HS code · 6-digit subheading
HS Code 7210.12 – Iron or non-alloy steel; flat-rolled, width 600mm or more, plated or coated with tin, thickness of less than 0.5mm
HS code 7210.12 is the 6-digit subheading for iron or non-alloy steel, flat-rolled, width 600mm or more, plated or coated with tin, thickness of less than 0.5mm. It is used for tinplate for beverage cans, food-grade tinplate for small cans, electrolytic tinplate (ETP), tin-coated steel for aerosol cans and thin gauge tinplate for bottle caps.
What HS 7210.12 covers
This HS code identifies flat-rolled products of non-alloy steel, width 600mm or more, plated or coated with tin, and with a thickness of less than 0.5mm. This represents the most common form of tinplate, widely traded globally due to its excellent formability, corrosion resistance, and aesthetic appeal. It is indispensable for a vast array of packaging, especially for food and beverages, aerosol cans, and bottle caps. The global trade involves specialized steel mills producing high-quality electrolytic tinplate (ETP), which is then shipped to packaging manufacturers worldwide for conversion into various containers. Its lightweight nature and protective qualities make it a critical material for the modern packaging industry.
- Covers
- Tinplate for beverage cans
- Food-grade tinplate for small cans
- Electrolytic tinplate (ETP)
- Tin-coated steel for aerosol cans
- Thin gauge tinplate for bottle caps
- Easy-open can ends
- Examples
- US Steel tinplate
- thyssenkrupp Rasselstein tinplate
- JFE Steel ETP
- Baosteel tinplate
- Nippon Steel tinplate
Codes often confused with 7210.12
Common mistake. Often confused with other thin flat-rolled products, especially those with different metallic coatings (e.g., chromium-coated steel 721050) or even uncoated cold-rolled steel (7209).
Top exporters and importers of HS code 721012, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 721012 in UN Comtrade data was China, with 26% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was the United States, with 25% 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 $1.8B 26% of world exports
- 2 Germany $1.4B 20% of world exports
- 3 Netherlands $813M 12% of world exports
World total: $6.9B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 United States $1.9B 25% of world imports
- 2 Italy $884M 12% of world imports
- 3 Mexico $326M 4.4% of world imports
World total: $7.4B 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 that did not report are estimated from what other countries recorded trading with them. 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 7210.12
Brazil does not split HS 7210.12: its NCM code is 7210.12.00.
All Brazil NCM codes in heading 72.10 →
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 7210.12
What is HS code 721012?
HS code 721012 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Iron or non-alloy steel; flat-rolled, width 600mm or more, plated or coated with tin, thickness of less than 0.5mm. This HS code identifies flat-rolled products of non-alloy steel, width 600mm or more, plated or coated with tin, and with a thickness of less than 0.5mm. This represents the most common form of tinplate, widely traded globally due to its excellent formability, corrosion resistance, and aesthetic appeal. It is indispensable for a vast array of packaging, especially for food and beverages, aerosol cans, and bottle caps. The global trade involves specialized steel mills producing high-quality electrolytic tinplate (ETP), which is then shipped to packaging manufacturers worldwide for conversion into various containers. Its lightweight nature and protective qualities make it a critical material for the modern packaging industry.
What products fall under HS code 721012?
Tinplate for beverage cans, food-grade tinplate for small cans, electrolytic tinplate (ETP), tin-coated steel for aerosol cans, thin gauge tinplate for bottle caps, easy-open can ends
What are common misclassifications for HS code 721012?
Often confused with other thin flat-rolled products, especially those with different metallic coatings (e.g., chromium-coated steel 721050) or even uncoated cold-rolled steel (7209).
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 721012?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 721012 in UN Comtrade data were China ($1.8B, 26% of world exports), Germany ($1.4B) and the Netherlands ($813M). World exports came to about $6.9B, 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 721012?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 721012 in UN Comtrade data were the United States ($1.9B, 25% of world imports), Italy ($884M) and Mexico ($326M). World imports came to about $7.4B, 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 721012 structured?
HS code 721012 is a 6-digit subheading under the Harmonized System. The first 2 digits (72) identify the chapter, digits 3-4 (10) 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 721012?
In Brazil, HS code 721012 is NCM 7210.12.00. The last two digits are 00 because Brazil does not split this HS code further.