7201 - Pig iron and spiegeleisen in pigs, blocks or other primary forms:

HTS Code 7201 encompasses pig iron and spiegeleisen in their primary forms, such as pigs, blocks, or ingots. Pig iron is the direct product of smelting iron ore in a blast furnace, containing a high carbon content and often significant amounts of silicon and manganese. Spiegeleisen is a particular type of pig iron that also contains manganese and is used in the production of steel. These materials represent the initial crude forms of iron and steel before further processing.

Distinguishing this category from its siblings at the HTS root level is straightforward, as 7201 falls within Section XV (Base Metals and Articles of Base Metal) and specifically Chapter 72 (Iron and Steel). The sibling categories at the root level, such as live animals (Chapters 01), are entirely different classes of goods governed by different sections of the HTS. Therefore, 7201 is uniquely positioned as the entry point for basic iron and steel commodities.

Within HTS Code 7201, further subdivisions are made based on the chemical composition of the pig iron and spiegeleisen. The subcategories differentiate between nonalloy pig iron based on its phosphorus content, categorizing it as either containing 0.5 percent or less phosphorus or more than 0.5 percent phosphorus. A separate subcategory addresses alloy pig iron and spiegeleisen, recognizing the distinct properties and applications that arise from the addition of alloying elements. These distinctions are crucial for accurate tariff assessment and trade monitoring.