HS Code for HRPO steel coil

Hot Rolled Pickled and Oiled (HRPO) steel coils are classified under HS code 7208.26. This code is specific to flat-rolled iron or non-alloy steel, in coils, hot-rolled, and "pickled." Pickling is a chemical process where the steel is passed through an acid solution (usually hydrochloric acid) to remove surface oxides and scale resulting from the hot-rolling process. Following pickling, oil is applied to prevent flash rusting. This specific subheading 7208.26 is used when the thickness of the steel is 3 mm or more but less than 4.75 mm. The width must be 600 mm or more. The "pickled" status is the primary differentiator from standard hot-rolled coils, as it indicates a higher level of surface finish suitable for painting or plating without further heavy cleaning.

Products Included

• HRPO (Hot Rolled Pickled and Oiled) steel in coils
• Pickled hot-rolled non-alloy steel coils (3mm to 4.75mm thickness)
• Acid-cleaned hot-rolled steel strip in coils
• Oiled and pickled hot-rolled sheets in continuous coils

Common Misclassification

HRPO coils are frequently misclassified under 7208.38, which is for standard hot-rolled coils (not pickled) of the same thickness. The presence of the pickling process is a critical technical distinction in the HS nomenclature. Another error is 7208.25, which covers pickled coils with a thickness of 4.75 mm or more. Furthermore, HRPO is sometimes confused with cold-rolled steel (heading 7209). While HRPO has a cleaner surface than standard HR, it has not undergone the cold-reduction process that defines 7209, and thus must remain in 7208.

FAQ

What is the HS code for HRPO steel coil?

The HS code for HRPO steel coil with a thickness between 3mm and 4.75mm and a width of at least 600mm is 7208.26.

Why is pickling important for classification?

Pickling is a specific surface treatment recognized by the HS system that moves the product into the 7208.2x subheadings, separating it from non-treated hot-rolled steel.