HS Code for Bolts

Bolts and their companion fasteners of iron or steel are classified in chapter 73 of the HTSUS, at heading 7318, which gathers threaded and non-threaded fasteners into one place. Bolts point toward subheading 7318.15, where they have their own lines (7318.15.20, including bolts entered together with their nuts or washers), studs and threaded rod point toward 7318.15.50, nuts toward 7318.16, and washers toward 7318.21 and 7318.22. Most of these lines carry a general rate of Free, with helical spring lock washers around 5.8%. Identifying whether the fastener is a bolt, a stud, a nut or a washer is the first step in exploring the most appropriate line.

Bolts and their companion fasteners of iron or steel point toward heading 7318 of the HTSUS, within chapter 73 (articles of iron or steel). The heading is a dedicated provision for screws, bolts, nuts, coach screws, screw hooks, rivets, cotters, cotter pins, washers and similar fasteners, so it is a useful starting point for a metal fastener rather than reaching for a broader articles-of-steel line.

The first branch is between threaded and non-threaded articles. Threaded screws and bolts point toward subheading 7318.15, and nuts point toward 7318.16. Non-threaded articles are grouped separately: spring washers and other lock washers point toward 7318.21, other washers toward 7318.22, and rivets, cotters and pins toward the following subheadings.

Within 7318.15, bolts are separated from screws. Bolts, including bolts entered or exported in the same shipment as their nuts or washers, point toward 7318.15.20, which splits by diameter (under 6 mm, or 6 mm or more) and then by type, such as structural bolts. Studs and continuously threaded rod point toward 7318.15.50, split by stainless steel, alloy steel and other steel. Machine screws, socket screws and set screws sit on their own lines in the same subheading and are covered on the screw page.

A practical way to approach it is to identify first whether the article is a bolt, a stud or threaded rod, a nut, or a washer, and then confirm the diameter, type and material. That sequence usually points toward a single most-appropriate statistical line to explore. Because heading 7318 provides for these fasteners specifically, it is generally better to stay within it than to reach for the broad 'other articles of iron or steel' heading 7326, and fasteners of other metals (such as copper, aluminum or titanium) are provided for in their own metal chapters rather than heading 7318.

General duty rates for bolts and their companion fasteners are low. Bolts under 7318.15.20, studs and threaded rod under 7318.15.50, nuts under 7318.16 and plain washers under 7318.22 carry a general rate of Free, while helical spring lock washers sit around 5.8%. Screws on neighbouring lines of 7318.15 can carry rates up to about 8.5%, so confirming that the fastener is a bolt rather than a screw is worthwhile. Preferential rates under free trade agreements may reduce or eliminate these duties for qualifying origins. Note that the general (MFN) rate shown here is separate from any trade-remedy measures that can apply to steel fasteners. These figures are estimates for general planning purposes only.