Ferrous products obtained by direct reduction of iron ore and other spongy ferrous products, in lumps, pellets or similar forms; iron having a minimum purity by weight of 99.94 percent, in lumps, pellets or similar forms
2 declarable lines
Heading 7203 covers two related but distinct groups of primary iron material: ferrous products made by direct reduction of iron ore, such as sponge iron in lumps, pellets or similar forms, and very high purity iron (99.94% or more by weight) also in lumps, pellets or similar forms. The heading splits at the subheading level into direct reduced iron products in 7203.10.00.00 and everything else in 7203.90.00.00. Both lines carry a general (MFN) duty rate of Free.
Products in this heading
- Direct reduced iron pellets (DRI pellets)
- Hot briquetted iron (HBI) briquettes
- Sponge iron in lumps from a direct reduction furnace
- Cold direct reduced iron (CDRI) in pellet form
- Iron of 99.94% or higher purity in lumps
- High purity iron pellets for specialty melting stock
- Direct reduced iron fines and similar small forms
How to choose the right subheading
- Whether the material was produced by direct reduction of iron ore rather than by smelting in a furnace
- The physical form: lumps, pellets, briquettes or similar pieces, versus powder, granules or ingots
- Whether the product is a direct reduced ferrous product or high purity iron meeting the 99.94% threshold
- Whether other elements are present in ferroalloy proportions, which would move the goods to another heading
Often confused with
- Heading 7201Pig iron in pigs, blocks or other primary forms
Pig iron is smelted in a blast furnace, not made by direct reduction.
- Heading 7202Ferroalloys such as ferromanganese or ferrosilicon
Alloys with other elements in specified proportions go to the ferroalloy heading.
- Heading 7204Iron and steel scrap, including remelting scrap ingots
Waste and scrap, and ingots remelted from scrap, are classified as scrap.
- Heading 7205Granules and powders of iron or steel
Reduced iron in powder or granule form below the lump and pellet size goes here.
- Heading 7206Iron ingots and other primary forms not made by direct reduction
Cast or remelted ingots of iron are classified outside heading 7203.
Frequently asked questions
What is the HTS code for direct reduced iron pellets?
Direct reduced iron in pellet form is classified under 7203.10.00.00, and the general (MFN) rate is Free. The same line covers lumps, briquettes and similar forms made by direct reduction of iron ore.
What is the duty on direct reduced iron and sponge iron?
Both declarable lines in this heading are duty Free under the general (MFN) column. Direct reduced ferrous products fall under 7203.10.00.00 with a general (MFN) rate of Free, and other products in the heading fall under 7203.90.00.00, also Free.
How do I classify high purity iron in lumps or pellets?
Iron with a minimum purity of 99.94% by weight in lumps, pellets or similar forms is not a direct reduced ferrous product, so it is classified under 7203.90.00.00, general (MFN) rate Free. Direct reduced ferrous products in the same physical forms go to 7203.10.00.00 instead.
Guide written from the official schedule text. Rates quoted are general (MFN) rates; check the line page for trade agreement rates and the classification of your exact product.