HS code · 6-digit subheading
HS Code 7207.12 – Iron or non-alloy steel; semi-finished products of iron or non-alloy steel; containing by weight less than 0.25% of carbon, of rectangular (other than square) cross-section
HS code 7207.12 is the 6-digit subheading for iron or non-alloy steel, semi-finished products of iron or non-alloy steel, containing by weight less than 0.25% of carbon, of rectangular (other than square) cross-section. It is used for low carbon steel slabs, rectangular blooms (non-square), plate stock, hot strip mill feedstock and sheet bar.
What HS 7207.12 covers
This HS code specifies semi-finished products of non-alloy steel with low carbon content (less than 0.25%), characterized by a rectangular cross-section that is not square. These are typically slabs or wide blooms, destined for further processing into flat-rolled products like plates, sheets, and strips. They represent a critical link in the steel supply chain, moving from primary steel producers to hot strip mills or plate mills. Major steel-producing nations in Asia, such as China, Japan, and South Korea, are prominent exporters, supplying manufacturing industries globally, including automotive, shipbuilding, and construction. The low carbon content ensures good formability and weldability, making them versatile for various applications.
- Covers
- Low carbon steel slabs
- Rectangular blooms (non-square)
- Plate stock
- Hot strip mill feedstock
- Sheet bar
- Coil box feed material
- Examples
- Baosteel low carbon slabs
- Hyundai Steel rectangular blooms
- US Steel plate stock
- JFE Steel hot strip feedstock
Codes often confused with 7207.12
Common mistake. Easily confused with 720711 (square/rectangular, width less than twice thickness) or 720719 (other cross-sections). The 'other than square' rectangular cross-section is the defining characteristic.
Top exporters and importers of HS code 720712, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 720712 in UN Comtrade data was Brazil, with 30% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was the United States, with 15% 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 Brazil $3.6B 30% of world exports
- 2 Russia* ~$3.3B 28% of world exports · partner records ↗
- 3 Japan $764M 6.4% of world exports
World total: $11.9B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 United States $1.9B 15% of world imports
- 2 Türkiye $1.9B 15% of world imports
- 3 Italy $1.4B 11% of world imports
World total: $12.6B 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 7207.12
Brazil does not split HS 7207.12: its NCM code is 7207.12.00.
All Brazil NCM codes in heading 72.07 →
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 7207.12
What is HS code 720712?
HS code 720712 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Iron or non-alloy steel; semi-finished products of iron or non-alloy steel; containing by weight less than 0.25% of carbon, of rectangular (other than square) cross-section. This HS code specifies semi-finished products of non-alloy steel with low carbon content (less than 0.25%), characterized by a rectangular cross-section that is not square. These are typically slabs or wide blooms, destined for further processing into flat-rolled products like plates, sheets, and strips. They represent a critical link in the steel supply chain, moving from primary steel producers to hot strip mills or plate mills. Major steel-producing nations in Asia, such as China, Japan, and South Korea, are prominent exporters, supplying manufacturing industries globally, including automotive, shipbuilding, and construction. The low carbon content ensures good formability and weldability, making them versatile for various applications.
What products fall under HS code 720712?
Low carbon steel slabs, Rectangular blooms (non-square), Plate stock, Hot strip mill feedstock, Sheet bar, Coil box feed material
What are common misclassifications for HS code 720712?
Easily confused with 720711 (square/rectangular, width less than twice thickness) or 720719 (other cross-sections). The 'other than square' rectangular cross-section is the defining characteristic.
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 720712?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 720712 in UN Comtrade data were Brazil ($3.6B, 30% of world exports), Russia (about $3.3B) and Japan ($764M). World exports came to about $11.9B, 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.
Which countries are the top importers of goods under HS code 720712?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 720712 in UN Comtrade data were the United States ($1.9B, 15% of world imports), Türkiye ($1.9B) and Italy ($1.4B). World imports came to about $12.6B, 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 720712 structured?
HS code 720712 is a 6-digit subheading under the Harmonized System. The first 2 digits (72) identify the chapter, digits 3-4 (07) identify the heading, and digits 5-6 (12) specify the subheading. This code is standardized globally by the World Customs Organization.
What is the Brazil NCM code for HS code 720712?
In Brazil, HS code 720712 is NCM 7207.12.00. The last two digits are 00 because Brazil does not split this HS code further.