HS code · 4-digit heading
HS Code 72.02 – Ferro-alloys
What HS 72.02 covers
Heading 7202 covers ferro-alloys, which are master alloys of iron with one or more other elements, used as deoxidizers, desulfurizers, or as alloying agents in the production of various types of steel and cast iron. These alloys are critical for imparting specific properties like strength, hardness, corrosion resistance, and ductility to the final metal product. The scope is broad, encompassing various ferro-alloys such as ferro-manganese, ferro-silicon, ferro-chrome, ferro-nickel, ferro-titanium, and ferro-vanadium, among others. The defining characteristic is their high concentration of the alloying element, making them distinct from pig iron (7201) and other iron products. Accurate classification under 7202 is vital for trade compliance, as ferro-alloys are often subject to specific tariffs, quotas, and trade defense measures due to their strategic importance in the steel industry. Misclassification can lead to significant financial penalties and supply chain disruptions. This heading is fundamental to Chapter 72, representing a crucial input material that transforms basic iron into specialized steels, highlighting the metallurgical sophistication required in modern manufacturing. The global trade in ferro-alloys reflects the diverse demands of the automotive, construction, energy, and machinery sectors for advanced metallic materials.
- Covers
- Ferro-manganese
- Ferro-silicon
- Ferro-chrome
- Ferro-nickel
- Ferro-molybdenum
- Ferro-titanium
- Ferro-vanadium
- Ferro-tungsten
- Ferro-niobium
- Ferro-boron
- Ferro-phosphorus
- Ferro-silico-manganese
- Ferro-silico-chromium
- Ferro-magnesium
- Nitrogen-bearing ferro-chrome
- High-carbon ferro-chrome
- Low-carbon ferro-chrome
- Medium-carbon ferro-manganese
- High-purity ferro-silicon
- Silicon metal (if alloyed with iron)
- Ferro-aluminum
- Ferro-zirconium
- Ferro-selenium
- Ferro-tellurium
- Ferro-calcium-silicon
- Examples
A major stainless steel producer in South Korea imports high-carbon ferro-chrome from South Africa to ensure the desired chromium content and corrosion resistance in its specialized steel grades, with shipments typically via bulk carriers. Simultaneously, a foundry in the USA purchases ferro-silicon from China for use as a deoxidizer and graphitizer in its cast iron production, with orders often arriving in containers at West Coast ports. In another instance, an aerospace materials company in France sources ferro-titanium from Kazakhstan to produce high-strength, lightweight alloys for aircraft components, requiring stringent quality certifications and specialized logistics for these critical materials.
Subheadings under 72.02 15
Codes often confused with 72.02
Common mistake. A common classification error for 7202 involves confusing ferro-alloys with pig iron (7201) or even pure metals (Chapter 81). For example, a high-manganese pig iron might be mistakenly classified as ferro-manganese, but the defining characteristic for 7202 is a much higher percentage of the alloying element (e.g., typically >30% Mn for ferro-manganese) compared to pig iron. Conversely, pure silicon metal (2804) or pure chromium (8112) might be incorrectly classified as ferro-silicon or ferro-chrome if the iron content is overlooked. The presence of iron as a primary component, along with the specific alloying element concentrations, are key differentiators for ferro-alloys.
Top exporters and importers of HS code 7202, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 7202 in UN Comtrade data was Indonesia, with 41% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was China, with 52% of world imports. Countries that did not report 2025 data are estimated from partner records, which can understate them.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 Indonesia $16.5B 41% of world exports
- 2 Brazil $4.1B 10% of world exports
- 3 India $2.7B 6.8% of world exports
World total: $40.1B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 China $21.1B 52% of world imports
- 2 United States $2.6B 6.3% of world imports
- 3 Japan $2.0B 5.0% of world imports
World total: $40.9B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
How these figures are built
109 countries reported 2025 trade to UN Comtrade in HS 2022, and their own totals are used. Countries that did not report are estimated from what other countries recorded trading with them. Those estimates miss trade with other non-reporting countries, so they can be low, and a non-reporting country can rank higher than shown or be missing from the list. World totals add both and leave out trade between two non-reporting countries. Figures are in current US dollars; reported imports are mostly valued CIF and exports FOB, and exports include re-exports. The UN Comtrade links show the underlying records; they can also list a few reporters left out here (regional groups and older HS editions).
Source: UN Comtrade (United Nations Statistics Division), 2025 annual data.
EU Regulatory Requirements
This product falls under the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM). Importers to the EU must declare embedded carbon emissions and purchase CBAM certificates.
Questions about HS 72.02
What is HS code 7202?
HS code 7202 is a 4-digit heading in the Harmonized System that covers: Ferro-alloys. Heading 7202 covers ferro-alloys, which are master alloys of iron with one or more other elements, used as deoxidizers, desulfurizers, or as alloying agents in the production of various types of steel and cast iron. These alloys are critical for imparting specific properties like strength, hardness, corrosion resistance, and ductility to the final metal product. The scope is broad, encompassing various ferro-alloys such as ferro-manganese, ferro-silicon, ferro-chrome, ferro-nickel, ferro-titanium, and ferro-vanadium, among others. The defining characteristic is their high concentration of the alloying element, making them distinct from pig iron (7201) and other iron products. Accurate classification under 7202 is vital for trade compliance, as ferro-alloys are often subject to specific tariffs, quotas, and trade defense measures due to their strategic importance in the steel industry. Misclassification can lead to significant financial penalties and supply chain disruptions. This heading is fundamental to Chapter 72, representing a crucial input material that transforms basic iron into specialized steels, highlighting the metallurgical sophistication required in modern manufacturing. The global trade in ferro-alloys reflects the diverse demands of the automotive, construction, energy, and machinery sectors for advanced metallic materials.
What products fall under HS code 7202?
Ferro-manganese, Ferro-silicon, Ferro-chrome, Ferro-nickel, Ferro-molybdenum, Ferro-titanium, Ferro-vanadium, Ferro-tungsten, Ferro-niobium, Ferro-boron, Ferro-phosphorus, Ferro-silico-manganese, Ferro-silico-chromium, Ferro-magnesium, Nitrogen-bearing ferro-chrome, High-carbon ferro-chrome, Low-carbon ferro-chrome, Medium-carbon ferro-manganese, High-purity ferro-silicon, Silicon metal (if alloyed with iron), Ferro-aluminum, Ferro-zirconium, Ferro-selenium, Ferro-tellurium, Ferro-calcium-silicon
What are common misclassifications for HS code 7202?
A common classification error for 7202 involves confusing ferro-alloys with pig iron (7201) or even pure metals (Chapter 81). For example, a high-manganese pig iron might be mistakenly classified as ferro-manganese, but the defining characteristic for 7202 is a much higher percentage of the alloying element (e.g., typically >30% Mn for ferro-manganese) compared to pig iron. Conversely, pure silicon metal (2804) or pure chromium (8112) might be incorrectly classified as ferro-silicon or ferro-chrome if the iron content is overlooked. The presence of iron as a primary component, along with the specific alloying element concentrations, are key differentiators for ferro-alloys.
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 7202?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 7202 in UN Comtrade data were Indonesia ($16.5B, 41% of world exports), Brazil ($4.1B) and India ($2.7B). World exports came to about $40.1B, adding countries' reported figures and partner-based estimates for those that did not report (UN Comtrade data). Countries that did not report 2025 data are estimated from partner records, which can understate them.
Which countries are the top importers of goods under HS code 7202?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 7202 in UN Comtrade data were China ($21.1B, 52% of world imports), the United States ($2.6B) and Japan ($2.0B). World imports came to about $40.9B, adding countries' reported figures and partner-based estimates for those that did not report (UN Comtrade data). Countries that did not report 2025 data are estimated from partner records, which can understate them.
How is HS code 7202 structured?
HS code 7202 is a 4-digit heading under Chapter 72 of the Harmonized System. The first 2 digits (72) identify the chapter, and digits 3-4 (02) specify the heading. This code contains multiple 6-digit subheadings for precise product classification.