7213.20.00 - Other, of free-cutting steel

This HTS category, 7213.20.00, specifically classifies bars and rods, hot-rolled and presented in irregularly wound coils, made of iron or non-alloy steel, that are designated as "free-cutting steel." Free-cutting steel is a type of steel alloyed with elements like sulfur, lead, or tellurium to improve its machinability, allowing for easier cutting and shaping during manufacturing processes. This characteristic is paramount for its classification under this specific subheading.

Distinction from its sibling category, 7213.10.00.00 (concrete reinforcing bars and rods), is crucial. While both fall under hot-rolled bars and rods in irregularly wound coils of iron or non-alloy steel, 7213.10.00.00 is exclusively for bars and rods designed and intended for use in concrete reinforcement. In contrast, 7213.20.00.00 focuses on the material composition and inherent properties of free-cutting steel, irrespective of its end-use application as reinforcement.

Within this category, further subdivisions exist to refine the classification based on the specific composition of the free-cutting steel. The subcategories 7213.20.00.10 and 7213.20.00.80 differentiate based on the presence and quantity of lead. 7213.20.00.10 applies to free-cutting steel containing 0.1 percent or more of lead by weight, recognizing lead's significant role in enhancing machinability. 7213.20.00.80 encompasses all other free-cutting steels that do not meet this specific lead content criterion, ensuring comprehensive coverage of this material type.