HS Code 80.03 – Tin; bars, rods, profiles and wire

HS code 8003 is a 4-digit heading in the Harmonized System that covers: Tin; bars, rods, profiles and wire. Heading 8003 covers "Tin; bars, rods, profiles and wire." This classification encompasses semi-manufactured products of tin, which have undergone initial working beyond the unwrought stage but are not yet finished articles. These forms are typically produced by processes such as extrusion, drawing, or rolling, resulting in specific shapes and dimensions. Bars are solid, usually rectangular or square in cross-section; rods are similar but often round; profiles are shapes with a uniform cross-section (e.g., hexagonal, complex architectural forms); and wire refers to elongated, thin strands. These products are crucial intermediate materials for various industries, including electronics (solder wire), plumbing, and specialized engineering applications. The scope is limited to tin and tin alloys where tin predominates by weight. This heading distinguishes itself from unwrought tin (8001) by the degree of working and from finished articles (8007) by their primary function as raw materials for further manufacturing. For trade compliance, precise classification under 8003 is vital for determining correct duties, adhering to product standards (e.g., alloy composition, lead-free requirements), and verifying rules of origin. This heading forms an integral part of Chapter 80 (Tin and articles thereof) within Section XV (Base Metals and Articles of Base Metal), illustrating the progression of tin from raw material to a more refined, usable form.

Tin solder bars, Tin solder wire, Pure tin rods, Tin alloy bars (e.g., tin-lead, tin-silver), Tin profiles for architectural use, Tin wire for electrical fuses (unmounted), Tin-plated copper wire (where tin predominates), Tin extrusions, Tin welding rods, Tin drawing wire, Tin rectangular bars, Tin square rods, Tin hexagonal profiles, Tin round wire, Tin flattened wire, Tin-bismuth alloy wire, Tin-antimony alloy bars, Tin-zinc alloy rods, Tin-silver alloy wire, Tin-copper alloy bars, Tin wire for circuit board manufacturing, Tin anode rods (unmounted), Tin filler rods for brazing.

A common classification error is confusing unwrought tin bars/rods (8001) with the worked bars/rods of 8003. The distinction lies in the manufacturing process: 8001 is simply cast, while 8003 implies shaping through extrusion, drawing, or rolling. Another frequent mistake is classifying a tin product that has a specific, defined function as an 'article' (e.g., a finished fuse) under 8003, when it should properly fall under 8007 (Tin; articles n.e.c.). Lastly, incorrect identification of the predominant base metal can lead to misclassification under other base metal headings, such as 7407 for copper bars/rods or 7604 for aluminum bars/rods, if the product is actually a tin alloy.

In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 8003 in UN Comtrade data were China ($76M, 14% of world exports), the United States ($55M) and Malaysia ($50M). World exports came to about $548M, 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 8003 in UN Comtrade data were China ($87M, 14% of world imports), Vietnam (about $55M) and Mexico ($49M). World imports came to about $616M, 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 8003 is a 4-digit heading under Chapter 80 of the Harmonized System. The first 2 digits (80) identify the chapter, and digits 3-4 (03) specify the heading. This code contains multiple 6-digit subheadings for precise product classification.