Hot-Rolled Flat Iron or Nonalloy Steel — Wide Coils with Patterns in Relief

Pickling removes the mill scale oxide layer formed during hot rolling, producing a cleaner surface. Within 7208.10, the US schedule distinguishes pickled coils (7208101500) from non-pickled coils (7208102500 and the thickness-based lines). The pickling status affects downstream processing — pickled coils are typically ready for cold-rolling or direct fabrication — and must be accurately declared at entry based on the supplier's processing documentation.

The nominal thickness declared on the mill certificate governs classification. For coils near the 4.75 mm boundary, importers should request the actual measured thickness range from the mill, as hot-rolling tolerances can place a nominally 4.75 mm product above or below the threshold depending on the measurement point. Retaining the mill certificate and any thickness survey data is advisable in case of a CBP inquiry.