HS code · 2-digit chapter

HS Code 73 – Iron or steel articles

What HS 73 covers

Chapter 73 of the Harmonized System encompasses a vast and diverse range of "Articles of iron or steel," serving as a foundational classification for industrial, construction, and consumer goods. This chapter covers products that have undergone significant manufacturing processes beyond basic raw forms (which are found in Chapter 72), transforming them into identifiable finished or semi-finished articles. The scope includes everything from massive structural components used in bridges and buildings to intricate household items and small fasteners. Key sub-categories include tubes and pipes (7303-7306), structural elements and parts of structures (7308), reservoirs and tanks (7309-7310), wire products like ropes and barbed wire (7312-7314), chains (7315), nails and screws (7317-7318), springs (7320), household articles (7323), and other cast or forged articles (7325-7326). Proper classification within Chapter 73 is paramount for trade compliance due to varying duty rates, the frequent application of anti-dumping and countervailing duties (AD/CVD) on steel products from certain countries, and potential import quotas or licensing requirements, such as those related to national security tariffs (e.g., US Section 232). Historically, trade in iron and steel articles has been central to global industrialization and infrastructure development, making it a politically and economically sensitive sector that reflects global manufacturing capabilities and demand trends.

Covers
  • Steel structural beams
  • Cast iron manhole covers
  • Welded stainless steel pipes
  • Stainless steel kitchen sinks
  • Cast iron Dutch ovens
  • Steel scaffolding components
  • Galvanized barbed wire
  • Common steel nails and screws
  • High-tensile steel bolts and nuts
  • Laminated steel springs
  • Steel wire ropes for cranes
  • Prefabricated steel bridge sections
  • Iron railway track sleepers
  • Large steel storage tanks (non-pressure)
  • Marine steel anchors
  • Industrial steel chains
  • Central heating steel panel radiators
  • Stainless steel pots and pans
  • Steel dustbins with lids
  • Steel security door frames
  • Steel grating for storm drains
  • Cast iron fireplace grates
  • Unfilled steel gas cylinders
  • Steel washers
  • Steel sewing needles
Examples

A US construction firm imports large quantities of steel structural beams and columns (HS 7308) from South Korea for a new commercial skyscraper project in New York. These materials are shipped via ocean freight to the Port of Newark, where they undergo customs clearance, potentially facing Section 232 tariffs and requiring careful documentation to prove origin and compliance. An Italian kitchenware distributor sources stainless steel pots, pans, and mixing bowls (HS 7323) from a manufacturer in Vietnam. These household articles are transported by container ship to the Port of Genoa, then distributed across the European Union. Accurate classification ensures correct VAT application and adherence to EU food contact material regulations. An automotive assembly plant in Mexico imports specialized high-strength steel bolts, nuts, and washers (HS 7318) from Germany for critical vehicle components. These precision fasteners are often flown via air cargo to meet just-in-time inventory demands, traversing routes like Frankfurt to Mexico City, where precise classification is vital to prevent production delays and manage import duties under the USMCA agreement. A West African government agency procures cast iron pipes (HS 7303) and fittings (HS 7307) from India for a major urban water supply project. These heavy bulk materials are shipped via cargo vessels to the Port of Lagos, where they are subject to specific import duties and potentially eligible for preferential treatment under trade agreements between India and African nations, requiring careful customs declarations.

Headings in chapter 73 26

73.01Iron or steel sheet piling, whether or not drilled, punched or made from assembled elements; welded angles, shapes and sections, of iron or steel73.02Railway or tramway track constructions of iron or steel; rails, check and track rails, switch blades, crossing frogs, point rods, sleepers, fish-plates, chair wedges, sole plates, bedplates, ties and the like73.03Tubes, pipes and hollow profiles, of cast iron73.04Tubes, pipes and hollow profiles, seamless, of iron (other than cast iron) or steel73.05Iron or steel (excluding cast iron); tubes and pipes (e.g. welded, riveted or similarly closed), having circular cross-sections, external diameter of which exceeds 406.4mm, not seamless73.06Iron or steel (excluding cast iron); tubes, pipes and hollow profiles (not seamless), n.e.c. in chapter 7373.07Tube or pipe fittings (e.g. couplings, elbows, sleeves), of iron or steel73.08Structures of iron or steel and parts thereof; plates, rods, angles, shapes, sections, tubes and the like, prepared for use in structures73.09Reservoirs, tanks, vats and similar containers; for any material (excluding compressed or liquefied gas), of iron or steel, capacity exceeding 300l, whether or not lined or heat insulated73.10Tanks, casks, drums, cans, boxes and similar containers, for any material (excluding compressed or liquefied gas), of iron or steel, capacity not exceeding 300l, whether or not lined or heat-insulated73.11Containers for compressed or liquefied gas, of iron or steel73.12Stranded wire, ropes, cables, plaited bands, slings and the like, of iron or steel, not electrically insulated73.13Barbed wire of iron or steel; twisted hoop or single flat wire, barbed or not and loosely twisted double wire, of a kind used for fencing, of iron or steel73.14Cloth (including endless bands), grill, netting and fencing, of iron or steel wire; expanded metal of iron or steel73.15Chain and parts thereof, of iron or steel73.16Anchors, grapnels and parts thereof, of iron or steel73.17Nails, tacks, drawing pins, corrugated nails, staples (not those of heading no. 8305) and the like, of iron or steel, with heads of other material or not, but excluding articles with heads of copper73.18Screws, bolts, nuts, coach screws, screw hooks, rivets, cotters, cotter-pins, washers (including spring washers) and similar articles, of iron or steel73.19Sewing and knitting needles, bodkins, crochet hooks, embroidery stilettos and similar articles, for use in the hand, of iron or steel; safety pins and other pins of iron or steel, not elsewhere specified or included73.20Springs and leaves for springs, of iron or steel73.21Stoves, ranges, grates, cookers (those with subsidiary boilers for central heating), barbecues, braziers, gas-rings, plate warmers and similar non-electric domestic appliances and parts, of iron or steel73.22Radiators for central heating, not electrically heated and parts thereof, of iron or steel; air heaters, hot air distributors not electrically heated, with motor fan or blower73.23Table, kitchen, other household articles and parts, of iron or steel; iron or steel wool; pot scourers and scouring or polishing pads, gloves and the like, of iron or steel73.24Sanitary ware and parts thereof, of iron or steel73.25Iron or steel; cast articles73.26Iron or steel; articles, n.e.c. in chapter 73

161 Brazil NCM codes in chapter 73 →

Codes often confused with 73

Common mistake. Misclassification within Chapter 73 often stems from confusing raw materials with finished articles, or articles of iron/steel with more specialized products. A common mistake is classifying basic forms of iron or steel (e.g., ingots, bars, rods, sheets) under Chapter 73; these belong in Chapter 72, which covers "Iron and steel" in their primary forms or semi-finished states. Another frequent error is classifying tools or cutlery made of iron or steel (e.g., knives, scissors, hand tools) in Chapter 73; these are specifically covered in Chapter 82 due to their functional designation. Similarly, complex articles of iron or steel that perform a mechanical or electrical function (e.g., pumps, engines, electric heaters) are typically classified in Chapters 84 or 85, respectively, as machinery or electrical equipment, rather than as simple articles of iron or steel. The key differentiator is often the degree of processing and the primary function of the article.

Top exporters and importers of HS code 73, 2025

In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 73 in UN Comtrade data was China, with 28% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was the United States, with 12% of world imports. Countries that did not report 2025 data are estimated from partner records, which can understate them.

Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports

  1. 1 China $107.8B
  2. 2 Germany $36.1B
  3. 3 Italy $21.8B

World total: $387.7B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗

Top importers 2025 · share of world imports

  1. 1 United States $44.2B
  2. 2 Germany $29.5B
  3. 3 France $14.3B

World total: $373.8B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗

How these figures are built

109 countries reported 2025 trade to UN Comtrade in HS 2022, and their own totals are used. Countries that did not report are estimated from what other countries recorded trading with them. Those estimates miss trade with other non-reporting countries, so they can be low, and a non-reporting country can rank higher than shown or be missing from the list. World totals add both and leave out trade between two non-reporting countries. Figures are in current US dollars; reported imports are mostly valued CIF and exports FOB, and exports include re-exports. The UN Comtrade links show the underlying records; they can also list a few reporters left out here (regional groups and older HS editions).

Source: UN Comtrade (United Nations Statistics Division), 2025 annual data.

Questions about HS 73

What is HS code 73?

HS code 73 is a 2-digit chapter in the Harmonized System that covers: Iron or steel articles. Chapter 73 of the Harmonized System encompasses a vast and diverse range of "Articles of iron or steel," serving as a foundational classification for industrial, construction, and consumer goods. This chapter covers products that have undergone significant manufacturing processes beyond basic raw forms (which are found in Chapter 72), transforming them into identifiable finished or semi-finished articles. The scope includes everything from massive structural components used in bridges and buildings to intricate household items and small fasteners. Key sub-categories include tubes and pipes (7303-7306), structural elements and parts of structures (7308), reservoirs and tanks (7309-7310), wire products like ropes and barbed wire (7312-7314), chains (7315), nails and screws (7317-7318), springs (7320), household articles (7323), and other cast or forged articles (7325-7326). Proper classification within Chapter 73 is paramount for trade compliance due to varying duty rates, the frequent application of anti-dumping and countervailing duties (AD/CVD) on steel products from certain countries, and potential import quotas or licensing requirements, such as those related to national security tariffs (e.g., US Section 232). Historically, trade in iron and steel articles has been central to global industrialization and infrastructure development, making it a politically and economically sensitive sector that reflects global manufacturing capabilities and demand trends.

What products fall under HS code 73?

Steel structural beams, Cast iron manhole covers, Welded stainless steel pipes, Stainless steel kitchen sinks, Cast iron Dutch ovens, Steel scaffolding components, Galvanized barbed wire, Common steel nails and screws, High-tensile steel bolts and nuts, Laminated steel springs, Steel wire ropes for cranes, Prefabricated steel bridge sections, Iron railway track sleepers, Large steel storage tanks (non-pressure), Marine steel anchors, Industrial steel chains, Central heating steel panel radiators, Stainless steel pots and pans, Steel dustbins with lids, Steel security door frames, Steel grating for storm drains, Cast iron fireplace grates, Unfilled steel gas cylinders, Steel washers, Steel sewing needles

What are common misclassifications for HS code 73?

Misclassification within Chapter 73 often stems from confusing raw materials with finished articles, or articles of iron/steel with more specialized products. A common mistake is classifying basic forms of iron or steel (e.g., ingots, bars, rods, sheets) under Chapter 73; these belong in Chapter 72, which covers "Iron and steel" in their primary forms or semi-finished states. Another frequent error is classifying tools or cutlery made of iron or steel (e.g., knives, scissors, hand tools) in Chapter 73; these are specifically covered in Chapter 82 due to their functional designation. Similarly, complex articles of iron or steel that perform a mechanical or electrical function (e.g., pumps, engines, electric heaters) are typically classified in Chapters 84 or 85, respectively, as machinery or electrical equipment, rather than as simple articles of iron or steel. The key differentiator is often the degree of processing and the primary function of the article.

Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 73?

In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 73 in UN Comtrade data were China ($107.8B, 28% of world exports), Germany ($36.1B) and Italy ($21.8B). World exports came to about $387.7B, adding countries' reported figures and partner-based estimates for those that did not report (UN Comtrade data). Countries that did not report 2025 data are estimated from partner records, which can understate them.

Which countries are the top importers of goods under HS code 73?

In 2025, the top importers of HS code 73 in UN Comtrade data were the United States ($44.2B, 12% of world imports), Germany ($29.5B) and France ($14.3B). World imports came to about $373.8B, adding countries' reported figures and partner-based estimates for those that did not report (UN Comtrade data). Countries that did not report 2025 data are estimated from partner records, which can understate them.

How is HS code 73 structured?

HS code 73 is a 2-digit chapter code in the Harmonized System maintained by the World Customs Organization. It represents a broad category of goods and contains multiple 4-digit headings and 6-digit subheadings for more specific classifications.