Chapter 73 covers articles of iron or steel, including semi-finished and finished products such as tubes, pipes, profiles, wire, plates, etc., but excludes machinery, mechanical appliances, vehicles, ships, etc., of iron or steel (which fall under Chapters 84-89). This chapter is mainly classified by degree of processing and use, from simple iron or steel articles (such as nails, bolts) to complex iron or steel articles (such as springs, chains, cooking utensils, etc.). Heading 7320 covers springs and leaves for springs, of iron or steel, including helical springs, leaf springs, torsion bars, disc springs, etc., whether or not heat-treated or surface-treated. However, it excludes springs for vehicle suspension (classified under Chapter 87) or clock or watch springs (classified under Chapter 91). The first 2 digits 73 represent Chapter 73, articles of iron or steel; digits 3-4, 20, represent heading 7320, i.e., springs and leaves for springs, of iron or steel; digits 5-6, 20, represent subheading 732020, i.e., helical springs. A helical spring is a mechanical element made by winding steel wire into a helical shape, using elastic deformation to absorb or store energy, and is widely used in machinery, electronics, automobiles, and other fields. This commodity is a helical spring, which is a type of spring of iron or steel, so it is classified under 7320. It is not classified under 732010 (leaf springs) or 732090 (other springs), because helical springs have a unique helical structure, different from the flat structure of leaf springs. It is also not classified under 7318 (screws, bolts), because the function of a spring is to provide elastic force rather than fastening.
Chapter
Chapter 73 covers articles of iron or steel, including semi-finished and finished products such as tubes, pipes, profiles, wire, plates, etc., but excludes machinery, mechanical appliances, vehicles, ships, etc., of iron or steel (which fall under Chapters 84-89). This chapter is mainly classified by degree of processing and use, from simple iron or steel articles (such as nails, bolts) to complex iron or steel articles (such as springs, chains, cooking utensils, etc.).
Heading
Heading 7320 covers springs and leaves for springs, of iron or steel, including helical springs, leaf springs, torsion bars, disc springs, etc., whether or not heat-treated or surface-treated. However, it excludes springs for vehicle suspension (classified under Chapter 87) or clock or watch springs (classified under Chapter 91).
Digit Breakdown
The first 2 digits 73 represent Chapter 73, articles of iron or steel; digits 3-4, 20, represent heading 7320, i.e., springs and leaves for springs, of iron or steel; digits 5-6, 20, represent subheading 732020, i.e., helical springs. A helical spring is a mechanical element made by winding steel wire into a helical shape, using elastic deformation to absorb or store energy, and is widely used in machinery, electronics, automobiles, and other fields.
Classification Basis
This commodity is a helical spring, which is a type of spring of iron or steel, so it is classified under 7320. It is not classified under 732010 (leaf springs) or 732090 (other springs), because helical springs have a unique helical structure, different from the flat structure of leaf springs. It is also not classified under 7318 (screws, bolts), because the function of a spring is to provide elastic force rather than fastening.
📝 Declaration Elements
Product name: The specific name of the declared commodity should be accurately described as "helical spring" or "helical spring of iron or steel." Material: The iron or steel material of the declared spring, such as "stainless steel," "carbon steel," "alloy steel," etc. Use: The main use of the declared spring, such as "for automobile suspension," "for shock absorption in mechanical equipment," etc. Dimensions: The main dimensions of the declared spring, such as wire diameter, outer diameter, free length, etc. Brand: The brand or manufacturer name of the declared spring; if there is no brand, declare "no brand." Model: The model or part number of the declared spring for identification. Processing method: The processing method of the declared spring, such as "cold coiled," "hot coiled," etc. Product name: Helical spring of iron or steel; Material: Stainless steel; Use: For automobile engine valves; Dimensions: Wire diameter 2 mm, outer diameter 20 mm, free length 50 mm; Brand: XX; Model: ABC123; Processing method: Cold coiled. Failure to distinguish helical springs from leaf springs, incorrectly classified under 732010. Material declaration is unclear, such as only writing "steel," affecting classification. Use declared as "for automobiles," but automobile suspension springs should be classified under Chapter 87.
Product name
The specific name of the declared commodity should be accurately described as "helical spring" or "helical spring of iron or steel."
⚠️ Incorrectly declared as "spring" or "metal spring," without specifying material and type.
Material
The iron or steel material of the declared spring, such as "stainless steel," "carbon steel," "alloy steel," etc.
⚠️ Only declaring "steel" or "iron," without distinguishing the specific steel type.
Use
The main use of the declared spring, such as "for automobile suspension," "for shock absorption in mechanical equipment," etc.
⚠️ The use description is too general, such as "industrial use."
Dimensions
The main dimensions of the declared spring, such as wire diameter, outer diameter, free length, etc.
⚠️ Failure to provide specific dimensions or providing only partial dimensions.
Brand
The brand or manufacturer name of the declared spring; if there is no brand, declare "no brand."
⚠️ Confusing brand with manufacturer or failing to declare it.
Model
The model or part number of the declared spring for identification.
⚠️ Incomplete model filling or inconsistency with the actual item.
Processing method
The processing method of the declared spring, such as "cold coiled," "hot coiled," etc.
⚠️ Failure to declare the processing method or incorrect declaration.
Example： Product name: Helical spring of iron or steel; Material: Stainless steel; Use: For automobile engine valves; Dimensions: Wire diameter 2 mm, outer diameter 20 mm, free length 50 mm; Brand: XX; Model: ABC123; Processing method: Cold coiled.
Common Mistakes：
Failure to distinguish helical springs from leaf springs, incorrectly classified under 732010.
Material declaration is unclear, such as only writing "steel," affecting classification.
Use declared as "for automobiles," but automobile suspension springs should be classified under Chapter 87.
🎯 Classification Logic
The core basis for classification is: 1. Whether the commodity is made of iron or steel; 2. Whether it is a spring; 3. Whether it has a helical structure. Only when all three conditions are met is it classified under 732020. If it is a spring of other materials, it is classified under other chapters; if it is a suspension spring for vehicles, it is classified under Chapter 87; if it is a clock or watch spring, it is classified under Chapter 91. 732010 Leaf springs and leaves for springs: Leaf springs are flat and made of multiple stacked steel plates, used for vehicle suspension, etc.; helical springs are helical and have a wider range of uses. 732090 Other springs: Includes torsion bars, disc springs, and other non-helical, non-leaf springs; helical springs have a specific subheading. 7318 Screws, bolts: Screws and bolts are used for fastening, while springs are used to provide elastic force; their functions are different. 870880 Suspension springs for vehicles: Springs specially used for motor vehicle suspension systems, even if helical springs, are classified under Chapter 87. Is it made of iron or steel? Is it a spring? Does it have a helical structure? Is it used for vehicle suspension? Is it a clock or watch spring?
Basis
The core basis for classification is: 1. Whether the commodity is made of iron or steel; 2. Whether it is a spring; 3. Whether it has a helical structure. Only when all three conditions are met is it classified under 732020. If it is a spring of other materials, it is classified under other chapters; if it is a suspension spring for vehicles, it is classified under Chapter 87; if it is a clock or watch spring, it is classified under Chapter 91.
Confused Codes：
732010 - Leaf springs and leaves for springs
Leaf springs are flat and made of multiple stacked steel plates, used for vehicle suspension, etc.; helical springs are helical and have a wider range of uses.
732090 - Other springs
Includes torsion bars, disc springs, and other non-helical, non-leaf springs; helical springs have a specific subheading.
7318 - Screws, bolts
Screws and bolts are used for fastening, while springs are used to provide elastic force; their functions are different.
870880 - Suspension springs for vehicles
Springs specially used for motor vehicle suspension systems, even if helical springs, are classified under Chapter 87.
Self-Check：
✓ Is it made of iron or steel?
✓ Is it a spring?
✓ Does it have a helical structure?
✓ Is it used for vehicle suspension?
✓ Is it a clock or watch spring?
❓ FAQ
How can I check the tax rate for HS code 732020? You can check the latest tax rate by entering 732020 on the official website of the General Administration of Customs, the International Trade Single Window, or professional HS code query tools. Note that tax rates may be adjusted according to policy, and the latest official announcement should prevail. How can helical springs and leaf springs be distinguished during declaration? Helical springs are helical, while leaf springs are flat. During declaration, they should be accurately described according to the actual shape and structure, and pictures and other materials should be provided to avoid classification errors. Which code are helical springs for automobiles classified under? If they are specially used for automobile suspension systems, they should be classified under 870880; if they are used in other parts (such as engine valves), they are classified under 732020. Judgment should be based on actual use. Are the codes for stainless steel helical springs and carbon steel helical springs the same? Yes, both are classified under 732020. HS codes do not distinguish steel types, but the material must be truthfully filled in during declaration for customs statistics and supervision. Which declaration elements for springs must be filled in? Product name, material, use, dimensions, brand, model, processing method, etc., must be filled in. Specific requirements are subject to customs requirements; it is recommended to refer to the Customs Import and Export Commodity Specification Declaration Catalog of the People's Republic of China. Can imported used helical springs be classified under 732020? Yes, but they must comply with regulations on the import of used mechanical and electrical products and may require relevant certificates. For classification purposes, they are still classified under 732020 as helical springs. What is the export tax rebate rate for helical springs? The export tax rebate rate must be checked against the latest policy, which can be queried on the website of the State Taxation Administration or the General Administration of Customs. It may be adjusted in different periods, and the official announcement should prevail. If a helical spring is used for a toy, is it still classified under 732020? If the spring is a toy part and the toy is classified under Chapter 95, the spring may be classified together with the toy. However, if imported separately, it is still classified under 732020. Judgment should be based on the actual state at the time of inspection.
Q: How can I check the tax rate for HS code 732020?
A: You can check the latest tax rate by entering 732020 on the official website of the General Administration of Customs, the International Trade Single Window, or professional HS code query tools. Note that tax rates may be adjusted according to policy, and the latest official announcement should prevail.
Q: How can helical springs and leaf springs be distinguished during declaration?
A: Helical springs are helical, while leaf springs are flat. During declaration, they should be accurately described according to the actual shape and structure, and pictures and other materials should be provided to avoid classification errors.
Q: Which code are helical springs for automobiles classified under?
A: If they are specially used for automobile suspension systems, they should be classified under 870880; if they are used in other parts (such as engine valves), they are classified under 732020. Judgment should be based on actual use.
Q: Are the codes for stainless steel helical springs and carbon steel helical springs the same?
A: Yes, both are classified under 732020. HS codes do not distinguish steel types, but the material must be truthfully filled in during declaration for customs statistics and supervision.
Q: Which declaration elements for springs must be filled in?
A: Product name, material, use, dimensions, brand, model, processing method, etc., must be filled in. Specific requirements are subject to customs requirements; it is recommended to refer to the Customs Import and Export Commodity Specification Declaration Catalog of the People's Republic of China.
Q: Can imported used helical springs be classified under 732020?
A: Yes, but they must comply with regulations on the import of used mechanical and electrical products and may require relevant certificates. For classification purposes, they are still classified under 732020 as helical springs.
Q: What is the export tax rebate rate for helical springs?
A: The export tax rebate rate must be checked against the latest policy, which can be queried on the website of the State Taxation Administration or the General Administration of Customs. It may be adjusted in different periods, and the official announcement should prevail.
Q: If a helical spring is used for a toy, is it still classified under 732020?
A: If the spring is a toy part and the toy is classified under Chapter 95, the spring may be classified together with the toy. However, if imported separately, it is still classified under 732020. Judgment should be based on the actual state at the time of inspection.
⚠️ 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.