HS code · 6-digit subheading
HS Code 7204.50 – Ferrous products; remelting scrap ingots
HS code 7204.50 is the 6-digit subheading for ferrous products, remelting scrap ingots. It is used for steel remelting ingots, cast iron remelting ingots, alloy steel remelting ingots, stainless steel remelting ingots and pig iron remelting ingots.
What HS 7204.50 covers
This HS code specifically covers remelting scrap ingots, which are essentially pre-processed blocks of ferrous scrap designed for efficient remelting in steel mills or foundries. Unlike raw, unsorted scrap, these ingots have often undergone some level of sorting, cleaning, and compaction, making them a more consistent and desirable input material. Their trade is vital for steel producers seeking to optimize their furnace operations, reduce energy consumption, and ensure a more predictable chemical composition in their final products. Importers are typically steel mills and foundries in countries with significant steel production, such as China, India, and various European nations, looking for high-quality, ready-to-melt ferrous inputs. Exporters often include countries with advanced scrap processing facilities or those with surplus scrap that has been upgraded into ingot form. Key considerations include the purity and density of the ingots, as well as their specific metallurgical properties, which can influence their suitability for different steel grades.
- Covers
- Steel remelting ingots
- Cast iron remelting ingots
- Alloy steel remelting ingots
- Stainless steel remelting ingots
- Pig iron remelting ingots
- Foundry remelting blocks
- Examples
- Remelted steel blocks
- Foundry returns ingots
- Compacted scrap ingots
- Processed ferrous briquettes
Codes often confused with 7204.50
Common mistake. This code is distinct from general ferrous scrap (e.g., 720449) because it represents a processed, semi-finished product rather than raw scrap. It could be confused with primary ingots (e.g., 720610) if the "remelting scrap" origin is not clear.
Top exporters and importers of HS code 720450, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 720450 in UN Comtrade data was Spain, with 29% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was the Netherlands, with 34% 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 Spain $20M 29% of world exports
- 2 Austria $18M 26% of world exports
- 3 Sweden $6.8M 9.8% of world exports
World total: $70M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 Netherlands $21M 34% of world imports
- 2 Kenya $11M 18% of world imports
- 3 Germany $6.7M 11% of world imports
World total: $61M 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 7204.50
Brazil does not split HS 7204.50: its NCM code is 7204.50.00.
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 7204.50
What is HS code 720450?
HS code 720450 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Ferrous products; remelting scrap ingots. This HS code specifically covers remelting scrap ingots, which are essentially pre-processed blocks of ferrous scrap designed for efficient remelting in steel mills or foundries. Unlike raw, unsorted scrap, these ingots have often undergone some level of sorting, cleaning, and compaction, making them a more consistent and desirable input material. Their trade is vital for steel producers seeking to optimize their furnace operations, reduce energy consumption, and ensure a more predictable chemical composition in their final products. Importers are typically steel mills and foundries in countries with significant steel production, such as China, India, and various European nations, looking for high-quality, ready-to-melt ferrous inputs. Exporters often include countries with advanced scrap processing facilities or those with surplus scrap that has been upgraded into ingot form. Key considerations include the purity and density of the ingots, as well as their specific metallurgical properties, which can influence their suitability for different steel grades.
What products fall under HS code 720450?
Steel remelting ingots, Cast iron remelting ingots, Alloy steel remelting ingots, Stainless steel remelting ingots, Pig iron remelting ingots, Foundry remelting blocks
What are common misclassifications for HS code 720450?
This code is distinct from general ferrous scrap (e.g., 720449) because it represents a processed, semi-finished product rather than raw scrap. It could be confused with primary ingots (e.g., 720610) if the "remelting scrap" origin is not clear.
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 720450?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 720450 in UN Comtrade data were Spain ($20M, 29% of world exports), Austria ($18M) and Sweden ($6.8M). World exports came to about $70M, 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 720450?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 720450 in UN Comtrade data were the Netherlands ($21M, 34% of world imports), Kenya ($11M) and Germany ($6.7M). World imports came to about $61M, 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 720450 structured?
HS code 720450 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 (50) specify the subheading. This code is standardized globally by the World Customs Organization.
What is the Brazil NCM code for HS code 720450?
In Brazil, HS code 720450 is NCM 7204.50.00. The last two digits are 00 because Brazil does not split this HS code further.