The most underrated step in stainless steel exports is classification. The HS code determines duties, anti-dumping duties and whether a license is required — anddeclaring the same shipment as "coil" versus "sheet" can double the duty rate。
Common Codes (First 6 Digits Are Internationally Standardized)
| Product | HS Code | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Stainless steel hot-rolled coil (width ≥600 mm) | 7219.1x | Listed by thickness |
| Stainless steel cold-rolled coil (width ≥600 mm) | 7219.3x | Listed by thickness |
| Stainless steel cold-rolled sheet (not in coils, width ≥600 mm) | 7219.3x / 7219.4x | Coil and non-coil are listed separately under some tariff schedules |
| Stainless steel narrow strip (width <600 mm) | 7220.xx | Commonly used for slit strip |
| Stainless steel circles / profiled parts | 7326.90 or classified as articles | Depends on degree of processing; confirm with your customs broker |
Three Common Pitfalls
- Mixing up "coil" and "sheet"：Declaring leveled sheet as coil will trigger back-duty claims in an anti-dumping review. Always update the declaration elements before and after leveling.
- Certificate of origin inconsistent with invoice description：The product name on the CO must match the commercial invoice and bill of lading, otherwise clearance at the destination port will be rejected. Form A / Form E have even stricter completion requirements.
- Ignoring destination-country anti-dumping measures and CBAM：The EU has anti-dumping measures on certain stainless steel products, and the CBAM transitional period also requires reporting of embedded carbon emissions. Confirm the destination country's current measures before shipping.
What We Can Provide：EN 10204 3.1 mill certificates shipped with the goods (including heat number and chemical composition), commercial invoice and packing list, certificate of origin (CO / Form A / Form E), and a declaration-elements sheet prepared to destination-country requirements. If third-party inspection (SGS / BV / Intertek) is needed, we arrange it before shipment.
We recommend telling us the destination country and trade term (FOB / CIF / CFR) at the inquiry stage — we will tailor the document checklist to the usual requirements of the destination port, reducing the need for supplementary documents after arrival.
