7205 - Granules and powders, of pig iron, spiegeleisen, iron or steel:

This HTS category, 7205, encompasses granules and powders derived from pig iron, spiegeleisen, and iron or steel. These materials are distinct from their bulk counterparts due to their reduced physical form, which makes them suitable for specific industrial applications such as alloying, powder metallurgy, or as components in other manufacturing processes. The classification hinges on the physical state of the iron or steel material as either granules or powders.

While the broader Chapter 72 covers a vast array of iron and steel products, category 7205 specifically isolates these finely divided forms. Unlike categories covering ingots, bars, rods, or structural shapes of iron and steel, the key differentiator here is the particulate nature of the material. This distinction is crucial for customs purposes as the handling, pricing, and potential uses of granular or powdered iron and steel differ significantly from their more solid forms.

Within HTS 7205, further subdivisions exist to specify the form of the material. These typically include "Granules" (7205.10.00.00) and "Powders," allowing for precise classification based on particle size and morphology. The inclusion of "II. IRON AND NONALLOY STEEL" indicates that this heading primarily applies to materials that do not contain significant alloying elements beyond those inherent in pig iron or standard iron and steel production.