7201.20.00.00 - Nonalloy pig iron containing by weight more than 0.5 percent of phosphorus

This HTS category, 7201.20.00.00, specifically covers nonalloy pig iron that contains a significant amount of phosphorus, defined as more than 0.5 percent by weight. Pig iron is a primary iron product, typically produced by smelting iron ore in a blast furnace. It is characterized by its high carbon content (usually 3.5-4.5%) and significant amounts of impurities, including phosphorus, sulfur, silicon, and manganese, making it brittle and unsuitable for direct use in most applications. This specific classification isolates pig iron based on its elevated phosphorus content, indicating a particular metallurgical composition.

Distinguishing this classification from its sibling, 7201.10.00.00, is crucial for accurate duty assessment. While both fall under nonalloy pig iron, the key differentiator lies solely in the phosphorus content. Category 7201.10.00.00 applies to nonalloy pig iron with phosphorus levels at or below 0.5 percent by weight. Therefore, an importer or exporter must meticulously analyze the phosphorus percentage to ensure correct classification, as this threshold dictates whether the material falls into the "more than 0.5 percent" or "0.5 percent or less" group.

As this classification represents a leaf node within the HTS, there are no further subcategories to introduce. The focus for classification within 7201.20.00.00 is therefore entirely on the confirmed presence of nonalloy pig iron with a phosphorus content exceeding the specified 0.5 percent threshold. Practical examples would include various grades of pig iron intended for specific steelmaking processes where higher phosphorus content is a defining characteristic or a necessary component for a particular alloy's subsequent production.