7209.18.15 - Of high-strength steel

This HTS category, "Of high-strength steel," specifically classifies flat-rolled products of iron or non-alloy steel that meet stringent tensile strength requirements. These materials have undergone cold-rolling (cold-reduction) to achieve their final form and are presented in coils, without any further working beyond this cold-rolling process. Crucially, they are not clad, plated, or coated in any manner. The defining characteristic here is the inherent high-strength property of the steel itself.

Within the broader group of cold-rolled flat-rolled products of iron or non-alloy steel in coils and of a thickness less than 0.5 mm, this subcategory differentiates itself by focusing solely on the material's enhanced strength. It distinguishes itself from the "Other" sibling category by the presence of this specific high-strength characteristic, which may be achieved through alloying elements or specific heat treatments during or after the cold-rolling process.

The subcategories under this heading further refine the classification based on subsequent treatments applied after the initial cold-rolling and characterization as high-strength steel. "Annealed" products have undergone a heat treatment process to soften and improve their ductility, while the "Other" subcategory captures any high-strength cold-rolled products that do not fit the annealed description, encompassing a range of potential finished or semi-finished states.