HS Code for Tin-free steel

Tin-free steel (TFS), technically known as Electrolytic Chromium Coated Steel (ECCS), is classified under HS code 7210.50. This code is specific to flat-rolled products of iron or non-alloy steel with a width of 600 mm or more that have been plated or coated with chromium oxides or with chromium and chromium oxides. TFS was developed as a more economical alternative to traditional tinplate. It features a dual-layer coating: a bottom layer of metallic chromium and a top layer of chromium oxide. This structure provides excellent lacquer adhesion and resistance to sulfur staining, making it highly desirable for the production of food cans, crown corks, and deep-drawn components. The classification is strictly determined by the width of the steel (600 mm or more) and the specific chemical nature of the coating (chromium-based), distinguishing it from other coated steels like galvanized or tin-plated varieties. This classification ensures that the material is correctly identified for industrial packaging standards.

Products Included

• Electrolytic Chromium Coated Steel (ECCS) sheets
• Wide coils of chromium-plated non-alloy steel
• TFS used for can ends and twist-off caps
• Lacquered tin-free steel in wide rolls

Common Misclassification

Tin-free steel is often confused with tin-plated steel (tinplate) under 7210.11 or 7210.12. The primary difference is the coating material; 7210.50 is for chromium coatings, while 7210.11/12 is for tin coatings. It is also sometimes misclassified under 7210.70 if it is painted or plastic-coated, but the chromium layer takes precedence in the 7210.50 sub-heading if it is the primary protective coating.

FAQ

What is the HS code for Tin-free steel?

The HS code for tin-free steel (width 600mm or more) is 7210.50.

Is tin-free steel the same as stainless steel?

No, tin-free steel is a non-alloy steel with a thin chromium coating, whereas stainless steel (Chapter 7219/7220) is an alloy steel containing at least 10.5% chromium throughout the metal.