Steel Coil HS Codes for PPGI, PPGL, GI, GL and VCM
The product name alone does not determine the code. For coated flat-rolled steel, customs classification starts with the steel composition, shipped width and surface treatment. Use the reference below to prepare your documents, then confirm the destination-country tariff code with your customs broker before declaration.
Common Steel Coil HS Codes at the 6-Digit Level
The table applies to flat-rolled iron or non-alloy steel. It separates painted material from bare metallic-coated material and assumes the dimensions shown are the dimensions at import.
| Product as Imported | Common HS | Why It Fits | When This Answer Changes |
|---|---|---|---|
| PPGIPrepainted galvanized steel, width ≥ 600 mm | 7210.70 | The imported product is painted, varnished or coated with plastics. | Width below 600 mm generally moves to 7212.40. Alloy or stainless substrates use different headings. |
| PPGLPrepainted Al-Zn-coated steel, width ≥ 600 mm | 7210.70 | The imported product is prepainted. At the six-digit level, the finished surface distinguishes it from unpainted GL. | Unpainted Al-Zn-coated steel is generally 7210.61. Width below 600 mm uses the 7212 heading. |
| GIHot-dip galvanized, unpainted, width ≥ 600 mm | 7210.49 | Otherwise plated or coated with zinc, not corrugated and without an organic topcoat. | Electro-galvanized material is 7210.30. Painted GI generally moves to 7210.70. |
| GL / GalvalumeAluminium-zinc-coated, unpainted, width ≥ 600 mm | 7210.61 | This subheading specifically covers material plated or coated with aluminium-zinc alloys. | Prepainted GL generally moves to 7210.70. Narrow strip uses the 7212 heading. |
| VCM laminated steelPVC- or PET-film-coated non-alloy steel, width ≥ 600 mm | 7210.70 | The WCO wording includes flat-rolled steel coated with plastics. | Confirm the substrate, shipped width and national extension. Stainless VCM does not use heading 7210. |
| Laminated stainless steelFilm-coated stainless coil or sheet | 7219 / 7220 | Stainless flat-rolled products use heading 7219 at ≥ 600 mm and 7220 below 600 mm. | The exact six-digit subheading depends on width, thickness and degree of working. There is no single code for every laminated stainless product. |
Do not copy a six-digit reference directly into an import declaration. Countries extend the WCO code with national tariff or statistical digits. The importer or licensed customs broker should confirm the complete code against the tariff schedule in force on the declaration date.
Reference basis: the WCO HS 2022 Chapter 72 nomenclature. The WCO defines the international HS at six digits; national authorities add further digits for local tariffs and statistics.
Check These Four Factors Before Choosing a Code
Start with the material as shipped, not the original master coil and not the supplier's general product name.
Steel Composition
Confirm whether the substrate is iron or non-alloy steel, stainless steel, or other alloy steel. This decides whether you start in 7210/7212, 7219/7220 or 7225/7226.
Width as Shipped
For coated non-alloy flat-rolled steel, 600 mm is the dividing line. Master coil at 1,219 mm and slit strip at 500 mm do not remain in the same heading.
Imported Surface
Distinguish bare zinc, bare aluminium-zinc, paint, varnish and polymer film. Classify the finished material presented to customs, not only its metallic substrate.
National Extension
Use the destination country's tariff schedule to complete the 8-, 10- or longer national code and check duties, trade remedies, licensing and statistical suffixes.
A painted non-alloy steel master coil shipped at 1,219 mm generally falls under 7210.70. If it is slit and imported at 500 mm, the six-digit reference generally changes to 7212.40. The width on the invoice and packing list should describe the product actually crossing the border.
HS Codes for Slit Coil and Strip Below 600 mm
Narrow coated non-alloy steel moves from heading 7210 to heading 7212. The surface treatment then determines the six-digit subheading.
| Material Below 600 mm Wide | Six-Digit Reference | WCO Description |
|---|---|---|
| Electrolytically zinc-coated strip | 7212.20 | Electrolytically plated or coated with zinc |
| Hot-dip galvanized strip, unpainted | 7212.30 | Otherwise plated or coated with zinc |
| Painted, varnished or plastic-coated strip | 7212.40 | Painted, varnished or coated with plastics |
| Other metallic-coated strip, including unpainted Al-Zn material | 7212.50 | Otherwise plated or coated; confirm the exact product and national treatment |
Why PPGI, PPGL, GI and GL Are Often Given Conflicting Codes
The Substrate Is Not the Whole Product
GI and PPGI share a zinc-coated substrate, but they are not presented to customs in the same condition. GI is metallic-coated and unpainted; PPGI has an organic topcoat. The same distinction applies to GL and PPGL.
- GI, unpainted: generally 7210.49 at ≥ 600 mm
- PPGI, painted: generally 7210.70 at ≥ 600 mm
- GL, unpainted: generally 7210.61 at ≥ 600 mm
- PPGL, painted: generally 7210.70 at ≥ 600 mm
Product Abbreviations Are Too Vague
“PPGI,” “VCM” or “steel coil” does not disclose enough information for a defensible classification. The broker needs the actual construction and dimensions.
- Substrate and grade: for example DX51D+Z or stainless 304
- Metallic coating: Z120 or AZ150
- Organic surface: PE paint or PVC/PET film
- Dimensions: thickness and width as imported
- Supply form: coil, slit coil or cut sheet
What to Give Your Customs Broker
A code without matching technical evidence is weak. Send the broker a document set that describes the same product consistently.
Classification Data
- Steel composition, substrate designation and grade
- Metallic coating type and coating weight
- Paint system or polymer-film type and thickness
- Finished thickness and width as shipped
- Coil, slit coil or cut-to-length sheet form
- Destination country and intended import date
Supporting Documents
- Commercial invoice with a specific product description
- Packing list showing package form, width and weights
- Mill test certificate or agreed quality certificate
- Coating or film specification where the surface is not obvious
- Country-of-origin document when required by the order or import regime
- Binding ruling or written broker advice for disputed classifications
Use a specific invoice description. “Steel coil” is not enough to verify the heading. A useful description looks like this:
HS Code, HSN and National Tariff Codes Are Not Identical
The WCO Harmonized System ends at six digits. Importing countries extend those digits for their own tariff and statistical requirements.
| Term | Typical Level | How to Use It |
|---|---|---|
| HS code | 6 digits | International classification reference maintained through the WCO system. |
| HSN | National extension | Term commonly used in India. Confirm the full Indian tariff item with the importer or broker. |
| HTS / tariff code | Country-specific | National import code used to determine duties and other measures. The digits after the international six-digit root vary by country. |
For the structure of the system, see the WCO overview: What is the Harmonized System?
Steel Coil HS Code Questions
What is the HS code for PPGI or color-coated steel coil?
What is the HS code for PPGL?
What is the HS code for galvanized steel coil?
What is the HS code for unpainted galvalume coil?
Does slitting a coil below 600 mm change the HS code?
What is the HS code for VCM film-laminated steel?
Can Everesteel issue a binding HS-code decision?
Need the Product Data for Your Import Declaration?
Send the actual material specification and destination port. We will quote the material and provide the technical data your broker needs to review the classification.
Send Specification & Request a QuoteInclude These Details
- Substrate and grade
- Coating type / weight
- Paint or film system
- Thickness × shipped width
- Coil / strip / sheet
- Quantity and destination port