Common steel HS codes
These are the 4-digit headings. Your national tariff extends them to 8–10 digits, and that full code sets the exact duty rate.
| HS heading | Product | Chapter |
|---|---|---|
| 7208 | Hot-rolled flat products (HRC / plate), width ≥ 600 mm, not coated | 72 |
| 7209 | Cold-rolled flat products (CRC), width ≥ 600 mm | 72 |
| 7210 | Flat products, clad / plated / coated (galvanized, colour-coated) | 72 |
| 7213 | Bars and rods, hot-rolled, in irregularly wound coils (wire rod) | 72 |
| 7214 | Other bars and rods, hot-rolled (includes reinforcing bar) | 72 |
| 7216 | Angles, shapes and sections (structural profiles) | 72 |
| 7219 | Flat-rolled stainless steel, width ≥ 600 mm | 72 |
| 7225 | Flat-rolled products of other alloy steel, width ≥ 600 mm | 72 |
| 7304 | Tubes and pipes, seamless | 73 |
| 7306 | Other tubes and pipes, welded | 73 |
| 7308 | Structures and parts of structures (fabricated steel) | 73 |
How duty stacks up on Chinese steel
The headline price is rarely the landed cost. These layers can all apply to the same shipment.
Most-favoured-nation (MFN) / general duty
The standard import duty for the HS code in your country. For steel this is often in the low single digits to low teens as a percentage of the CIF value, but it varies widely by country and product.
Anti-dumping duty (AD)
An extra duty on specific Chinese steel products found to be sold below fair value. These are product- and exporter-specific and can range from around 10% to well over 90%. This is the single biggest cost surprise for steel importers.
Countervailing duty (CVD)
An additional duty offsetting subsidies. Often applied alongside anti-dumping duties on the same Chinese steel products in markets such as the US, EU, Canada, and Australia.
Safeguard / Section 232 measures
Country-wide steel measures such as tariff-rate quotas (EU, UK) or Section 232 tariffs (US) that apply on top of, or instead of, ordinary duty.
VAT / GST
Consumption tax charged at the border, usually on the CIF value plus duty, so it compounds on top of the duties above.
Rates change and are product-specific. This page explains the structure, not exact numbers — confirm the current rate for your HS code and origin with a licensed customs broker before ordering.
Frequently asked questions
What is the HS code for steel?
There is no single code — steel spans HS Chapters 72 (iron and steel) and 73 (articles of iron or steel). For example, hot-rolled coil is 7208, reinforcing bar falls under 7214, structural sections under 7216, seamless pipe under 7304, and stainless flat products under 7219. Your exact 8–10 digit national code determines the duty rate.
How much is import duty on Chinese steel?
The base (MFN) duty is often modest, but Chinese steel is frequently subject to anti-dumping and countervailing duties that can add anywhere from roughly 10% to over 90% depending on the product and destination. Always check your country's trade-remedy measures for the specific HS code before ordering.
What is an anti-dumping duty?
It is an extra import duty imposed when an exporter is found to be selling a product below fair value, causing injury to domestic producers. Many Chinese steel products carry anti-dumping duties in the US, EU, UK, Canada, Australia, and elsewhere. They are the most common reason a 'cheap' steel quote becomes expensive after clearance.
Can I avoid anti-dumping duty by changing the HS code or origin?
No. Misdeclaring the HS code or falsifying country of origin (transshipment) to dodge duty is customs fraud, and liability falls on you as the importer of record. It is an active enforcement priority. Classify honestly and budget for the correct duty.
Put a real number on it
Use the landed cost calculator to model duty, VAT, and freight on your order.