugated nails, staples (other than those of heading 8305) and similar articles of iron or steel, but does not include copper nails (Chapter 74) or aluminum nails (Chapter 76). This heading covers steel nails of various shapes and uses, whether or not threaded, whether or not surface-treated, but they must be made of iron or steel as the base material.
Digit Breakdown
The first 2 digits 73 represent Chapter 73 (articles of iron or steel); digits 3-4, 17, represent heading 7317 (steel nails and similar articles); digits 5-6, 00, indicate that there is no further subdivision under this heading, and all steel nails are classified under 731700. Note: some countries have national subheadings beyond 6 digits, but the international HS only goes to 6 digits.
Classification Basis
Steel nails are articles of iron or steel and are specifically named under 7317, so they are not classified under 7318 (screws, bolts) or 7326 (other articles of iron or steel). If they are copper nails, they are classified under 7415; aluminum nails under 7616. The key difference between 7317 and 7318 is that nails generally refer to fasteners that need to be hammered or driven in, while screws and bolts need to be rotated and screwed in.
📝 Declaration Elements
Product name: Declare the specific commodity name, such as "steel nail," "drive pin," "staple," etc., and it must be consistent with the actual goods. Material: Indicate the type of iron or steel, such as "carbon steel," "stainless steel," "alloy steel," and state whether it is galvanized, copper-plated, etc. Shape and specifications: Describe the shape of the nail (round nail, staple, corrugated nail, etc.) and dimensions (length, diameter). Use: Explain the specific use, such as "for woodworking," "for construction," "for packaging," etc. Surface treatment: Whether it has undergone coating, plating, or other treatment, such as "galvanized," "plastic-coated." Brand: If there is a brand, declare the brand name; if there is no brand, fill in "none." Model: Declare the specific model or item number for easy identification. Packaging method: Explain the packaging form, such as "boxed," "bulk," "palletized." Product name: Galvanized steel nail; Material: carbon steel, galvanized surface; Shape and specifications: round nail, length 50 mm, diameter 2.5 mm; Use: for woodworking; Surface treatment: galvanized; Brand: none; Model: DN50; Packaging method: paper box, 500 g per box. Mistakenly classifying stainless steel nails under 7317, but if they are made of stainless steel and used for specific purposes, they may be classified under 7326. Mistakenly declaring screws and bolts as steel nails, resulting in incorrect classification under 7318. Ignoring surface treatment, such as galvanized steel nails and ordinary steel nails having different national subheadings in some countries.
Product name
Declare the specific commodity name, such as "steel nail," "drive pin," "staple," etc., and it must be consistent with the actual goods.
⚠️ Declaring it generally as "steel products" or "hardware."
Material
Indicate the type of iron or steel, such as "carbon steel," "stainless steel," "alloy steel," and state whether it is galvanized, copper-plated, etc.
⚠️ Writing only "steel" without distinguishing carbon steel or stainless steel, which affects classification.
Shape and specifications
Describe the shape of the nail (round nail, staple, corrugated nail, etc.) and dimensions (length, diameter).
⚠️ Failure to provide dimensions, making it impossible to determine whether it belongs under 7317.
Use
Explain the specific use, such as "for woodworking," "for construction," "for packaging," etc.
⚠️ The use description is too broad, such as "industrial use."
Surface treatment
Whether it has undergone coating, plating, or other treatment, such as "galvanized," "plastic-coated."
⚠️ Ignoring surface treatment, which may affect classification or tariff rates.
Brand
If there is a brand, declare the brand name; if there is no brand, fill in "none."
⚠️ The brand does not match the actual goods or is omitted.
Model
Declare the specific model or item number for easy identification.
⚠️ The model is incomplete or does not match the actual goods.
Packaging method
Explain the packaging form, such as "boxed," "bulk," "palletized."
⚠️ Ignoring packaging, which may affect inspection.
Example： Product name: Galvanized steel nail; Material: carbon steel, galvanized surface; Shape and specifications: round nail, length 50 mm, diameter 2.5 mm; Use: for woodworking; Surface treatment: galvanized; Brand: none; Model: DN50; Packaging method: paper box, 500 g per box.
Common Mistakes：
Mistakenly classifying stainless steel nails under 7317, but if they are made of stainless steel and used for specific purposes, they may be classified under 7326.
Mistakenly declaring screws and bolts as steel nails, resulting in incorrect classification under 7318.
Ignoring surface treatment, such as galvanized steel nails and ordinary steel nails having different national subheadings in some countries.
🎯 Classification Logic
Core basis for classification: 1) the material is iron or steel; 2) it belongs to nails, that is, fasteners fixed by hammering, driving in, etc.; 3) it is not threaded and is not a screw or bolt. If threaded, it should be classified under 7318. If made of copper or aluminum, it is classified under 7415 or 7616 respectively. If it is a staple but used for office purposes, it may be classified under 8305. 7318 Screws, bolts, nuts, washers, etc., of iron or steel: 7318 includes threaded fasteners that need to be rotated and screwed in; 7317 covers unthreaded nails that need to be hammered or driven in. 8305 Staples, drawing pins, etc., of base metal: 8305 includes office staples and drawing pins, even if made of iron or steel; 7317 covers industrial steel nails. 7415 Copper nails, screws, etc.: The material is copper; if it is a copper nail, it is classified under 7415, not 7317. 7616 Other articles of aluminum: Aluminum nails are classified under 7616; if they are aluminum nails, they cannot be classified under 7317. 7326 Other articles of iron or steel: If a steel nail has a special shape or use and is not named under 7317, it may be classified under 7326. Is the material iron or steel? Is it an unthreaded nail? Is it used for industrial or construction purposes? Has office staples been excluded? Has it been distinguished from screws and bolts?
Basis
Core basis for classification: 1) the material is iron or steel; 2) it belongs to nails, that is, fasteners fixed by hammering, driving in, etc.; 3) it is not threaded and is not a screw or bolt. If threaded, it should be classified under 7318. If made of copper or aluminum, it is classified under 7415 or 7616 respectively. If it is a staple but used for office purposes, it may be classified under 8305.
Confused Codes：
7318 - Screws, bolts, nuts, washers, etc., of iron or steel
7318 includes threaded fasteners that need to be rotated and screwed in; 7317 covers unthreaded nails that need to be hammered or driven in.
8305 - Staples, drawing pins, etc., of base metal
8305 includes office staples and drawing pins, even if made of iron or steel; 7317 covers industrial steel nails.
7415 - Copper nails, screws, etc.
The material is copper; if it is a copper nail, it is classified under 7415, not 7317.
7616 - Other articles of aluminum
Aluminum nails are classified under 7616; if they are aluminum nails, they cannot be classified under 7317.
7326 - Other articles of iron or steel
If a steel nail has a special shape or use and is not named under 7317, it may be classified under 7326.
Self-Check：
✓ Is the material iron or steel?
✓ Is it an unthreaded nail?
✓ Is it used for industrial or construction purposes?
✓ Has office staples been excluded?
✓ Has it been distinguished from screws and bolts?
❓ FAQ
How do I look up the HS code for steel nails? First confirm that the material is iron or steel, then determine based on shape and use whether it belongs to nails. You can consult Chapter 73 of the Import and Export Tariff, heading 7317. If they are stainless steel nails, note that national subheadings may differ in some countries. It is recommended to use the classification inquiry system of the General Administration of Customs or consult a professional customs broker. What is the difference in HS codes between steel nails and screws? Steel nails are classified under 7317, and screws under 7318. The main difference is that steel nails are unthreaded and are fixed by hammering or driving in; screws are threaded and are fixed by rotating and screwing in. When declaring, the shape and use must be accurately described to avoid confusion. Is the code for galvanized steel nails still 731700? Yes, galvanized steel nails are still classified under 731700 because surface treatment does not affect the 6-digit code. However, in some countries, the 10-digit subheading may distinguish whether they are galvanized, affecting the tariff rate. Surface treatment must be stated when declaring. Which code should stainless steel nails be classified under? Stainless steel nails are also classified under 731700 because the material is still iron or steel. However, note that if stainless steel nails are used for specific purposes (such as medical use), they may be classified under other chapters. Generally, industrial stainless steel nails still belong to 7317. What is the HS code for staples? Industrial staples are classified under 731700, but office staples are classified under 8305. The key distinction is use: industrial use (such as packaging, construction) is classified under 7317, and office use under 8305. The use must be clearly stated when declaring. What are common errors in the declaration elements for steel nails? Common errors include: writing only "steel" for material without distinguishing carbon steel or stainless steel; unclear shape description; overly broad use; ignoring surface treatment; omitted brand and model. It is recommended to fill in details to avoid inspection risks. How do I check the import tariff rate for steel nails? The tariff rate must be determined based on the country of origin, trade agreements, etc. You can consult the Import and Export Tariff published by the General Administration of Customs or use a classification inquiry system. Note that tariff rates may change, and the latest announcement should prevail. What regulatory conditions are required for exporting steel nails? Generally, there are no special regulatory conditions for exporting steel nails, but if they involve military or sensitive uses, a license may be required. It is recommended to consult the Export Tariff or consult customs. Some countries have anti-dumping measures, which should be noted.
Q: How do I look up the HS code for steel nails?
A: First confirm that the material is iron or steel, then determine based on shape and use whether it belongs to nails. You can consult Chapter 73 of the Import and Export Tariff, heading 7317. If they are stainless steel nails, note that national subheadings may differ in some countries. It is recommended to use the classification inquiry system of the General Administration of Customs or consult a professional customs broker.
Q: What is the difference in HS codes between steel nails and screws?
A: Steel nails are classified under 7317, and screws under 7318. The main difference is that steel nails are unthreaded and are fixed by hammering or driving in; screws are threaded and are fixed by rotating and screwing in. When declaring, the shape and use must be accurately described to avoid confusion.
Q: Is the code for galvanized steel nails still 731700?
A: Yes, galvanized steel nails are still classified under 731700 because surface treatment does not affect the 6-digit code. However, in some countries, the 10-digit subheading may distinguish whether they are galvanized, affecting the tariff rate. Surface treatment must be stated when declaring.
Q: Which code should stainless steel nails be classified under?
A: Stainless steel nails are also classified under 731700 because the material is still iron or steel. However, note that if stainless steel nails are used for specific purposes (such as medical use), they may be classified under other chapters. Generally, industrial stainless steel nails still belong to 7317.
Q: What is the HS code for staples?
A: Industrial staples are classified under 731700, but office staples are classified under 8305. The key distinction is use: industrial use (such as packaging, construction) is classified under 7317, and office use under 8305. The use must be clearly stated when declaring.
Q: What are common errors in the declaration elements for steel nails?
A: Common errors include: writing only "steel" for material without distinguishing carbon steel or stainless steel; unclear shape description; overly broad use; ignoring surface treatment; omitted brand and model. It is recommended to fill in details to avoid inspection risks.
Q: How do I check the import tariff rate for steel nails?
A: The tariff rate must be determined based on the country of origin, trade agreements, etc. You can consult the Import and Export Tariff published by the General Administration of Customs or use a classification inquiry system. Note that tariff rates may change, and the latest announcement should prevail.
Q: What regulatory conditions are required for exporting steel nails?
A: Generally, there are no special regulatory conditions for exporting steel nails, but if they involve military or sensitive uses, a license may be required. It is recommended to consult the Export Tariff or consult customs. Some countries have anti-dumping measures, which should be noted.
⚠️ 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.