HS code · 6-digit subheading
HS Code 7204.30 – Ferrous waste and scrap; of tinned iron or steel
HS code 7204.30 is the 6-digit subheading for ferrous waste and scrap, of tinned iron or steel. It is used for tinplate clippings, used tin cans (baled), tin-coated steel sheet scrap, tinplate manufacturing waste and detinned steel scrap.
What HS 7204.30 covers
This HS code pertains to the international trade of ferrous waste and scrap specifically derived from tinned iron or steel, commonly known as tinplate scrap. This material is a byproduct of manufacturing processes involving tin-coated steel, such as food canning and packaging. The primary challenge and value in this scrap lie in the separation of tin from the steel, as tin is a valuable non-ferrous metal and its presence can be detrimental to certain steelmaking processes if not properly managed. Importers are typically countries with detinning facilities or steel mills capable of processing tinned scrap, often in regions with high consumption of canned goods, like Europe and parts of Asia. Exporters are usually nations with large food processing and packaging industries. Key aspects of this trade include the efficiency of detinning technologies, environmental regulations regarding waste processing, and the fluctuating prices of both tin and steel. The circular economy benefits from the recycling of tinplate, reducing reliance on virgin materials.
- Covers
- Tinplate clippings
- Used tin cans (baled)
- Tin-coated steel sheet scrap
- Tinplate manufacturing waste
- Detinned steel scrap
- Tinned steel packaging scrap
- Examples
- Used beverage cans (UBCs) made of steel
- Food can scrap
- Aerosol can scrap
- Tinplate offcuts from can manufacturing
Codes often confused with 7204.30
Common mistake. This code is distinct due to the tin coating; it might be confused with 720449 (other ferrous scrap) if the tin content is not identified, or with general steel scrap if the detinning process is not considered.
Top exporters and importers of HS code 720430, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 720430 in UN Comtrade data was Belgium, with 11% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was the Netherlands, with 12% 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 Belgium $86M 11% of world exports
- 2 Netherlands $70M 9.0% of world exports
- 3 France $69M 8.9% of world exports
World total: $779M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 Netherlands $59M 12% of world imports
- 2 Spain $58M 12% of world imports
- 3 Belgium $57M 12% of world imports
World total: $487M 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 7204.30
Brazil does not split HS 7204.30: its NCM code is 7204.30.00.
All Brazil NCM codes in heading 72.04 →
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 7204.30
What is HS code 720430?
HS code 720430 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Ferrous waste and scrap; of tinned iron or steel. This HS code pertains to the international trade of ferrous waste and scrap specifically derived from tinned iron or steel, commonly known as tinplate scrap. This material is a byproduct of manufacturing processes involving tin-coated steel, such as food canning and packaging. The primary challenge and value in this scrap lie in the separation of tin from the steel, as tin is a valuable non-ferrous metal and its presence can be detrimental to certain steelmaking processes if not properly managed. Importers are typically countries with detinning facilities or steel mills capable of processing tinned scrap, often in regions with high consumption of canned goods, like Europe and parts of Asia. Exporters are usually nations with large food processing and packaging industries. Key aspects of this trade include the efficiency of detinning technologies, environmental regulations regarding waste processing, and the fluctuating prices of both tin and steel. The circular economy benefits from the recycling of tinplate, reducing reliance on virgin materials.
What products fall under HS code 720430?
Tinplate clippings, Used tin cans (baled), Tin-coated steel sheet scrap, Tinplate manufacturing waste, Detinned steel scrap, Tinned steel packaging scrap
What are common misclassifications for HS code 720430?
This code is distinct due to the tin coating; it might be confused with 720449 (other ferrous scrap) if the tin content is not identified, or with general steel scrap if the detinning process is not considered.
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 720430?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 720430 in UN Comtrade data were Belgium ($86M, 11% of world exports), the Netherlands ($70M) and France ($69M). World exports came to about $779M, 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 720430?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 720430 in UN Comtrade data were the Netherlands ($59M, 12% of world imports), Spain ($58M) and Belgium ($57M). World imports came to about $487M, 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 720430 structured?
HS code 720430 is a 6-digit subheading under the Harmonized System. The first 2 digits (72) identify the chapter, digits 3-4 (04) identify the heading, and digits 5-6 (30) specify the subheading. This code is standardized globally by the World Customs Organization.
What is the Brazil NCM code for HS code 720430?
In Brazil, HS code 720430 is NCM 7204.30.00. The last two digits are 00 because Brazil does not split this HS code further.