7222.40 - Angles, shapes and sections:

This HTS category, 7222.40, specifically covers angles, shapes, and sections manufactured from stainless steel. These are essentially structural components with specific cross-sectional profiles, distinct from simple bars or rods. Unlike products that are primarily characterized by their length and uniform cross-section (like bars and rods), these items are designed to fit together or provide structural integrity in various applications.

Within the broader classification of "Other bars and rods of stainless steel; angles, shapes and sections of stainless steel" (7222), this subcategory focuses exclusively on the non-bar/rod forms. It differentiates itself from the sibling categories which are dedicated to bars and rods of stainless steel, whether they are hot-rolled, hot-drawn, extruded, or cold-formed and cold-finished. Therefore, if an item is a stainless steel angle, shape, or section, it will fall under 7222.40, not the other 7222 subheadings.

The subcategories under 7222.40 further refine the classification based on the manufacturing process and subsequent treatments. 7222.40.30 is designated for those angles, shapes, and sections that have undergone hot-rolling but have not been further worked by drilling, punching, or any other advanced modification. The residual category, 7222.40.60.00, then captures all other stainless steel angles, shapes, and sections that do not meet the specific criteria of the preceding subheading, encompassing those that have been further processed or manufactured by other means.