HS code · 6-digit subheading
HS Code 7203.10 – Ferrous products; obtained by direct reduction of iron ore, in lumps, pellets or similar forms
HS code 7203.10 is the 6-digit subheading for ferrous products, obtained by direct reduction of iron ore, in lumps, pellets or similar forms. It is used for hot Briquetted Iron (HBI), cold Briquetted Iron (CBI), DRI pellets, DRI lumps and sponge iron.
What HS 7203.10 covers
Ferrous products obtained by direct reduction of iron ore, in lumps, pellets or similar forms, commonly known as Direct Reduced Iron (DRI) or sponge iron, fall under HS code 720310. This product is a crucial metallic raw material for electric arc furnaces (EAFs), serving as an alternative to scrap or pig iron. Its production is often more environmentally friendly than traditional blast furnace methods, making it attractive for 'green steel' initiatives. Major importers are steel-producing nations with a high proportion of EAFs, such as the USA, EU countries, and India. Exporters typically include countries with abundant natural gas reserves, which is often used as a reductant, like Russia, Venezuela, and Trinidad & Tobago. The trade is influenced by steel demand, scrap prices, and energy costs.
- Covers
- Hot Briquetted Iron (HBI)
- Cold Briquetted Iron (CBI)
- DRI pellets
- DRI lumps
- Sponge iron
- Direct reduced iron fines
- Examples
- ArcelorMittal's HBI
- Cleveland-Cliffs' HBI
- Essar Steel's DRI
- Jindal Shadeed Iron & Steel's HBI
Codes often confused with 7203.10
Common mistake. Can be confused with iron ore (2601) if not clearly specified as reduced, or with pig iron (7201) which is a different intermediate product with higher carbon content.
Top exporters and importers of HS code 720310, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 720310 in UN Comtrade data was Trinidad and Tobago, with 18% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Saudi Arabia, with 25% of world imports. Russia did not report 2025 data, and its estimate from partner records misses its trade with other countries that did not report: in 2024 that was 2.8% of its exports here ($25M, CEPII BACI), so it may rank higher.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 Trinidad and Tobago $626M 18% of world exports
- 2 Russia* ~$616M 18% of world exports · partner records ↗
- 3 India $471M 14% of world exports
Russia did not report 2025 data, and its estimate from partner records misses its trade with other countries that did not report: in 2024 that was 2.8% of its exports here ($25M, CEPII BACI), so it may rank higher.
World total: $3.4B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 Saudi Arabia $1.2B 25% of world imports
- 2 United States $619M 12% of world imports
- 3 Oman $504M 10% of world imports
World total: $5.0B 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 marked * did not, so their figures add up what other countries recorded trading with them, and their exports are valued at buyers' CIF prices. 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 7203.10
Brazil does not split HS 7203.10: its NCM code is 7203.10.00.
All Brazil NCM codes in heading 72.03 →
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 7203.10
What is HS code 720310?
HS code 720310 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Ferrous products; obtained by direct reduction of iron ore, in lumps, pellets or similar forms. Ferrous products obtained by direct reduction of iron ore, in lumps, pellets or similar forms, commonly known as Direct Reduced Iron (DRI) or sponge iron, fall under HS code 720310. This product is a crucial metallic raw material for electric arc furnaces (EAFs), serving as an alternative to scrap or pig iron. Its production is often more environmentally friendly than traditional blast furnace methods, making it attractive for 'green steel' initiatives. Major importers are steel-producing nations with a high proportion of EAFs, such as the USA, EU countries, and India. Exporters typically include countries with abundant natural gas reserves, which is often used as a reductant, like Russia, Venezuela, and Trinidad & Tobago. The trade is influenced by steel demand, scrap prices, and energy costs.
What products fall under HS code 720310?
Hot Briquetted Iron (HBI), Cold Briquetted Iron (CBI), DRI pellets, DRI lumps, Sponge iron, Direct reduced iron fines
What are common misclassifications for HS code 720310?
Can be confused with iron ore (2601) if not clearly specified as reduced, or with pig iron (7201) which is a different intermediate product with higher carbon content.
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 720310?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 720310 in UN Comtrade data were Trinidad and Tobago ($626M, 18% of world exports), Russia (about $616M) and India ($471M). World exports came to about $3.4B, adding countries' reported figures and partner-based estimates for those that did not report (UN Comtrade data). Russia did not report 2025 data, and its estimate from partner records misses its trade with other countries that did not report: in 2024 that was 2.8% of its exports here ($25M, CEPII BACI), so it may rank higher.
Which countries are the top importers of goods under HS code 720310?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 720310 in UN Comtrade data were Saudi Arabia ($1.2B, 25% of world imports), the United States ($619M) and Oman ($504M). World imports came to about $5.0B, 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 720310 structured?
HS code 720310 is a 6-digit subheading under the Harmonized System. The first 2 digits (72) identify the chapter, digits 3-4 (03) identify the heading, and digits 5-6 (10) specify the subheading. This code is standardized globally by the World Customs Organization.
What is the Brazil NCM code for HS code 720310?
In Brazil, HS code 720310 is NCM 7203.10.00. The last two digits are 00 because Brazil does not split this HS code further.