HS Code 76.06 – Aluminium; plates, sheets and strip, thickness exceeding 0.2mm

HS code 7606 is a 4-digit heading in the Harmonized System that covers: Aluminium; plates, sheets and strip, thickness exceeding 0.2mm. HS Code 7606 encompasses 'Aluminium; plates, sheets and strip, of a thickness exceeding 0.2 mm,' representing a foundational category of rolled aluminium products essential for a vast range of industries. This heading covers flat-rolled products, either rectangular or square, supplied in flat form or in coils (strip). The critical boundary for this classification is the thickness: it must exceed 0.2 mm. This distinguishes it from aluminium foil (7607), which is 0.2 mm or less in thickness. The scope includes various alloys, tempers (e.g., hardened, annealed), and surface treatments (e.g., clad, polished, embossed), provided they remain in their primary flat-rolled form. Accurate classification is paramount for trade compliance, as these products are high-volume, high-value inputs for manufacturing sectors globally. It impacts customs duties, anti-dumping measures, and eligibility for trade agreement benefits. Key sub-categories include common alloy sheets for general fabrication, specialized aerospace-grade plates, marine-grade sheets, automotive body panels (unformed), and lithographic sheets. Historically, the continuous rolling process for aluminium sheets transformed industries from aviation to packaging. This heading is central to Chapter 76, serving as a critical intermediate product derived from unwrought aluminium (7601) that is further processed into an immense array of finished articles in subsequent chapters (e.g., Chapter 87 for vehicles, Chapter 84 for machinery, or Chapter 76 itself for fabricated structures). Its versatility makes it indispensable across the modern industrial landscape.

Aluminium sheet for aircraft skins, marine grade aluminium plates, automotive body panels (unformed), embossed aluminium tread plates, lithographic printing sheets, fin stock for heat exchangers, deep drawing quality aluminium sheets, aluminium coil stock, pre-painted aluminium sheets, anodized aluminium sheets, clad aluminium sheets, polished aluminium plates, patterned aluminium sheets, corrugated aluminium sheets, diamond plate aluminium sheets, aluminium armour plates, aluminium sheets for road signs, aluminium sheets for building facades, aluminium sheets for industrial insulation, aluminium sheets for cryogenic tanks, aluminium sheets for can stock (unformed), aluminium sheets for appliance panels, aluminium sheets for general fabrication, aluminium sheets for shipbuilding, aluminium sheets for truck bodies

A common misclassification error for HS 7606 is confusing plates, sheets, and strip with aluminium foil (7607). The crucial distinction lies in thickness: 7606 covers products exceeding 0.2 mm, while 7607 covers foil of 0.2 mm or less. Traders often overlook this precise dimensional boundary. Another mistake is classifying highly worked or formed aluminium articles (e.g., stamped automotive parts, fabricated structures, or finished panels with cutouts and holes) under 7606 instead of their respective finished goods chapters (e.g., 8708 for vehicle parts or 7610 for structures). The key is to determine if the product is still a flat-rolled, semi-finished material or if it has undergone significant further processing that changes its fundamental character and end-use.

In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 7606 in UN Comtrade data were China ($10.4B, 24% of world exports), Germany ($6.3B) and South Korea ($2.9B). World exports came to about $43.2B, 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.

In 2025, the top importers of HS code 7606 in UN Comtrade data were Germany ($3.9B, 9.0% of world imports), the United States ($3.8B) and Mexico ($3.1B). World imports came to about $43.2B, 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.

HS code 7606 is a 4-digit heading under Chapter 76 of the Harmonized System. The first 2 digits (76) identify the chapter, and digits 3-4 (06) specify the heading. This code contains multiple 6-digit subheadings for precise product classification.