Every export shipment needs an HS code. It decides the import duty your buyer pays, the incentives you can claim, the trade data you appear in and sometimes whether trade remedies apply. Yet many metal exporters copy codes from old invoices without checking. This guide explains the main HS codes for steel pipes, fittings, flanges, fasteners and flat products.
Note: HS codes are harmonised at 6 digits worldwide. Countries add more digits (India uses 8-digit ITC-HS). Final classification should always be confirmed with your customs broker against the current tariff.
How HS codes are structured
- Chapter (2 digits): for example 73 — articles of iron or steel.
- Heading (4 digits): for example 7304 — seamless tubes and pipes.
- Subheading (6 digits): for example 7304.41 — cold-drawn seamless stainless tubes.
- National tariff line (8+ digits): country-specific detail.
Steel raw forms and flat products sit mostly in Chapter 72; finished articles such as pipes, fittings and fasteners sit in Chapter 73.
Pipes and tubes
| Heading | Description |
|---|---|
| 7304 | Seamless tubes, pipes and hollow profiles of iron (other than cast iron) or steel |
| 7305 | Other tubes and pipes with circular cross-section and external diameter exceeding 406.4 mm (e.g., large welded line pipe) |
| 7306 | Other tubes, pipes and hollow profiles (e.g., welded pipes up to 406.4 mm OD, square and rectangular hollow sections) |
Within 7304, subheadings separate line pipe for oil and gas, casing and tubing, stainless steel, other alloy steel, and cold-drawn versus other. For example, 7304.41 covers cold-drawn or cold-rolled seamless stainless steel tubes, and 7304.49 covers other seamless stainless tubes.
Pipe fittings and flanges
Heading 7307 covers tube or pipe fittings (couplings, elbows, sleeves and flanges) of iron or steel:
| Subheading | Description |
|---|---|
| 7307.11 / 7307.19 | Cast fittings |
| 7307.21 | Flanges of stainless steel |
| 7307.22 | Threaded elbows, bends and sleeves of stainless steel |
| 7307.23 | Butt welding fittings of stainless steel |
| 7307.29 | Other stainless steel fittings (e.g., socket weld) |
| 7307.91 | Flanges, other than stainless (e.g., carbon steel) |
| 7307.92 | Threaded elbows, bends and sleeves, other than stainless |
| 7307.93 | Butt welding fittings, other than stainless |
| 7307.99 | Other fittings, other than stainless |
Notice that material (stainless or not) and connection type change the code. A carbon steel weld neck flange and a stainless one have different codes. For background on fitting types, see butt weld vs socket weld fittings.
Fasteners
Heading 7318 covers screws, bolts, nuts, washers and similar articles of iron or steel. Stud bolts, hex bolts and nuts each fall under different subheadings — for example, 7318.15 for other screws and bolts and 7318.16 for nuts. See stud bolt grades explained.
Flat products, bars and sections
| Heading | Description |
|---|---|
| 7208–7212 | Flat-rolled products of iron or non-alloy steel (hot-rolled, cold-rolled, coated) |
| 7213–7215 | Bars and rods of iron or non-alloy steel |
| 7216 | Angles, shapes and sections of iron or non-alloy steel |
| 7219–7220 | Flat-rolled stainless steel |
| 7222 | Stainless steel bars, rods, angles and sections |
| 7225–7228 | Other alloy steel flat products, bars and sections |
Valves
Valves are not in Chapter 73. They fall under 8481 (taps, cocks, valves and similar appliances), with subheadings by function — for example safety valves, check valves and other valves. See industrial valve types.
Why the right HS code matters
- Buyer's import duty: a wrong code can lead to wrong duty, delays and penalties for your customer.
- Your export incentives: drawback and RoDTEP rates are linked to HS codes. See RoDTEP and duty drawback.
- Trade remedies: anti-dumping or safeguard duties in destination countries often apply to specific codes.
- Trade data visibility: importers searching shipment data by HS code will find exporters using the correct code. See find importers using trade data.
- Carbon border rules: the EU's CBAM covers many Chapter 72 and 73 codes. See CBAM for Indian steel exporters.
Tips to classify correctly
- Describe the product precisely: material, manufacturing method (seamless/welded), shape, dimensions and end use.
- Check the heading notes and explanatory notes, not just the short description.
- Use the same code consistently across invoice, packing list, shipping bill and certificate of origin.
- Ask the buyer which code their customs broker uses — differences at 8+ digits are common between countries.
- Get a written opinion or advance ruling for high-value, recurring shipments when in doubt.
Frequently asked questions
What is the HS code for stainless steel seamless pipe?
It falls under heading 7304, typically 7304.41 for cold-drawn or 7304.49 for other seamless stainless pipe, depending on manufacturing method.
What is the HS code for carbon steel flanges?
Usually 7307.91 (flanges of iron or steel, other than stainless).
What is the HS code for stainless steel butt weld fittings?
Typically 7307.23.
Can my buyer and I use different HS codes?
The first six digits should match. National digits can differ because each country has its own tariff.
Key takeaways
- Chapter 72 covers raw and flat products; Chapter 73 covers pipes, fittings and fasteners.
- 7304 seamless pipes, 7306 welded pipes, 7307 fittings and flanges, 7318 fasteners.
- Material and connection type change the subheading.
- Confirm classification with your customs broker and stay consistent across documents.
Correct HS codes make customs smooth — and smooth shipments make buyers reorder. Include them clearly in every QuoteMitra quotation and proforma.
