HS code · 6-digit subheading
HS Code 7202.49 – Ferro-alloys; ferro-chromium, containing by weight 4% or less of carbon
HS code 7202.49 is the 6-digit subheading for ferro-alloys, ferro-chromium, containing by weight 4% or less of carbon. It is used for low-carbon ferro-chromium lumps, medium-carbon ferro-chromium briquettes, ferro-chromium fines (low C), refined ferro-chromium and charge chrome (low C).
What HS 7202.49 covers
This HS code refers to ferro-chromium, an essential ferro-alloy used primarily in the production of stainless steel and other high-chromium alloys. Specifically, this sub-category covers ferro-chromium with a low carbon content (4% or less), often referred to as low-carbon ferro-chromium (LC FeCr) or medium-carbon ferro-chromium (MC FeCr). It's crucial for imparting corrosion resistance, hardness, and strength to steel, making it indispensable for applications ranging from kitchenware to industrial machinery. Major players in this trade are ferro-alloy producers and stainless steel manufacturers. The 'CBAM' tag signifies its inclusion in the EU's Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism, impacting trade costs and reporting requirements due to its energy-intensive production process, highlighting a growing focus on sustainable trade practices.
- Covers
- Low-carbon ferro-chromium lumps
- Medium-carbon ferro-chromium briquettes
- Ferro-chromium fines (low C)
- Refined ferro-chromium
- Charge chrome (low C)
- Chromium metal (alloyed)
- Examples
- Glencore (ferro-chrome production)
- Samancor Chrome
- Merafe Resources
- Outokumpu (stainless steel production)
- Acerinox (stainless steel production)
Codes often confused with 7202.49
Common mistake. This is for *low-carbon* ferro-chromium, differentiating it from high-carbon ferro-chromium (720241) or other ferro-alloys like ferro-manganese (720211).
Top exporters and importers of HS code 720249, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 720249 in UN Comtrade data was Kazakhstan, with 27% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was the United States, with 24% 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 Kazakhstan $164M 27% of world exports
- 2 Türkiye $84M 14% of world exports
- 3 India $68M 11% of world exports
World total: $602M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 United States $165M 24% of world imports
- 2 Saudi Arabia $64M 9.2% of world imports
- 3 South Korea $56M 8.0% of world imports
World total: $696M 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.
Brazil NCM code for 7202.49
Brazil does not split HS 7202.49: its NCM code is 7202.49.00.
All Brazil NCM codes in heading 72.02 →
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text is official; the English is our translation.
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 7202.49
What is HS code 720249?
HS code 720249 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Ferro-alloys; ferro-chromium, containing by weight 4% or less of carbon. This HS code refers to ferro-chromium, an essential ferro-alloy used primarily in the production of stainless steel and other high-chromium alloys. Specifically, this sub-category covers ferro-chromium with a low carbon content (4% or less), often referred to as low-carbon ferro-chromium (LC FeCr) or medium-carbon ferro-chromium (MC FeCr). It's crucial for imparting corrosion resistance, hardness, and strength to steel, making it indispensable for applications ranging from kitchenware to industrial machinery. Major players in this trade are ferro-alloy producers and stainless steel manufacturers. The 'CBAM' tag signifies its inclusion in the EU's Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism, impacting trade costs and reporting requirements due to its energy-intensive production process, highlighting a growing focus on sustainable trade practices.
What products fall under HS code 720249?
Low-carbon ferro-chromium lumps, Medium-carbon ferro-chromium briquettes, Ferro-chromium fines (low C), Refined ferro-chromium, Charge chrome (low C), Chromium metal (alloyed)
What are common misclassifications for HS code 720249?
This is for *low-carbon* ferro-chromium, differentiating it from high-carbon ferro-chromium (720241) or other ferro-alloys like ferro-manganese (720211).
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 720249?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 720249 in UN Comtrade data were Kazakhstan ($164M, 27% of world exports), Türkiye ($84M) and India ($68M). World exports came to about $602M, 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 720249?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 720249 in UN Comtrade data were the United States ($165M, 24% of world imports), Saudi Arabia ($64M) and South Korea ($56M). World imports came to about $696M, 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 720249 structured?
HS code 720249 is a 6-digit subheading under the Harmonized System. The first 2 digits (72) identify the chapter, digits 3-4 (02) identify the heading, and digits 5-6 (49) specify the subheading. This code is standardized globally by the World Customs Organization.
What is the Brazil NCM code for HS code 720249?
In Brazil, HS code 720249 is NCM 7202.49.00. The last two digits are 00 because Brazil does not split this HS code further.