7203.10.00.00 - Ferrous products obtained by direct reduction of iron ore

This HTS category, 7203.10.00.00, specifically covers ferrous products that have undergone direct reduction of iron ore. These products are characterized by their porous structure, commonly referred to as "spongy iron," and are typically presented in physical forms such as lumps, pellets, or similar granular shapes. The direct reduction process bypasses the traditional blast furnace method, yielding iron with a high degree of purity without the inclusion of significant slag.

Within Chapter 72, this subheading is distinct from its sibling, 7203.90.00.00, which accounts for "Other" ferrous products in similar forms that do not meet the specific criteria for direct reduction or the minimum purity requirements. The key differentiator here is the method of production (direct reduction) and, implicitly, the resulting material characteristics prior to further steelmaking or alloying. This category encompasses the intermediate product of direct reduction, ready for subsequent processing into steel or other ferrous articles. As this is a leaf node, there are no further subdivisions; the focus is on the accurate identification and classification of these specific direct-reduced iron products.