7218 - Stainless steel in ingots or other primary forms; semi-finished products of stainless steel:

This HTS category, 7218, encompasses stainless steel in its most basic forms, including ingots, other primary forms, and semi-finished products. Stainless steel, characterized by its inherent corrosion resistance due to the presence of chromium, is the defining material for items within this heading. This includes foundational shapes like ingots, blooms, billets, and slabs, which serve as the raw material for further manufacturing processes. Semi-finished products, also covered here, represent the initial stages of shaping stainless steel beyond its primary ingot form, intended for subsequent rolling, drawing, or forging.

It is crucial to distinguish this category from other base metal headings. While Section XV broadly covers base metals and their articles, Chapter 72 specifically focuses on iron and steel. Within Chapter 72, other headings may cover finished articles of stainless steel or different forms of iron and steel that do not meet the definition of stainless steel (i.e., lacking sufficient chromium content). For instance, common steel ingots or semi-finished products made from non-alloyed iron or steel would fall under different HTS headings within Chapter 72.

The subcategories under 7218 further refine the classification based on the specific form of the stainless steel. "Ingots and other primary forms" captures the initial solidified molten metal and rudimentary shapes, while the "Other" category would encompass a range of semi-finished products that have undergone some degree of initial processing but are not yet finished goods. This breakdown allows for precise accounting and tariff application based on the stage of manufacture and the specific form of the stainless steel material.