7304.22.00 - Drill pipe of stainless steel

This HTS category, 7304.22.00, specifically classifies drill pipe made from stainless steel, designed for use in drilling operations for oil and gas extraction. This designation requires the articles to be tubes or pipes with a hollow profile, manufactured seamlessly from iron or steel, and primarily constructed of stainless steel. The intended application in oil and gas drilling is a critical defining characteristic for items falling under this heading.

Distinguishing this category from its siblings, 7304.23 covers other types of drill pipe not made of stainless steel, while 7304.24 pertains to other seamless stainless steel tubes, pipes, and hollow profiles not specifically designated as drill pipe. Category 7304.29 encompasses all other seamless pipes and tubes not falling into the preceding classifications. Therefore, 7304.22.00 is narrowly focused on stainless steel drill pipe for oil and gas drilling.

Within this classification, further subdivision is based on the physical dimension of the pipe. Subcategories are established to differentiate between drill pipe based on its outside diameter, specifically whether it does not exceed 168.3 mm or exceeds this measurement. This distinction is important for trade and regulatory purposes, often reflecting different functional requirements or market segments within the oil and gas industry.