The most underestimated part of exporting stainless steel is classification. The HS code determines duties, anti-dumping charges and whether a license is required, andthe same shipment declared as "coil" or "sheet" can see its duty rate differ by a factor of two.
Common Codes (First 6 Digits, Internationally Harmonized)
| Product | HS Code | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Hot-rolled stainless steel coil (width ≥600 mm) | 7219.1x | Classified by thickness |
| Cold-rolled stainless steel coil (width ≥600 mm) | 7219.3x | Classified by thickness |
| Cold-rolled stainless steel sheet (not coiled, width ≥600 mm) | 7219.3x / 7219.4x | Coils and uncoiled sheets are classified separately in some tariffs |
| Stainless steel narrow strip (width <600 mm) | 7220.xx | Common for slit strip |
| Stainless steel discs / formed blanks | 7326.90 or per product classification | Depends on the degree of processing; confirm with your customs broker |
Three Common Pitfalls
- Declaring "coil" and "sheet" interchangeably: Sheets that have been uncoiled are declared as coils, and anti-dumping verification then demands additional duties. Declaration items must be updated before and after uncoiling.
- Certificate of Origin not matching the product name on the invoice: The product name on the CO must match the commercial invoice and bill of lading, or the documents will be rejected at the port of arrival. Form A / Form E have more detailed filling requirements.
- Ignoring anti-dumping measures and CBAM in the destination country: The EU has anti-dumping measures on certain stainless steel products, and during the CBAM transitional period embedded carbon emissions must also be declared. Confirm the current measures in the destination country before shipping.
What We Can Provide: EN 10204 3.1 quality certificate with each shipment (including heat number and chemical composition), commercial invoice and packing list, certificate of origin (CO / Form A / Form E), and a declaration-item sheet prepared to the destination country's requirements. If third-party inspection (SGS / BV / Intertek) is needed, it is arranged before loading.
We recommend stating the destination country and trade terms (FOB / CIF / CFR) at the inquiry stage; we then tailor the document list to the usual practice at the port of arrival to minimize supplementary documents after arrival.
