HS code · 6-digit subheading
HS Code 7212.50 – Iron or non-alloy steel; flat-rolled, width less than 600mm, plated or coated, (excluding tin, zinc or plastic)
HS code 7212.50 is the 6-digit subheading for iron or non-alloy steel, flat-rolled, width less than 600mm, plated or coated, (excluding tin, zinc or plastic). It is used for aluminized steel strips, galvalume/Aluzinc coated steel (narrow), chromium-plated steel, lead-coated steel and specialized alloy-coated steel.
What HS 7212.50 covers
This is a residual HS code for flat-rolled iron or non-alloy steel, with a width less than 600mm, that has been plated or coated with materials *other than* tin, zinc, or plastics. This 'basket' category encompasses a wide array of specialized coatings, such as aluminum, aluminum-zinc alloys (e.g., Galvalume/Aluzinc), chromium, lead, or various organic/inorganic compounds. These coatings are applied to impart specific functional properties like enhanced heat resistance, reflectivity, specialized corrosion protection, or unique surface characteristics for niche industrial demands where standard coatings are insufficient. Trade in these products often caters to highly specialized applications and industries.
- Covers
- Aluminized steel strips
- Galvalume/Aluzinc coated steel (narrow)
- Chromium-plated steel
- Lead-coated steel
- Specialized alloy-coated steel
- Reflective steel panels
- Heat-resistant steel sheets.
- Examples
- ArcelorMittal Aluzinc
- Nippon Steel aluminized steel
- JFE Steel Galvalume
- ThyssenKrupp specialized coated strips
- POSCO Al-Zn coated steel.
Codes often confused with 7212.50
Common mistake. This is a 'basket' category for coatings, so misclassification often occurs when a product *does* have a tin, zinc, or plastic coating (and should be in 721210, 721220, 721230, or 721240) but is incorrectly placed here due to oversight or lack of detailed coating information.
Top exporters and importers of HS code 721250, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 721250 in UN Comtrade data was China, with 24% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was the Philippines, with 28% 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 $173M 24% of world exports
- 2 Germany $107M 15% of world exports
- 3 South Korea $86M 12% of world exports
World total: $726M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 Philippines $344M 28% of world imports
- 2 Indonesia $154M 13% of world imports
- 3 China $84M 7.0% of world imports
World total: $1.2B 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 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 codes for 7212.50 2
Brazil splits HS 7212.50 into 2 NCM codes, Mercosur's 8-digit tariff lines.
- 7212.50.10 Narrow steel with sintered bronze layerCom uma camada de liga cobre-estanho ou cobre-estanho-chumbo, aplicada por sinterização, inclusive com revestimento misto metal-plástico ou metal-plástico-fibra de carbono
- 7212.50.90 Other narrow plated or coated flat steelOutros
All Brazil NCM codes in heading 72.12 →
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 7212.50
What is HS code 721250?
HS code 721250 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Iron or non-alloy steel; flat-rolled, width less than 600mm, plated or coated, (excluding tin, zinc or plastic). This is a residual HS code for flat-rolled iron or non-alloy steel, with a width less than 600mm, that has been plated or coated with materials *other than* tin, zinc, or plastics. This 'basket' category encompasses a wide array of specialized coatings, such as aluminum, aluminum-zinc alloys (e.g., Galvalume/Aluzinc), chromium, lead, or various organic/inorganic compounds. These coatings are applied to impart specific functional properties like enhanced heat resistance, reflectivity, specialized corrosion protection, or unique surface characteristics for niche industrial demands where standard coatings are insufficient. Trade in these products often caters to highly specialized applications and industries.
What products fall under HS code 721250?
Aluminized steel strips, Galvalume/Aluzinc coated steel (narrow), chromium-plated steel, lead-coated steel, specialized alloy-coated steel, reflective steel panels, heat-resistant steel sheets.
What are common misclassifications for HS code 721250?
This is a 'basket' category for coatings, so misclassification often occurs when a product *does* have a tin, zinc, or plastic coating (and should be in 721210, 721220, 721230, or 721240) but is incorrectly placed here due to oversight or lack of detailed coating information.
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 721250?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 721250 in UN Comtrade data were China ($173M, 24% of world exports), Germany ($107M) and South Korea ($86M). World exports came to about $726M, 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 721250?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 721250 in UN Comtrade data were the Philippines ($344M, 28% of world imports), Indonesia ($154M) and China ($84M). World imports came to about $1.2B, 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 721250 structured?
HS code 721250 is a 6-digit subheading under the Harmonized System. The first 2 digits (72) identify the chapter, digits 3-4 (12) identify the heading, and digits 5-6 (50) specify the subheading. This code is standardized globally by the World Customs Organization.
What is the Brazil NCM code for HS code 721250?
Brazil splits HS code 721250 into 2 NCM codes: 7212.50.10 (Narrow steel with sintered bronze layer), 7212.50.90 (Other narrow plated or coated flat steel). The first 6 digits of each match the HS code.