Ferrous products obtained by direct reduction of iron ore — HTS 7203
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
Chapter 72 › Heading 7203
2026 HTS Rev 19 Synced Rules verified Operational
Written to help non-specialists understand this page. Rates, dates, and legal facts come from the official records above and on the linked source.
HTS heading 7203 is a four-digit product category for certain iron-based materials. It covers ferrous products made by directly reducing iron ore, commonly called direct-reduced iron or sponge iron, when presented as lumps, pellets, or similar forms. It also covers very high-purity iron meeting the heading’s stated minimum purity requirement in those forms.
To identify the correct eight-digit HTS code, start with the product’s physical form and manufacturing process, then confirm its material or type. The eight-digit provisions generally separate products by characteristics such as whether they are direct-reduced ferrous products or high-purity iron. Classification should be based on technical documents, not just a commercial name or invoice description.
What to check
- Confirm whether the product was made by direct reduction of iron ore or is high-purity iron covered by the heading.
- Check the product’s form—such as lumps, pellets, or another comparable form—and compare it with the wording of the relevant subheading.
- Verify chemical analysis, including iron purity and any stated minimum threshold, using a certificate of analysis or manufacturer specification.
- Read all subheading descriptions and applicable legal notes in the current HTS before selecting the eight-digit code.
- Ask a customs broker or obtain a formal classification ruling if the manufacturing process, purity, or product form is unclear.
HTS heading 7203 summary
Ferrous products obtained by direct reduction of iron ore is a 4-digit product category containing 2 published product-code lines in this snapshot. A heading does not carry one universal duty rate; classification must be narrowed to the line matching the product facts.
How to find your code in this category
A heading is a product category. To get the exact duty, narrow from this 4-digit heading to a sub-category (usually by material), then open the 8-digit code that matches your product.
Open any code in the tables below to see its exact duty rate, a duty calculator (enter your shipment value → estimated duty and landed cost), the rate-change history chart, and the country-by-country breakdown (including Section 301/232 add-on duties).
Why you have to click in: a single category can contain products with very different duties. The rate depends on the specific product — its material and construction — and on the country of origin, and those only get pinned down at the 8-digit code level. That is why this page points you to codes instead of showing one rate for the whole category.
Product codes & duty rates
👇 Each row is a specific product code — click a blue code to open its full page with exact duty rates by country, the rate-history chart, and a duty calculator. 👉
| Code | Description | General (MFN) | Special | Column 2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7203.10.00.00 👉 | Ferrous products obtained by direct reduction of iron ore | Free | — | $2.21/t |
| 7203.90.00.00 👉 | Other | Free | — | $2.21/t |
"Special" shows the free-trade-agreement rate; open a code to see exactly which countries qualify.
Common questions
What products fall under HTS heading 7203?
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. To classify a specific item you must pick the matching sub-category and 8-digit code above; the right choice usually depends on the material and construction of the product.
How do I choose the right code within this category?
Start from the sub-categories (typically divided by material—for example cotton versus man-made fibers), then open the active 8- or 10-digit code that matches the product. When unsure, a licensed customs broker or a CBP binding ruling can confirm the classification.
Reference information only, not customs, legal, or classification advice. Confirm the current code and rate against the official HTS before you import.