The importer declared 13,726 kg across 10 batches under HS 7505.22.0000 (6% duty). Customs reclassified it to HS 7505.12.0000 (16% duty for U.S. origin). The difference? Not the metal. The form.

HS 7505.22 covers coiled wire. HS 7505.12 covers bars, rods and ultra-fine profiles. The goods were 0.093″ and 0.156″ straight-section alloy nickel — profile, not wire. That 10-percentage-point swing turned a routine import into a ¥5.38M valuation case, plus a ¥118,000 administrative fine.

At Xinhai, we’re seeing more post-clearance audits on strategic metals — nickel, cobalt, lithium and rare earths. China Customs is using the 3-year lookback window. Product names don’t decide HS codes; specifications, processing and cross-section dimensions do.

If you’re importing nickel alloys, precision metals or battery materials into China, pre-classification review is no longer optional — it’s risk management.

Contact: yuanbo@thecustoms.com.cn

Comment ‘guide’ and we’ll send you a pre-classification checklist for strategic metals.

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