7228.60 - Other bars and rods:

This HTS category, 7228.60, covers "Other bars and rods" of iron and steel, excluding those specifically classified elsewhere within heading 7228. The key differentiator here is that these bars and rods are not further worked than hot-rolled, hot-drawn, or extruded. This means the shaping process is completed while the steel is at elevated temperatures, resulting in a surface finish and dimensional tolerances that reflect this.

To distinguish this category from its siblings, consider the processing and material. For instance, sibling categories like 7228.10.00 specifically address high-speed steel, and 7228.20 pertains to silico-manganese steel. Other siblings differentiate based on post-hot-working processes, such as forging (7228.40.00.00) or cold-forming/finishing (7228.50). Therefore, 7228.60 is for those bars and rods that are primarily shaped through hot mechanical deformation and do not fall into the more specialized material or secondary processing classifications within 7228.

Within 7228.60, two subcategories exist: 7228.60.10 for bars and rods of tool steel (excluding high-speed steel) and a residual "Other" category. This subdivision allows for a more granular classification of hot-worked bars and rods based on their intended application or specific alloy composition, further refining the scope beyond the general hot-working criteria.