When you ship carbon steel across borders, every customs declaration needs the right HS code. Get it wrong and you face one of three problems: a tariff dispute with customs, a duty assessment far higher than expected, or a shipment stuck at port for weeks while documents are reissued.
This guide gives you the exact HS codes for the most common carbon steel products, the practical tariff rates by major importing region, and the common mistakes that delay shipments.
What Is an HS Code?
The Harmonized System (HS) is an international classification system maintained by the World Customs Organization (WCO). It uses a 6-digit code to identify products for customs purposes, with countries adding 2–4 more digits for their own tariff schedules.
The structure:
- First 2 digits (Chapter): Product category — Chapter 72 covers iron and steel
- First 4 digits (Heading): Product group within the chapter
- First 6 digits (Subheading): International standard, same worldwide
- 7–10 digits: National extensions (vary by country)
For carbon steel, virtually all product forms fall under Chapter 72 — Iron and Steel. The wrong chapter (e.g., 7304 for tubes, 7308 for structures) can mean a 5–15% difference in duty.
Carbon Steel HS Codes: The Headings You Need
Here are the HS codes that cover the vast majority of carbon steel procurement:
7208 — Flat-Rolled Products in Coils, Hot-Rolled, Not Clad/Plated
| Subheading | Description | Typical Products |
|---|---|---|
| 7208.10 | In coils, hot-rolled, with patterns in relief | Chequer plate, floor plate |
| 7208.25 | In coils, hot-rolled, pickled, ≥ 4.75 mm thick | HR plate, hot-rolled strip |
| 7208.26 | In coils, hot-rolled, pickled, 3–4.75 mm | Hot-rolled sheet |
| 7208.27 | In coils, hot-rolled, pickled, < 3 mm | Hot-rolled sheet (thin) |
| 7208.36–7208.39 | In coils, hot-rolled, not pickled, various thicknesses | Standard HR coil |
| 7208.51–7208.59 | Not in coils, hot-rolled, various thicknesses | HR plate (cut-to-length) |
7209 — Flat-Rolled Products in Coils, Cold-Rolled, Not Clad/Plated
| Subheading | Description | Typical Products |
|---|---|---|
| 7209.15 | Cold-rolled, ≥ 3 mm thick | CR plate |
| 7209.16 | Cold-rolled, 1–3 mm | CR sheet |
| 7209.17 | Cold-rolled, 0.5–1 mm | CR sheet (thin) |
| 7209.18 | Cold-rolled, < 0.5 mm | CR strip (thin) |
7210 — Flat-Rolled Products, Clad, Plated, or Coated
| Subheading | Description | Typical Products |
|---|---|---|
| 7210.11 | Plated or coated with tin | Tinplate |
| 7210.20 | Plated or coated with lead | Terne plate |
| 7210.30 | Electrolytically plated or coated with zinc | EG (electro-galvanized) sheet |
| 7210.41–7210.49 | Otherwise plated or coated with zinc | GI (hot-dip galvanized) sheet |
| 7210.61 | Plated or coated with aluminum-zinc alloys | Galvalume sheet |
| 7210.69 | Other plated or coated | Al-coated, Zn-Ni coated |
| 7210.70 | Painted, varnished, or plastic-coated | Pre-painted (PPGI/PPGL) |
| 7210.90 | Other (clad, etc.) | Clad plate |
7211 — Flat-Rolled Products, Not Clad/Plated, < 600 mm Wide
| Subheading | Description | Typical Products |
|---|---|---|
| 7211.13 | HR, not clad/plated, ≥ 4 mm thick | Narrow HR strip |
| 7211.14 | HR, not clad/plated, < 4 mm | Narrow HR strip |
| 7211.19 | CR, not clad/plated | Narrow CR strip |
7213 — Bars and Rods, Hot-Rolled, in Irregularly Wound Coils
| Subheading | Description | Typical Products |
|---|---|---|
| 7213.10 | Concrete reinforcing bars (rebar) with indentations | Rebar |
| 7213.20 | Other, of free-cutting steel | Free-cutting bar (e.g., 12L14) |
| 7213.91 | Other, circular cross-section, < 14 mm diameter | Wire rod |
| 7213.99 | Other | Wire rod (other) |
7214 — Other Bars and Rods of Iron or Non-Alloy Steel, Hot-Rolled
| Subheading | Description | Typical Products |
|---|---|---|
| 7214.10 | Forged | Forged bar |
| 7214.20 | Concrete reinforcing bars (rebar), with indentations | Rebar (cut lengths) |
| 7214.30 | Other, of free-cutting steel | Free-cutting bar (cut) |
| 7214.91 | Other, rectangular (excluding square) cross-section | Flat bar |
| 7214.99 | Other | Round bar, square bar |
7216 — Angles, Shapes, and Sections of Iron or Non-Alloy Steel
| Subheading | Description | Typical Products |
|---|---|---|
| 7216.10 | U, I, or H sections, hot-rolled, < 80 mm tall | Light structural sections |
| 7216.21 | L sections (angles), hot-rolled, < 80 mm tall | Light angle iron |
| 7216.22 | T sections, hot-rolled | T-bar |
| 7216.31 | U sections (channels), hot-rolled, ≥ 80 mm tall | Standard channels |
| 7216.32 | I sections (beams), hot-rolled, ≥ 80 mm tall | Standard I-beams |
| 7216.33 | H sections, hot-rolled, ≥ 80 mm tall | H-beams (wide flange) |
| 7216.40 | L sections (angles), hot-rolled, ≥ 80 mm tall | Heavy angle iron |
| 7216.50 | Other angles, shapes, sections | Special sections |
7207 — Semi-Finished Products (Billets, Blooms, Slabs)
| Subheading | Description | Typical Products |
|---|---|---|
| 7207.11 | Semi-finished, rectangular (incl. square), < 2% carbon | Billet, bloom |
| 7207.19 | Other semi-finished | Slab |
How to Pick the Right HS Code: A Decision Framework
Choosing the correct HS code depends on four product characteristics, in this order:
- Product form — sheet/plate, bar/rod, section, tube, wire
- Process — hot-rolled, cold-rolled, forged, drawn
- Coating/finishing — bare, galvanized, painted, plated
- Dimensions — thickness, width, diameter
Common Decision Paths
| Product | Path | HS Code |
|---|---|---|
| HR steel plate, 10 mm, 1500×3000 mm | Flat product, hot-rolled, not in coil, > 4.75 mm | 7208.51 or 7208.52 |
| CR steel sheet, 1.2 mm, 1250 mm wide | Flat product, cold-rolled, 1–3 mm | 7209.16 |
| Galvanized steel sheet, 0.5 mm, Z100 coating | Flat product, hot-dip galvanized | 7210.41–7210.49 |
| Rebar, 12 mm, 12 m length | Bars, hot-rolled, with indentations | 7214.20 |
| Round bar, 50 mm, 6 m, S45C | Bars, hot-rolled, circular cross-section | 7214.91 or 7214.99 |
| I-beam, 200 mm tall, 6 m | H sections, hot-rolled, ≥ 80 mm | 7216.33 |
| Steel wire rod, 6.5 mm, in coils | Wire rod, hot-rolled, in coils, < 14 mm | 7213.91 |
Common HS Code Mistakes That Cause Delays
1. Wrong Heading — 7204 vs 7208
7204 = Ferrous waste and scrap 7208 = Flat-rolled iron or non-alloy steel products
A shipment of steel sheet declared as 7204.49 (other waste and scrap) because the broker thought “scrap tolerance” was the right heading will be rejected at port. The MTC and product form must support your HS code declaration.
2. Wrong Subheading — Coil vs Cut-to-Length
The same plate is 7208.51 if it’s a coil and 7208.52 if it’s cut to length. Customs authorities verify physical condition, not just the paperwork. If your commercial invoice says “coil” but the container is loaded with cut plates, expect a hold.
3. Misclassifying Coated Steel
Galvanized (GI), electro-galvanized (EG), galvalume (Zn-Al), and pre-painted (PPGI) are different subheadings:
- 7210.30 — Electrolytic zinc coating (EG)
- 7210.41–7210.49 — Hot-dip zinc coating (GI)
- 7210.61 — Aluminum-zinc alloy coating (Galvalume)
- 7210.70 — Painted/coated (PPGI/PPGL)
If you misclassify GI as EG (or vice versa), the declared coating weight often doesn’t match the inspection result, triggering a re-inspection.
4. Treating Bars and Tubes Differently
- 7214 = Bars and rods (solid cross-section)
- 7304 = Tubes and pipes (hollow cross-section)
A “round bar” is 7214. A “round tube” is 7304. If you buy seamless tubes and your broker codes them as 7214, the duty is wrong and customs will reject the declaration.
5. Forgetting the National Tariff Extensions
The 6-digit HS code is international. The 7th–10th digits are national — and they affect the duty rate. For example:
- US HTS: 7208.36.0030 vs 7208.36.0060 have different duty rates depending on value
- EU TARIC: 7208 36 00 90 has 0% duty for most countries, but 7208 36 00 10 (origin-restricted) has a different rate
- India ITC-HS: 7208.36.00 vs 7208.37.00 split by thickness
Always check the importing country’s full national tariff schedule, not just the international 6-digit code.
Carbon Steel Tariff Rates by Major Importing Region (2026)
These are typical most-favored-nation (MFN) rates for carbon steel. Real rates depend on origin, free trade agreements, and antidumping duties.
| Product (HS 6-digit) | US (HTS) | EU (TARIC) | India | Brazil | Turkey | Vietnam |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7208.36 (HR coil, < 4.75 mm) | 0% (most origins) | 0% | 7.5% | 9.0% | 9.0% | 0% |
| 7208.37 (HR coil, 3–4.75 mm) | 0% | 0% | 7.5% | 9.0% | 9.0% | 0% |
| 7208.51 (HR plate, cut) | 0% | 0% | 7.5% | 9.0% | 9.0% | 0% |
| 7209.16 (CR sheet) | 0% | 0% | 7.5% | 9.0% | 9.0% | 0% |
| 7210.41 (GI sheet) | 0% | 0% | 7.5% | 9.0% | 9.0% | 5% |
| 7213.91 (wire rod) | 0% | 0% | 7.5% | 9.0% | 9.0% | 0% |
| 7214.20 (rebar) | 0% | 0% | 7.5% | 9.0% | 9.0% | 0% |
| 7214.99 (round bar) | 0% | 0% | 7.5% | 9.0% | 9.0% | 0% |
| 7216.33 (H-beams) | 0% | 0% | 7.5% | 9.0% | 9.0% | 0% |
Important: The US applies Section 232 tariffs of 25% on most steel imports from most countries (with quotas and country-specific exceptions). The EU has a Safeguard Measure with tariff-rate quotas. Many countries have antidumping duties on Chinese steel products. Always verify the current applicable rate with your customs broker.
Antidumping and Countervailing Duties: The Hidden Cost
Beyond standard tariffs, carbon steel faces numerous antidumping (AD) and countervailing duties (CVD):
US (Department of Commerce)
- Carbon steel plate from China: AD 68.27%, CVD 38.84% (typical combined rate above 100%)
- Galvanized steel from China: AD varies by producer, often 60%+
- Cold-rolled steel from China: AD 265% on some producers (Yes — 265%, not a typo)
- Rebar from China, Mexico, Turkey: AD 30–60%
EU
- HR flat steel from China: AD 18.1–73.7% depending on producer
- CR steel from China/Russia: AD 15.7–38.1%
- Rebar from China: AD 18.4–25.0%
India
- HR steel from China/Japan/Korea/Russia/Ukraine/Brazil: AD ranges from $180 to $570/ton
Other
- Canada, Mexico, Australia, Brazil, Indonesia, and others all maintain active AD/CVD orders on Chinese carbon steel.
The bottom line: If you’re importing from China, the “tariff” you pay is often the antidumping duty, not the MFN rate. Always check the importing country’s AD/CVD schedule for the specific product and origin before quoting landed cost.
Country-of-Origin Rules: The Critical Detail
HS classification is only half the question. The other half is country of origin — and getting it wrong can be even more expensive than misclassifying the product.
Key Rules
- Country of origin = where the product was substantially transformed. For steel, this is typically where the steel was melted and rolled, not where it was cut, coated, or exported from.
- Transshipment doesn’t change origin. Shipping Chinese steel through Vietnam or Malaysia doesn’t make it Vietnamese — if the steel was melted in China, the origin is China, and Chinese AD duties apply.
- Coating in a third country can change origin in some cases. If Chinese HR coil is galvanized in Vietnam, the country of origin may become Vietnam — but only if the galvanizing process meets the “substantial transformation” test under the importing country’s rules.
- Certificates of Origin (Form A, EUR1, RCEP, etc.) must be issued by the actual origin country’s chamber of commerce. Falsified certificates can result in seizure, fines, and criminal liability.
Practical Tip
If your supplier says “we can re-route the shipment through [country] to avoid the duty,” be very careful. Customs authorities in the US, EU, Canada, and Australia actively investigate transshipment. The penalty for fraudulent origin claims is typically 2–5x the duty avoided, plus potential criminal prosecution.
HS Codes and Incoterms: How They Interact
Your HS code and Incoterm work together to determine total landed cost. The HS code controls the duty rate. The Incoterm determines who’s responsible for freight, insurance, and risk.
| Incoterm | Seller’s Cost | Buyer’s Cost | HS Code Affects |
|---|---|---|---|
| EXW | Product only | Freight, insurance, duty, clearance | Duty paid by buyer |
| FCA | Product + delivery to carrier | Freight, insurance, duty | Duty paid by buyer |
| FOB | Product + loading onto vessel | Freight, insurance, duty | Duty paid by buyer |
| CIF | Product + freight + insurance | Duty, clearance | Duty paid by buyer |
| CFR | Product + freight | Insurance, duty | Duty paid by buyer |
| DAP | Product + freight + insurance to destination | Duty, clearance | Duty paid by buyer |
| DDP | Everything, including duty | None | Duty paid by seller |
Practical implication: With FOB China pricing, the buyer is responsible for all duty. The seller has no liability for misclassification — but a good seller will help verify the correct HS code based on the product. If your broker classifies 7210.41 (GI sheet) as 7210.30 (EG sheet), the duty difference is real money, and it’s your money, not the seller’s.
Practical HS Code Verification Checklist
Before each international shipment, confirm:
- HS code is determined by product form, process, and dimensions
- National tariff schedule of the importing country has been checked (7–10 digits)
- Antidumping/countervailing duty orders have been reviewed for the specific origin
- Country of origin is correctly stated on the commercial invoice and certificate of origin
- Product description on the invoice matches the actual goods (coil vs plate, galvanized vs painted, etc.)
- MTC is included with the shipment and the heat number is documented
- Customs broker in the destination country has reviewed the classification before shipping
- Section 232 / safeguard / quota requirements are checked (US, EU, others)
- Free trade agreement benefits are claimed (if applicable) with proper certificates of origin
- Incoterm is clearly stated and consistent with the seller’s and buyer’s responsibilities
FAQ
What is the HS code for carbon steel plate?
Carbon steel plate is HS 7208.51 (not in coils, hot-rolled, ≥ 4.75 mm thick) or HS 7208.52 (not in coils, hot-rolled, 3–4.75 mm) depending on thickness. Cold-rolled plate is 7209.15 or 7209.16.
What is the HS code for galvanized steel?
Hot-dip galvanized (GI) is 7210.41–7210.49 depending on thickness. Electro-galvanized (EG) is 7210.30. Pre-painted (PPGI/PPGL) is 7210.70.
What is the HS code for rebar?
Hot-rolled rebar with indentations is 7214.20 (cut lengths) or 7213.10 (in coils). Stainless rebar would fall under a different heading.
What is the difference between HS code and HTS code?
HS code is the 6-digit international standard. HTS (Harmonized Tariff Schedule) is the US national 10-digit extension. The first 6 digits are the same globally; digits 7–10 are country-specific.
Do I need a customs broker to import steel?
In the US, EU, Canada, Australia, and most other major economies, yes. Customs brokerage for steel is specialized — the broker must understand antidumping duty orders, Section 232, and product-specific documentation. A general freight forwarder without steel experience is a risk.
How do antidumping duties work?
Antidumping duties are additional tariffs imposed when a country finds that foreign steel is being sold below “normal value” (often the domestic price in the exporting country). The duty is added on top of the MFN tariff. Rates vary by producer, product, and origin — sometimes over 100%.
Is carbon steel subject to Section 232 tariffs in the US?
Yes. The US Section 232 tariffs apply 25% on most carbon steel imports, with country-specific exemptions and quota arrangements. As of 2026, many countries have quota agreements; check the current status with US Customs or your broker.
What happens if I declare the wrong HS code?
Three common outcomes: (1) the shipment is held at port until the declaration is corrected, (2) the duty is reassessed at a higher rate plus a penalty, or (3) the shipment is seized entirely. Always verify with a qualified customs broker.
Conclusion
HS codes for carbon steel are not bureaucratic noise — they are the key that determines your landed cost, your customs clearance time, and your exposure to antidumping penalties. Get the classification right, verify the national tariff, check for AD/CVD orders, and confirm the country of origin. Then double-check with your broker.
If you’re sourcing from China for export to the US, EU, India, or Brazil, the actual landed duty is often 30–100% above the headline MFN rate because of antidumping. Factor that into your cost model before signing the purchase order, not after the shipment arrives.
Need help classifying your steel shipment or sourcing HS-coded carbon steel from China? Contact Huaxia Steel — we provide accurate commercial invoices with full HS code classification, certificates of origin, and customs documentation support for every export shipment.
