HS code · 6-digit subheading
HS Code 7208.52 – Iron 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 10mm
HS code 7208.52 is the 6-digit subheading for iron 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 10mm. It is used for medium steel plate, HR steel sheet, general purpose plate, structural steel sheet and fabrication plate.
What HS 7208.52 covers
This HS code covers hot-rolled flat products of non-alloy steel, supplied as individual sheets or plates (not in coils), with a width of 600mm or more, without surface patterns, and a thickness ranging from 4.75mm up to and including 10mm. These medium-gauge plates are versatile industrial materials used across numerous sectors. Key players in this trade include steel mills, metal service centers, and manufacturers in construction, general fabrication, automotive chassis components, and agricultural machinery. The market is driven by industrial production levels and infrastructure spending. Buyers prioritize material properties like yield strength, tensile strength, and formability, often requiring specific grades (e.g., S275JR, A572 Gr.50). Trade considerations include managing freight costs for bulky items, ensuring compliance with international standards, and navigating trade policies such as tariffs and environmental regulations like CBAM.
- Covers
- Medium steel plate
- HR steel sheet
- General purpose plate
- Structural steel sheet
- Fabrication plate
- Automotive frame plate
- Machinery component plate
- Examples
- Tata Steel HR Plate
- JSW Steel Plate
- US Steel HR Plate
- ThyssenKrupp Medium Plate
Codes often confused with 7208.52
Common mistake. This code can be confused with 720851 (thicker plates) or 720837 (coiled products of the same thickness), as the key differentiators are the form (plate vs. coil) and the exact thickness range.
Top exporters and importers of HS code 720852, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 720852 in UN Comtrade data was China, with 28% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Germany, with 9.6% 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 China $1.2B 28% of world exports
- 2 Japan $278M 6.6% of world exports
- 3 Netherlands $264M 6.3% of world exports
World total: $4.2B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 Germany $418M 9.6% of world imports
- 2 Vietnam* ~$317M 7.3% of world imports · partner records ↗
- 3 France $231M 5.3% of world imports
World total: $4.4B 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 7208.52
Brazil does not split HS 7208.52: its NCM code is 7208.52.00.
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 7208.52
What is HS code 720852?
HS code 720852 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Iron 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 10mm. This HS code covers hot-rolled flat products of non-alloy steel, supplied as individual sheets or plates (not in coils), with a width of 600mm or more, without surface patterns, and a thickness ranging from 4.75mm up to and including 10mm. These medium-gauge plates are versatile industrial materials used across numerous sectors. Key players in this trade include steel mills, metal service centers, and manufacturers in construction, general fabrication, automotive chassis components, and agricultural machinery. The market is driven by industrial production levels and infrastructure spending. Buyers prioritize material properties like yield strength, tensile strength, and formability, often requiring specific grades (e.g., S275JR, A572 Gr.50). Trade considerations include managing freight costs for bulky items, ensuring compliance with international standards, and navigating trade policies such as tariffs and environmental regulations like CBAM.
What products fall under HS code 720852?
Medium steel plate, HR steel sheet, general purpose plate, structural steel sheet, fabrication plate, automotive frame plate, machinery component plate
What are common misclassifications for HS code 720852?
This code can be confused with 720851 (thicker plates) or 720837 (coiled products of the same thickness), as the key differentiators are the form (plate vs. coil) and the exact thickness range.
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 720852?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 720852 in UN Comtrade data were China ($1.2B, 28% of world exports), Japan ($278M) and the Netherlands ($264M). World exports came to about $4.2B, 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 720852?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 720852 in UN Comtrade data were Germany ($418M, 9.6% of world imports), Vietnam (about $317M) and France ($231M). World imports came to about $4.4B, 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 720852 structured?
HS code 720852 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 (52) specify the subheading. This code is standardized globally by the World Customs Organization.
What is the Brazil NCM code for HS code 720852?
In Brazil, HS code 720852 is NCM 7208.52.00. The last two digits are 00 because Brazil does not split this HS code further.