HS code · 6-digit subheading
HS Code 7208.90 – Iron or non-alloy steel; flat-rolled, hot-rolled, of a width 600mm or more, n.e.c. in heading no. 7208
HS code 7208.90 is the 6-digit subheading for iron or non-alloy steel, flat-rolled, hot-rolled, of a width 600mm or more, n.e.c. in heading no. 7208. It is used for hot-rolled checker plates, diamond pattern steel plates, tread plates, embossed steel sheets and raised pattern steel plates.
What HS 7208.90 covers
This HS code serves as a residual category for hot-rolled, flat-rolled products of non-alloy iron or steel, with a width of 600mm or more, that are not specifically classified in other subheadings of 7208. This typically includes products with patterns in relief, such as checker plates or diamond plates, or those with other specific characteristics not covered by the more detailed thickness or coil/non-coil distinctions. These specialized hot-rolled products find applications in flooring, ramps, platforms, and decorative architectural elements where anti-slip properties or aesthetic patterns are desired. International trade involves steel mills producing these patterned sheets for construction, industrial, and automotive sectors. Key aspects for trade include the specific pattern design, anti-slip rating, steel grade, and surface finish. The market is driven by infrastructure projects, industrial safety regulations, and architectural design trends.
- Covers
- Hot-rolled checker plates
- Diamond pattern steel plates
- Tread plates
- Embossed steel sheets
- Raised pattern steel plates
- Anti-slip steel sheets
- Floor plates with patterns
- Examples
- ArcelorMittal checker plate
- SSAB patterned steel
- Nucor floor plate
- JFE Steel tread plate
Codes often confused with 7208.90
Common mistake. This code can be confused with flat-rolled products without patterns in relief (e.g., 72085X series) or even cold-rolled patterned sheets (720990) if the rolling process and presence of patterns are not clearly distinguished.
Top exporters and importers of HS code 720890, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 720890 in UN Comtrade data was Germany, with 17% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Pakistan, with 29% 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 Germany $133M 17% of world exports
- 2 Russia* ~$128M 16% of world exports · partner records ↗
- 3 China $82M 11% of world exports
World total: $781M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 Pakistan $409M 29% of world imports
- 2 Netherlands $166M 12% of world imports
- 3 Germany $119M 8.4% of world imports
World total: $1.4B 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 7208.90
Brazil does not split HS 7208.90: its NCM code is 7208.90.00.
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 7208.90
What is HS code 720890?
HS code 720890 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Iron or non-alloy steel; flat-rolled, hot-rolled, of a width 600mm or more, n.e.c. in heading no. 7208. This HS code serves as a residual category for hot-rolled, flat-rolled products of non-alloy iron or steel, with a width of 600mm or more, that are not specifically classified in other subheadings of 7208. This typically includes products with patterns in relief, such as checker plates or diamond plates, or those with other specific characteristics not covered by the more detailed thickness or coil/non-coil distinctions. These specialized hot-rolled products find applications in flooring, ramps, platforms, and decorative architectural elements where anti-slip properties or aesthetic patterns are desired. International trade involves steel mills producing these patterned sheets for construction, industrial, and automotive sectors. Key aspects for trade include the specific pattern design, anti-slip rating, steel grade, and surface finish. The market is driven by infrastructure projects, industrial safety regulations, and architectural design trends.
What products fall under HS code 720890?
Hot-rolled checker plates, Diamond pattern steel plates, Tread plates, Embossed steel sheets, Raised pattern steel plates, Anti-slip steel sheets, Floor plates with patterns
What are common misclassifications for HS code 720890?
This code can be confused with flat-rolled products without patterns in relief (e.g., 72085X series) or even cold-rolled patterned sheets (720990) if the rolling process and presence of patterns are not clearly distinguished.
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 720890?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 720890 in UN Comtrade data were Germany ($133M, 17% of world exports), Russia (about $128M) and China ($82M). World exports came to about $781M, 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 720890?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 720890 in UN Comtrade data were Pakistan ($409M, 29% of world imports), the Netherlands ($166M) and Germany ($119M). World imports came to about $1.4B, 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 720890 structured?
HS code 720890 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 (90) specify the subheading. This code is standardized globally by the World Customs Organization.
What is the Brazil NCM code for HS code 720890?
In Brazil, HS code 720890 is NCM 7208.90.00. The last two digits are 00 because Brazil does not split this HS code further.