7304.23.60 - Of alloy steel

This HTS category, 7304.23.60, specifically classifies drill pipe made of alloy steel, intended for use in the drilling of oil or gas wells. These are seamless tubes or pipes with hollow profiles, distinguished by their material composition. The "of alloy steel" designation is crucial, indicating that the steel contains intentionally added elements beyond iron and carbon, such as chromium, nickel, molybdenum, or vanadium, to enhance properties like strength, toughness, or corrosion resistance.

This category is distinct from its sibling, 7304.23.30, which covers drill pipe of iron or non-alloy steel. The primary differentiator is the metallurgical composition. While both serve the same function as drill pipe in oil and gas exploration, this category is reserved for those manufactured with specific alloy compositions designed to withstand more demanding downhole conditions, such as higher pressures, temperatures, or corrosive environments encountered during drilling operations.

Within this classification, further distinctions are made based on physical dimensions. The subcategory 7304.23.60.60 identifies drill pipe of alloy steel having an outside diameter exceeding 168.3 mm. This finer level of detail allows for more precise classification based on the specific size requirements of different drilling applications, enabling importers and exporters to accurately declare their goods for customs purposes.