7304.11.00 - Of stainless steel

This HTS category, 7304.11.00, specifically covers seamless tubes, pipes, and hollow profiles made of stainless steel that are designed for use in oil or gas pipelines. The "of stainless steel" designation is a critical material qualifier, distinguishing these articles from those made of other types of iron or steel.

This category is a sub-classification of "Line pipe of a kind used for oil or gas pipelines." It differs from its sibling category, 7304.19, which encompasses "Other" line pipes, implying that 7304.11.00 represents a specific subset of line pipes based on material.

The subcategories within 7304.11.00 further refine the classification based on a key physical characteristic: the outside diameter. These subdivisions are 7304.11.00.20 (not exceeding 114.3 mm), 7304.11.00.50 (exceeding 114.3 mm but not exceeding 406.4 mm), and 7304.11.00.80 (exceeding 406.4 mm). This differentiation is crucial for import and export purposes, often related to regulatory requirements or specific industry standards for different pipeline applications.