7228.30 - Of tool steel (other than high-speed steel):

This HTS category, 7228.30, specifically covers bars and rods of other alloy steel that are not further worked than hot-rolled, hot-drawn, or extruded, and are made from tool steel, excluding high-speed steel. This designation signifies that the material possesses properties suitable for tools, such as increased hardness, wear resistance, or toughness, achieved through alloying elements beyond basic carbon steel. The "other alloy steel" aspect means these steels contain specific alloying elements like chromium, molybdenum, vanadium, or tungsten in quantities sufficient to impart distinct properties, but do not meet the criteria for high-speed steel.

It is important to distinguish this category from its sibling, 7228.30.80, which is designated as "Other." While this parent category is for tool steel, the "Other" sibling would likely encompass bars and rods of other alloy steels that do not fall under the specific subcategories of tool steel, ball-bearing steel, or chipper knife steel, or any other defined alloy steel types within this broader heading. Therefore, 7228.30 focuses on a specialized subset of alloy steel bars and rods used for tooling purposes.

Within this category, further subclassification exists to provide greater specificity. Subcategory 7228.30.20.00 pertains to bars and rods made of ball-bearing steel, a specific type of alloy steel engineered for high precision and load-bearing applications. Additionally, 7228.30.40.00 covers chipper knife steel that has not been cold-formed, indicating a particular alloy composition and initial processing method. The remaining subcategory, 7228.30.60.00, is for "Other" tool steel bars and rods, meaning it captures types of tool steel not otherwise specified in the preceding subcategories.