HS Code 7204Ferrous waste and scrap; remelting scrap ingots of iron or steel
7 six-digit codes · Heading 4 of 29 in Chapter 72 · World Customs Organization Harmonized System
Looking up HS code 7204? This is a plain guide to the iron and steel scrap codes under it and how to pick the right one.
Heading 7204 is finely cut: 7 six-digit codes, 720410 to 720450, all of them under “Ferrous waste and scrap; remelting scrap ingots of iron or steel”. At that depth it is the exact wording of the code, not of the heading, that settles a classification. The heading is number 4 of 29 in Chapter 72, Iron and steel, which runs to 167 six-digit codes in all.
Six-digit codes under heading 7204
| HS Code | Import–export description |
|---|---|
| 720410 | Ferrous waste and scrap; of cast iron |
| 720421 | Ferrous waste and scrap; of stainless steel |
| 720429 | Ferrous waste and scrap; of alloy steel (excluding stainless) |
| 720430 | Ferrous waste and scrap; of tinned iron or steel |
| 720441 | Ferrous waste and scrap; turnings, shavings, chips, milling waste, sawdust, filings, trimmings and stampings, whether or not in bundles |
| 720449 | Ferrous waste and scrap; n.e.c. in heading no. 7204 |
| 720450 | Ferrous products; remelting scrap ingots |
Ferrous waste and scrap HS code 7204 explained
Ferrous means metal made mostly of iron. Waste and scrap is leftover or used metal that is not sold as a finished product. This heading also takes remelting scrap ingots, which are made only to go back into a furnace.
You may see the same heading written as HSN code 7204 or HTS code 7204. The first four digits are shared. Scrap inside Chapter 72 is sorted by what the metal is made of and by its shape, so the heading splits into several subheadings. For customs classification, traders use the full six-digit code.
HS code 7204 subheadings: cast iron, tinned steel and more
Each of the 7 subheadings, from 720410 to 720450, names one kind of iron and steel scrap.
- 720410: scrap made of cast iron, a hard and brittle metal.
- 720429: scrap of alloy steel. Stainless is left out on purpose.
- 720430: scrap of tinned iron or steel, which has a tin coating.
- These are small pieces left when metal is cut, drilled or pressed. They may be loose or in bundles.
- 720449: other ferrous scrap not named anywhere else in the heading.
- 720450: remelting scrap ingots, which are cast blocks made for melting again.
How to pick the right 7204 subheading
Start with the material. Ask if the scrap is cast iron, stainless steel, alloy steel or tinned iron or steel. A match with one of these usually settles the code. Note that alloy steel scrap only fits 720429 when it is not stainless.
Next, look at the form. Small cutting waste fits 720441. Keep 720449 for last. It catches ferrous scrap that fits none of the named groups.
Scrap already cast into ingots for remelting belongs in 720450, not in the loose scrap codes. If you are unsure, test your product description in the HS code classifier before you file.
7204 vs nearby Chapter 72 headings
Scrap is old or waste metal. Several neighbouring headings cover metal that was newly made, and mixing them up is a common mistake.
Stainless steel in primary forms goes to 7218. Alloy steel in primary forms goes to 7224.
A simple test helps. If the metal is waste or used, think 7204. If it was freshly made as a raw form, check the headings above. Countries also add their own digits after the six-digit code, and their tariff rates differ, so check the national schedule of the country you ship to.
Find importers and exporters of ferrous scrap
EximDataX shows shipment-level import and export records from official customs sources. Coverage: 43 direct customs feeds plus 184 mirror-derived countries. Named buyers and named suppliers are available in 38 of the 43 direct markets. Most markets refresh weekly and some refresh daily.
You can search by HS code to see who imports and exports a product, and book a free demo. Start with 7204, or with one subheading if you trade a single type of scrap.
Related
- Chapter 72: Iron and steel
- Heading 7203 direct-reduced iron
- Heading 7205 iron and steel powders
- Heading 7218 stainless steel primary forms
- Heading 7224 alloy steel primary forms
- Check your scrap classification
- Ferrous scrap import data
- Ferrous scrap export data
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Nearby headings in Chapter 72
- 7201Pig iron and spiegeleisen in pigs, blocks or other primary forms3 codes
- 7202Ferro-alloys15 codes
- 7203Ferrous products obtained by direct reduction of iron ore and other spongy…2 codes
- 7205Granules and powders, of pig iron, spiegeleisen, iron or steel3 codes
- 7206Iron and non-alloy steel in ingots or other primary forms (excluding iron of…2 codes
- 7207Iron or non-alloy steel; semi-finished products thereof4 codes
- 7208Iron or non-alloy steel; flat-rolled products of a width of 600mm or more…14 codes
- 7209Iron or non-alloy steel; flat-rolled products, width 600mm or more…9 codes
- 7210Iron or non-alloy steel; flat-rolled products, width 600mm or more, clad…11 codes
- 7211Iron or non-alloy steel; flat-rolled products, width less than 600mm, not…6 codes
- 7212Iron or non-alloy steel; flat-rolled products, width less than 600mm, clad…6 codes
- 7213Iron or non-alloy steel; bars and rods, hot-rolled, in irregularly wound coils4 codes
Who ships under 7204?
EximDataX tracks the live import–export records filed under this heading and the 7 codes beneath it: named buyers, suppliers, quantities and values from official customs feeds.
Section XV: Base Metals and Articles of Base Metal, chapters 72–83.
HS Code 7204: common questions
What is the HSN code for 7204?
HSN is the name some countries use for the same code system. So the HSN code for ferrous waste and scrap is 7204, with the same digits as the HS code.
What is the HS code for stainless steel scrap?
Use 720421.
Which code covers steel turnings, shavings and chips?
That is 720441. It also takes milling waste, sawdust, filings, trimmings and stampings, loose or bundled.
What is the difference between 7204 and 7203?
7204 is for waste and scrap. 7203 is for products made by direct reduction of iron ore, such as spongy iron in lumps or pellets.
Where are remelting scrap ingots classified?
They sit in 720450, which is made for ferrous remelting scrap ingots.
Is the HS code for scrap the same across countries?
The first six digits follow the Harmonized System, so they match worldwide. Each country can add extra digits for its own tariff lines.
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