7213.20.00.10 - Containing by weight 0.1 percent or more of lead

This HTS category, 7213.20.00.10, specifically classifies hot-rolled bars and rods of iron or nonalloy steel, wound into irregular coils, that are made of free-cutting steel and contain by weight 0.1 percent or more of lead. Free-cutting steel is characterized by its enhanced machinability, often achieved through the addition of alloying elements such as sulfur, lead, or bismuth. The presence of at least 0.1% lead is the defining material characteristic for goods falling under this specific classification.

This classification is distinguished from its sibling category, 7213.20.00.80, which covers "Other" free-cutting steel bars and rods in irregularly wound coils. The crucial differentiating factor between these two classifications is the presence and quantity of lead. While 7213.20.00.80 would encompass free-cutting steel with other machinability-enhancing elements or lead content below 0.1%, this category is reserved for those with a specific lead content of 0.1% or more by weight.

As this is a leaf node within the HTS, there are no further subcategories to introduce. Classification at this level is definitive based on the material composition (specifically, lead content of 0.1% or more) and the form (hot-rolled bars and rods in irregularly wound coils of free-cutting steel). Importers and exporters should carefully review the chemical composition of their goods to ensure accurate classification, as the lead content is the sole criterion differentiating this specific sub-heading.