If you import or export steel sheet metal parts, one of the first things you will be asked for is the correct HS code. It decides the duties you pay, how customs clears your shipment, and how your products are recorded in trade statistics. For most steel sheet metal parts, the answer starts with HS code 7326, but the exact code depends on how the part is made and where it is used. This guide explains the codes that apply to steel stamped and fabricated parts so you can classify your order correctly the first time.

What Is an HS Code?

The Harmonized System (HS) is an international classification of goods maintained by the World Customs Organization. Every product that crosses a border is assigned a six-digit code under the WCO framework, and individual countries extend it with additional digits for their own tariff and duty schedules. The code is built in layers: the first two digits identify the chapter, the next two the heading, and the final two the subheading. Because steel sheet metal parts span many industries, knowing where they sit in the system is the key to finding the right code.

The Main HS Code for Sheet Metal Parts of Steel: 7326

Steel sheet metal parts that have been stamped, cut, bent, or formed generally fall under Chapter 73, Articles of iron or steel. The heading that covers most of these parts is 7326, Other articles of iron or steel. Within it, the subheading 7326.90 is the one most commonly used for generic stamped steel parts, brackets, housings, and custom shapes that do not belong to a more specific machine or product heading. If a part is simply forged or stamped and not worked further, it may instead fall under 7326.11 or 7326.19.

In practice, a wide range of steel brackets, mounting plates, covers, and structural stampings are classified under 7326.90. This is the code a customs broker will likely apply when a steel fabricated part has no dedicated heading elsewhere. Because the code is broad, it is important to confirm the exact position with the tariff schedule of the destination country before shipping.

When Automotive Parts Use a Different Code: 8708

Not every steel sheet metal part belongs in Chapter 73. If the part is specifically a component of a motor vehicle body, the more specific heading 8708, Parts and accessories of motor vehicles, usually takes priority. Its subheading 8708.29 covers other parts and accessories of bodies for motor vehicles, which includes stamped body-in-white parts, door panels, seat frames, and dashboard structural components. Since DIAN STAMPING builds dies and stamps parts for body-in-white, door, seating, instrument panel, fuel-tank, exhaust, clutch, and chassis systems, many of its automotive components are classified here rather than under 7326.

Why the Correct HS Code Matters

Choosing the right code affects the duty rate you pay, whether your shipment qualifies for preferential tariff treatment, and how quickly customs processes it. A wrong code can lead to underpaid or overpaid duties, clearance delays, and even penalties in some jurisdictions. It also affects the trade data that importers and exporters rely on when planning sourcing. For companies that outsource stamping to a factory, confirming the HS code with the supplier before production helps avoid surprises at the border.

How DIAN STAMPING Helps with Sheet Metal Parts

DIAN STAMPING is a China-based factory in Zhejiang Province with more than 20 years of experience in automotive stamping dies and stamped sheet metal parts. It supplies OEMs and Tier suppliers including KIA, BYD, Toyota, Honda, Suzuki, and Geely, and exports to more than 10 countries. The facility spans about 50,000 m² and runs an ISO 9001 quality system, with customization available from 2D drawings, 3D data, or physical samples and typical die delivery of 30 to 40 days for steel stamping dies.

Whether you need custom sheet metal parts for a new vehicle program or repeat production of an existing bracket, the factory manages the full flow from die design to stamping, welding, and checking fixtures. When you request a quote, you can also confirm the correct HS code for sheet metal parts with the team, so your shipment clears customs without delays. As a factory rather than a trading intermediary, the company also offers factory pricing that makes large-volume programs more predictable.

Final Checklist for Classifying Steel Sheet Metal Parts

1. Confirm the material is steel before classification, since aluminum and other metals fall under different chapters.
2. Check whether the part is a specific component of a motor vehicle to see if 8708 applies over 7326.
3. Use 7326.90 as the common default for generic stamped brackets, housings, and custom shapes.
4. Verify the exact country-level code and duty rate with the destination tariff schedule.
5. Ask your supplier or a customs broker to confirm the code before you ship.

Getting the HS code right is a small step that avoids large problems at the border. By classifying steel sheet metal parts under 7326 or, for automotive body components, under 8708, you keep shipments moving and costs predictable. If you are sourcing stamped parts, speak with an experienced sheet metal parts supplier about both the parts and the paperwork that ships with them.