HS code · 4-digit heading

HS Code 73.23 – Table, 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 steel

What HS 73.23 covers

Heading 7323 is a comprehensive classification for a vast array of common household articles, kitchenware, and table articles, provided they are made of iron or steel. This heading covers virtually all non-electric utensils and containers found in a typical home, from cooking pots and pans to cutlery, kitchen tools, and various serving articles. It also specifically includes iron or steel wool, pot scourers, and similar scouring/polishing pads and gloves. The scope is broad but critically limited by the material composition – articles must be predominantly of iron or steel. Products with significant non-iron/steel components, or those specifically classified elsewhere (e.g., electrical appliances in Chapter 85, articles of other base metals), are excluded. For trade compliance, this heading is vital due to the sheer volume of goods traded globally, often involving anti-dumping duties, consumer safety regulations (e.g., food contact materials), and quality standards. Its placement in Chapter 73 emphasizes the material, making it distinct from similar items made of glass, ceramic, or plastic.

Covers
  • Stainless steel frying pans
  • Cast iron skillets
  • Stainless steel spoons
  • Forks
  • Knives (non-electric)
  • Kitchen spatulas
  • Ladles
  • Can openers
  • Potato peelers
  • Metal strainers
  • Colanders
  • Mixing bowls (of iron or steel)
  • Baking sheets
  • Roasting pans
  • Non-electric kettles
  • Pressure cookers (non-electric, of iron or steel)
  • Tea infusers
  • Iron wool
  • Steel wool scouring pads
  • Stainless steel pot scourers
  • Metal dish drying racks
  • Bottle openers
  • Cookie cutters
  • Grater boxes
  • Vegetable choppers (manual, of iron or steel)
  • Bread bins (of iron or steel)
  • Waste bins (household, of iron or steel)
  • Towel racks (household, of iron or steel).
Examples

Chinese manufacturers are dominant exporters, shipping vast quantities of stainless steel cookware sets and cutlery to major retailers across the United States and Europe via ocean freight, often subject to specific anti-dumping duties. An Indian company might export traditional cast iron 'kadhais' and 'tawas' to specialty food stores in the UK, catering to ethnic markets and leveraging direct shipping routes. A German brand could import high-quality stainless steel kitchen tools from Vietnam for packaging and distribution across the EU, benefiting from preferential trade agreements.

Subheadings under 73.23 6

Codes often confused with 73.23

Common mistake. A common mistake is classifying electric versions of these articles, such as electric kettles or pressure cookers, under this heading when they belong in 8516. Another error involves misclassifying articles made of other materials, like aluminum cookware (7615) or ceramic dishes (6911), as iron or steel. Articles with significant plastic or wood components, even if they contain some iron or steel, might also be misclassified if the non-metal component gives the article its essential character. Always confirm the primary material and non-electric nature.

Top exporters and importers of HS code 7323, 2025

In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 7323 in UN Comtrade data was China, with 66% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was the United States, with 17% 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 $11.0B
  2. 2 Germany $873M
  3. 3 India $540M

World total: $16.6B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗

Top importers 2025 · share of world imports

  1. 1 United States $2.8B
  2. 2 Germany $1.6B
  3. 3 Poland $1.2B

World total: $16.2B 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 73.23

What is HS code 7323?

HS code 7323 is a 4-digit heading in the Harmonized System that covers: Table, 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 steel. Heading 7323 is a comprehensive classification for a vast array of common household articles, kitchenware, and table articles, provided they are made of iron or steel. This heading covers virtually all non-electric utensils and containers found in a typical home, from cooking pots and pans to cutlery, kitchen tools, and various serving articles. It also specifically includes iron or steel wool, pot scourers, and similar scouring/polishing pads and gloves. The scope is broad but critically limited by the material composition – articles must be predominantly of iron or steel. Products with significant non-iron/steel components, or those specifically classified elsewhere (e.g., electrical appliances in Chapter 85, articles of other base metals), are excluded. For trade compliance, this heading is vital due to the sheer volume of goods traded globally, often involving anti-dumping duties, consumer safety regulations (e.g., food contact materials), and quality standards. Its placement in Chapter 73 emphasizes the material, making it distinct from similar items made of glass, ceramic, or plastic.

What products fall under HS code 7323?

Stainless steel frying pans, cast iron skillets, stainless steel spoons, forks, knives (non-electric), kitchen spatulas, ladles, can openers, potato peelers, metal strainers, colanders, mixing bowls (of iron or steel), baking sheets, roasting pans, non-electric kettles, pressure cookers (non-electric, of iron or steel), tea infusers, iron wool, steel wool scouring pads, stainless steel pot scourers, metal dish drying racks, bottle openers, cookie cutters, grater boxes, vegetable choppers (manual, of iron or steel), bread bins (of iron or steel), waste bins (household, of iron or steel), towel racks (household, of iron or steel).

What are common misclassifications for HS code 7323?

A common mistake is classifying electric versions of these articles, such as electric kettles or pressure cookers, under this heading when they belong in 8516. Another error involves misclassifying articles made of other materials, like aluminum cookware (7615) or ceramic dishes (6911), as iron or steel. Articles with significant plastic or wood components, even if they contain some iron or steel, might also be misclassified if the non-metal component gives the article its essential character. Always confirm the primary material and non-electric nature.

Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 7323?

In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 7323 in UN Comtrade data were China ($11.0B, 66% of world exports), Germany ($873M) and India ($540M). World exports came to about $16.6B, 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 7323?

In 2025, the top importers of HS code 7323 in UN Comtrade data were the United States ($2.8B, 17% of world imports), Germany ($1.6B) and Poland ($1.2B). World imports came to about $16.2B, 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 7323 structured?

HS code 7323 is a 4-digit heading under Chapter 73 of the Harmonized System. The first 2 digits (73) identify the chapter, and digits 3-4 (23) specify the heading. This code contains multiple 6-digit subheadings for precise product classification.