9903.81.03—Section 232 Steel Exclusion
Overlay rate
Free
Stacks on top of the base HTSUS rate of the product
Tandom · Duty calculator
See this overlay in a real duty stack
Pick a covered 10-digit code below, plug in country and invoice value, and Tandom will compute the full landed cost with this overlay stacked on the base rate.
Plain-English explanation
HTS 9903.81.03 is a Chapter 99 steel derivative tariff modification under Section 232 Steel Exclusion. When a base 10-digit code falls within this provision's scope, it imposes free on top of the underlying base duty. It applies universally to imports from every country, except as carved out by parallel provisions or country-specific exclusions. It expired on 2026-04-05 and is no longer enforced for new entries. It currently covers 17 base HTS codes in Tandom's catalog.
Rate stack at entry
Description
Authoritative scope text from the U.S. Harmonized Tariff Schedule
Flat-rolled products of stainless steel (provided for in subheading 7219.21.00, 7219.22.00, 7219.31.00 (except for statistical reporting number 7219.31.0010) or 7220.11.00)
How to use this provision
When and how this overlay shows up at entry
Chapter 99 provision 9903.81.03 is a tariff modification — it doesn't classify a product on its own. When a base 10-digit HTS code falls within this provision's scope and a shipment matches the country and date conditions, the broker declares the base code at entry, then references 9903.81.03 on a separate line so its rate stacks on top.
Worked example
How this overlay applies to a real covered code
Imagine an importer files a $10,000.00 shipment of 7219.21.00.05 (of high-nickel alloy steel) from a country in scope. The overlay rate of Free stacks on top of the base HTSUS rate of Free.
The base rate or overlay rate isn't a clean ad-valorem percentage, so the math stays narrative here. Use the calculator for a precise stack.
Opens the Tandom calculator with HTS 7219.21.00.05 and $10,000.00 pre-filled — add a country to compute the full landed cost.
Target countries
Applies universally to imports from all countries
All countries
Affected base HTS codes(17)
Every covered 10-digit code this overlay stacks on.
7219.21.00.05Of high-nickel alloy steelFree7219.21.00.20Of a width not exceeding 1575 mmFree7219.21.00.40Of a width exceeding 1575 mm but not exceeding 1880 mmFree7219.21.00.60Of a width exceeding 1880 mmFree7219.22.00.05Of high-nickel alloy steelFree7219.22.00.15Of a width not exceeding 1575 mmFreeRelated Chapter 99 codes(24)
Other Section 232 Steel Exclusion provisions in Tandom's catalog
9903.40.05Radial tires of a kind used on motor cars (other than racing cars), station wagons, sport utility vehicles, vans and on-the-highway light trucks (provided for in subheading 4011.10.10 or 4011.20.10)9903.40.10Other tires of a kind used on motor cars (other than racing cars), station wagons, sport utility vehicles, vans and on-the-highway light trucks (provided for in subheading 4011.10.50 or 4011.20.50)9903.74.01Medium- and heavy-duty vehicles as provided for in subdivision (b) of U.S. note 38 to this subchapter.9903.74.02Buses and other vehicles classified in HTSUS heading 8702 as provided for in subdivision (c) of U.S. note 38 to this subchapter.9903.74.03Medium- and heavy-duty vehicles, as provided for in subdivision (d) of U.S. note 38 to this subchapter.Frequently asked questions
What is HTS 9903.81.03?
HTS 9903.81.03 is a Chapter 99 tariff modification under Section 232 Steel Exclusion. It is not a product classification — it's an overlay code that stacks on top of a base 10-digit HTS code at entry. Scope text: Flat-rolled products of stainless steel (provided for in subheading 7219.21.00, 7219.22.00, 7219.31.00 (except for statistical reporting number 7219.31.0010) or 7220.11.00)
What rate does HTS 9903.81.03 apply?
The provision states: "Free" That rate stacks on top of whatever the base HTSUS rate is for the underlying 10-digit code. Use the Tandom calculator to compute the full landed cost for any covered product.
Which countries does HTS 9903.81.03 apply to?
9903.81.03 applies universally to imports from all countries, except as carved out by parallel Chapter 99 provisions or country-specific exclusions referenced in the scope text.
Is HTS 9903.81.03 currently active?
Source
Authoritative citation that established this provision
;proc11021-supersede-2026-04-21
Learn more
Tandom guides relevant to this code
How Chapter 99 tariff layers stack on a single entry
How to read, order, and report Chapter 99 HTS codes alongside the base classification on a US entry summary in 2026. The full stacking ladder for brokers and compliance teams.
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How to calculate US import duties
A working guide to the inputs, the layers, and the math behind a US entry summary in 2026. Written for brokers, forwarders, and importer compliance teams.
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