HS code · 4-digit heading

HS Code 72.08 – Iron or non-alloy steel; flat-rolled products of a width of 600mm or more, hot-rolled, not clad, plated or coated

What HS 72.08 covers

Heading 7208 covers flat-rolled products of iron or non-alloy steel, specifically those with a width of 600mm or more, that have been hot-rolled, and are not clad, plated, or coated. This is a critical classification for a broad range of industrial applications, representing a significant stage of steel processing beyond semi-finished products. Hot rolling involves passing heated steel through rollers at high temperatures, which refines the grain structure and improves mechanical properties, resulting in products like coils, sheets, and plates. The 'not clad, plated or coated' condition means these products are in their raw, hot-rolled state, without any surface treatment for corrosion resistance or aesthetic purposes, distinguishing them from heading 7210. The minimum width of 600mm is a crucial differentiator, separating these wide products from narrower flat-rolled products (e.g., heading 7211). For trade compliance, correctly identifying the rolling process (hot vs. cold), width, and absence of coating is paramount, as these factors directly influence tariff rates, import duties, and trade remedy measures. These products are foundational for heavy industries, including construction, shipbuilding, automotive frames, and large-scale manufacturing, making their trade volume a key economic indicator. This heading represents a major output from steel mills, directly utilizing the semi-finished products of 7207.

Covers
  • Hot-rolled coils (HRC)
  • Hot-rolled steel sheets
  • Hot-rolled steel plates
  • Universal plates
  • Wide flats (hot-rolled)
  • Hot-rolled strip in coils (width ≥ 600mm)
  • Structural steel plates (hot-rolled, uncoated)
  • Shipbuilding plates (hot-rolled, uncoated)
  • Floor plates (hot-rolled, uncoated)
  • Hot-rolled checker plates (uncoated)
  • Heavy plates
  • Hot-rolled blanks (uncoated)
  • Hot-rolled steel in cut lengths
  • Hot-rolled steel in rolls
  • Commercial quality hot-rolled sheets.
Examples

A large Korean steel mill exports thousands of tons of hot-rolled coils (HRC) to an automotive stamping plant in Mexico, where they are further processed into vehicle chassis and structural components. This is a vital supply chain for the North American automotive industry. Separately, a Chinese manufacturer ships heavy hot-rolled steel plates to a shipbuilding yard in Vietnam for the construction of cargo vessels, illustrating a major trade route for industrial raw materials in Southeast Asia. Furthermore, a European construction company might import wide hot-rolled structural plates from Turkey for a new bridge project, relying on efficient Mediterranean shipping routes to source essential building materials.

Subheadings under 72.08 14

7208.10Iron or non-alloy steel; in coils, flat-rolled, of a width 600mm or more, hot-rolled, with patterns in relief7208.25Iron or non-alloy steel; in coils, without patterns in relief, flat-rolled, of a width 600mm or more, hot-rolled, pickled, of a thickness of 4.75mm or more7208.26Iron or non-alloy steel; in coils, without patterns in relief, flat-rolled, of a width 600mm or more, hot-rolled, pickled, of a thickness of 3mm or more but less than 4.75mm7208.27Iron or non-alloy steel; in coils, without patterns in relief, flat-rolled, of a width 600mm or more, hot-rolled, pickled, of a thickness of less than 3mm7208.36Iron or non-alloy steel; in coils, without patterns in relief, flat-rolled, of a width 600mm or more, hot-rolled, of a thickness exceeding 10mm7208.37Iron or non-alloy steel; in coils, without patterns in relief, flat-rolled, of a width 600mm or more, hot-rolled, of a thickness of 4.75mm or more but not exceeding 10mm7208.38Iron or non-alloy steel; in coils, without patterns in relief, flat-rolled, of a width 600mm or more, hot-rolled, of a thickness of 3mm or more but less than 4.75mm7208.39Iron or non-alloy steel; in coils, without patterns in relief, flat-rolled, of a width 600mm or more, hot-rolled, of a thickness of less than 3mm7208.40Iron or non-alloy steel; (not in coils), flat-rolled, of a width 600mm or more, hot-rolled, with patterns in relief7208.51Iron or non-alloy steel; (not in coils), flat-rolled, of a width 600mm or more, hot-rolled, without patterns in relief, of a thickness exceeding 10mm7208.52Iron or non-alloy steel; (not in coils), flat-rolled, of a width 600mm or more, hot-rolled, without patterns in relief, of a thickness of 4.75mm or more but not exceeding 10mm7208.53Iron or non-alloy steel; (not in coils), flat-rolled, of a width 600mm or more, hot-rolled, without patterns in relief, of a thickness of 3mm or more but less than 4.75mm7208.54Iron or non-alloy steel; (not in coils), flat-rolled, of a width 600mm or more, hot-rolled, without patterns in relief, of a thickness of less than 3mm7208.90Iron or non-alloy steel; flat-rolled, hot-rolled, of a width 600mm or more, n.e.c. in heading no. 7208

19 Brazil NCM codes in heading 72.08 →

Codes often confused with 72.08

Common mistake. Frequent misclassifications for 7208 occur when traders confuse 'hot-rolled' with 'cold-rolled' (7209) or 'uncoated' with 'coated' (7210). The hot-rolling process results in a different surface finish and mechanical properties compared to cold-rolling, leading to distinct tariff classifications. The absence of cladding, plating, or coating is also a definitive characteristic for 7208; if any surface treatment is present, it likely falls under 7210. Additionally, the width criterion of 600mm is crucial; products narrower than this would fall under heading 7211, not 7208. Misinterpreting these physical characteristics can lead to significant customs errors.

72.09Iron or non-alloy steel; flat-rolled products, width 600mm or more, cold-rolled (cold-reduced), not clad, plated or coated72.10Iron or non-alloy steel; flat-rolled products, width 600mm or more, clad, plated or coated72.11Iron or non-alloy steel; flat-rolled products, width less than 600mm, not clad, plated or coated

Top exporters and importers of HS code 7208, 2025

In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 7208 in UN Comtrade data was China, with 25% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Vietnam, with about 7.7% 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. 1 China $14.3B
  2. 2 Japan $7.6B
  3. 3 South Korea $5.5B

World total: $57.2B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗

Top importers 2025 · share of world imports

  1. 1 Vietnam* ~$4.6B
  2. 2 Italy $4.1B
  3. 3 Germany $2.9B

World total: $60.2B 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.

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 72.08

What is HS code 7208?

HS code 7208 is a 4-digit heading in the Harmonized System that covers: Iron or non-alloy steel; flat-rolled products of a width of 600mm or more, hot-rolled, not clad, plated or coated. Heading 7208 covers flat-rolled products of iron or non-alloy steel, specifically those with a width of 600mm or more, that have been hot-rolled, and are not clad, plated, or coated. This is a critical classification for a broad range of industrial applications, representing a significant stage of steel processing beyond semi-finished products. Hot rolling involves passing heated steel through rollers at high temperatures, which refines the grain structure and improves mechanical properties, resulting in products like coils, sheets, and plates. The 'not clad, plated or coated' condition means these products are in their raw, hot-rolled state, without any surface treatment for corrosion resistance or aesthetic purposes, distinguishing them from heading 7210. The minimum width of 600mm is a crucial differentiator, separating these wide products from narrower flat-rolled products (e.g., heading 7211). For trade compliance, correctly identifying the rolling process (hot vs. cold), width, and absence of coating is paramount, as these factors directly influence tariff rates, import duties, and trade remedy measures. These products are foundational for heavy industries, including construction, shipbuilding, automotive frames, and large-scale manufacturing, making their trade volume a key economic indicator. This heading represents a major output from steel mills, directly utilizing the semi-finished products of 7207.

What products fall under HS code 7208?

Hot-rolled coils (HRC), hot-rolled steel sheets, hot-rolled steel plates, universal plates, wide flats (hot-rolled), hot-rolled strip in coils (width ≥ 600mm), structural steel plates (hot-rolled, uncoated), shipbuilding plates (hot-rolled, uncoated), floor plates (hot-rolled, uncoated), hot-rolled checker plates (uncoated), heavy plates, hot-rolled blanks (uncoated), hot-rolled steel in cut lengths, hot-rolled steel in rolls, commercial quality hot-rolled sheets.

What are common misclassifications for HS code 7208?

Frequent misclassifications for 7208 occur when traders confuse 'hot-rolled' with 'cold-rolled' (7209) or 'uncoated' with 'coated' (7210). The hot-rolling process results in a different surface finish and mechanical properties compared to cold-rolling, leading to distinct tariff classifications. The absence of cladding, plating, or coating is also a definitive characteristic for 7208; if any surface treatment is present, it likely falls under 7210. Additionally, the width criterion of 600mm is crucial; products narrower than this would fall under heading 7211, not 7208. Misinterpreting these physical characteristics can lead to significant customs errors.

Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 7208?

In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 7208 in UN Comtrade data were China ($14.3B, 25% of world exports), Japan ($7.6B) and South Korea ($5.5B). World exports came to about $57.2B, 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 7208?

In 2025, the top importers of HS code 7208 in UN Comtrade data were Vietnam (about $4.6B, 7.7% of world imports), Italy ($4.1B) and Germany ($2.9B). World imports came to about $60.2B, 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 7208 structured?

HS code 7208 is a 4-digit heading under Chapter 72 of the Harmonized System. The first 2 digits (72) identify the chapter, and digits 3-4 (08) specify the heading. This code contains multiple 6-digit subheadings for precise product classification.