HS code · 6-digit subheading

HS Code 7208.38 – Iron 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 4.75mm

HS code 7208.38 is the 6-digit subheading for iron 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 4.75mm. It is used for thin gauge HR steel coil, HR sheet coil (3-4.75mm), automotive grade HR coil, pipe & tube HR coil and general fabrication HR coil.

What HS 7208.38 covers

This HS code covers hot-rolled flat products of non-alloy steel, supplied in coils, with a width of 600mm or more, and a thickness ranging from 3mm up to but not including 4.75mm. These are essential semi-finished goods for a wide array of manufacturing industries. Key players in this trade include major steel mills, steel service centers, and manufacturers in sectors like automotive, general fabrication, pipe and tube production, and light construction. The global trade in these coils is influenced by raw material costs, energy prices, and geopolitical factors affecting supply chains. Buyers often prioritize material consistency, surface quality, and mechanical properties suitable for subsequent processing like cold forming or welding. Understanding regional demand, inventory levels, and potential trade barriers, such as tariffs or environmental compliance requirements like CBAM, is crucial for participants in this market.

Covers
  • Thin gauge HR steel coil
  • HR sheet coil (3-4.75mm)
  • Automotive grade HR coil
  • Pipe & tube HR coil
  • General fabrication HR coil
  • Light structural HR coil
Examples
  • SSAB Domex HR Coil
  • Nucor HR Steel Coil
  • JFE Steel HR Coil
  • Baosteel HR Coil

Codes often confused with 7208.38

Common mistake. Misclassification often occurs with 720837 (thicker coils) or 720839 (thinner coils), as the precise thickness range is the critical differentiating factor for these coiled products.

7208.37Iron 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 10mm7208.39Iron 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 3mm

Top exporters and importers of HS code 720838, 2025

In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 720838 in UN Comtrade data was China, with 32% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Vietnam, with about 17% 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 $2.3B
  2. 2 Japan $981M
  3. 3 South Korea $668M

World total: $7.2B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗

Top importers 2025 · share of world imports

  1. 1 Vietnam* ~$1.3B
  2. 2 Italy $1.1B
  3. 3 Türkiye $716M

World total: $7.9B 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 codes for 7208.38 2

Brazil splits HS 7208.38 into 2 NCM codes, Mercosur's 8-digit tariff lines.

  1. 7208.38.10 Unpickled HR coil 3 to under 4.75mm, 355 MPa yieldCom um limite mínimo de elasticidade de 355 MPa
  2. 7208.38.90 Other unpickled HR coil, 3 to under 4.75 mmOutros

All Brazil NCM codes in heading 72.08 →

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 7208.38

What is HS code 720838?

HS code 720838 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Iron 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 4.75mm. This HS code covers hot-rolled flat products of non-alloy steel, supplied in coils, with a width of 600mm or more, and a thickness ranging from 3mm up to but not including 4.75mm. These are essential semi-finished goods for a wide array of manufacturing industries. Key players in this trade include major steel mills, steel service centers, and manufacturers in sectors like automotive, general fabrication, pipe and tube production, and light construction. The global trade in these coils is influenced by raw material costs, energy prices, and geopolitical factors affecting supply chains. Buyers often prioritize material consistency, surface quality, and mechanical properties suitable for subsequent processing like cold forming or welding. Understanding regional demand, inventory levels, and potential trade barriers, such as tariffs or environmental compliance requirements like CBAM, is crucial for participants in this market.

What products fall under HS code 720838?

Thin gauge HR steel coil, HR sheet coil (3-4.75mm), automotive grade HR coil, pipe & tube HR coil, general fabrication HR coil, light structural HR coil

What are common misclassifications for HS code 720838?

Misclassification often occurs with 720837 (thicker coils) or 720839 (thinner coils), as the precise thickness range is the critical differentiating factor for these coiled products.

Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 720838?

In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 720838 in UN Comtrade data were China ($2.3B, 32% of world exports), Japan ($981M) and South Korea ($668M). World exports came to about $7.2B, 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 720838?

In 2025, the top importers of HS code 720838 in UN Comtrade data were Vietnam (about $1.3B, 17% of world imports), Italy ($1.1B) and Türkiye ($716M). World imports came to about $7.9B, 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.

How is HS code 720838 structured?

HS code 720838 is a 6-digit subheading under the Harmonized System. The first 2 digits (72) identify the chapter, digits 3-4 (08) identify the heading, and digits 5-6 (38) specify the subheading. This code is standardized globally by the World Customs Organization.

What is the Brazil NCM code for HS code 720838?

Brazil splits HS code 720838 into 2 NCM codes: 7208.38.10 (Unpickled HR coil 3 to under 4.75mm, 355 MPa yield), 7208.38.90 (Other unpickled HR coil, 3 to under 4.75 mm). The first 6 digits of each match the HS code.