HS code · 4-digit heading
HS Code 72.13 – Iron or non-alloy steel; bars and rods, hot-rolled, in irregularly wound coils
What HS 72.13 covers
Heading 7213 specifically encompasses bars and rods of iron or non-alloy steel that are hot-rolled and presented in irregularly wound coils. This classification is primarily associated with 'wire rod,' a crucial intermediate product in the steel industry. The defining characteristics are the hot-rolling process and the specific presentation 'in irregularly wound coils,' which distinguishes it from straight bars and rods (7214) or actual drawn wire (7217). Wire rod serves as the fundamental raw material for a vast array of downstream products, including various types of wire (e.g., fencing wire, welding wire, tire cord), fasteners (bolts, nuts, screws), mesh, and concrete reinforcement. Its significance in international trade is immense, as it forms a critical link in the global supply chain, connecting primary steel production with numerous manufacturing industries. For trade compliance professionals, accurately identifying the product as hot-rolled and in irregularly wound coils is essential for correct classification, impacting duties, quotas, and trade remedy measures. Historically, the trade of wire rod has been a significant indicator of industrial development and infrastructure investment worldwide. As part of Chapter 72, this heading emphasizes the semi-finished nature of these steel products, positioning them after initial melting and casting but before extensive further processing or fabrication, within the broader context of base metals.
- Covers
- Low carbon wire rod
- High carbon wire rod
- Welding wire rod
- Cold heading quality (CHQ) wire rod
- Spring wire rod
- Tire cord wire rod
- Electrode wire rod
- Reinforcing bar in coils (rebar coils)
- Structural wire rod
- Fencing wire rod
- Mesh wire rod
- Galvanized wire rod (before drawing)
- Annealed wire rod (hot-rolled)
- Pickled wire rod (hot-rolled)
- Drawing quality wire rod
- Bright wire rod (hot-rolled)
- Steel rod for nuts and bolts
- Steel rod for screws
- General purpose wire rod
- Hot-rolled round bars in coils
- Hot-rolled deformed bars in coils
- High strength wire rod
- Low alloy steel wire rod
- Hot-rolled coil for wire drawing
- Hot-rolled industrial wire rod.
- Examples
A major wire manufacturer in Germany imports high-carbon wire rod from Russia via Baltic Sea routes to produce high-strength springs and cables. An infrastructure developer in the Philippines sources rebar in irregularly wound coils from China, shipped across the South China Sea, for concrete reinforcement in large-scale construction projects. A fastener production facility in the United States procures cold heading quality (CHQ) wire rod from India, transported via the Indian Ocean and Atlantic, to manufacture bolts and screws for various industries.
Subheadings under 72.13 4
Codes often confused with 72.13
Common mistake. A common misclassification error for products under 7213 is confusing them with actual wire (heading 7217). Wire rod (7213) is a hot-rolled, irregularly coiled precursor to wire, typically larger in diameter, while wire (7217) is a cold-drawn product. Another mistake is classifying straight bars and rods here, which belong to 7214 (hot-worked) or 7215 (cold-finished). Traders must pay close attention to the 'irregularly wound coils' characteristic and the 'hot-rolled' process, as opposed to cold drawing. Incorrectly classifying wire rod as finished wire can lead to significant duty discrepancies and non-compliance issues due to differing tariff rates and trade measures.
Top exporters and importers of HS code 7213, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 7213 in UN Comtrade data was China, with 27% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was the United States, with 6.1% 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 $3.6B 27% of world exports
- 2 Germany $1.4B 11% of world exports
- 3 Malaysia $731M 5.5% of world exports
World total: $13.4B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 United States $837M 6.1% of world imports
- 2 Israel $820M 5.9% of world imports
- 3 Romania $546M 3.9% of world imports
World total: $13.8B 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.
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 72.13
What is HS code 7213?
HS code 7213 is a 4-digit heading in the Harmonized System that covers: Iron or non-alloy steel; bars and rods, hot-rolled, in irregularly wound coils. Heading 7213 specifically encompasses bars and rods of iron or non-alloy steel that are hot-rolled and presented in irregularly wound coils. This classification is primarily associated with 'wire rod,' a crucial intermediate product in the steel industry. The defining characteristics are the hot-rolling process and the specific presentation 'in irregularly wound coils,' which distinguishes it from straight bars and rods (7214) or actual drawn wire (7217). Wire rod serves as the fundamental raw material for a vast array of downstream products, including various types of wire (e.g., fencing wire, welding wire, tire cord), fasteners (bolts, nuts, screws), mesh, and concrete reinforcement. Its significance in international trade is immense, as it forms a critical link in the global supply chain, connecting primary steel production with numerous manufacturing industries. For trade compliance professionals, accurately identifying the product as hot-rolled and in irregularly wound coils is essential for correct classification, impacting duties, quotas, and trade remedy measures. Historically, the trade of wire rod has been a significant indicator of industrial development and infrastructure investment worldwide. As part of Chapter 72, this heading emphasizes the semi-finished nature of these steel products, positioning them after initial melting and casting but before extensive further processing or fabrication, within the broader context of base metals.
What products fall under HS code 7213?
Low carbon wire rod, high carbon wire rod, welding wire rod, cold heading quality (CHQ) wire rod, spring wire rod, tire cord wire rod, electrode wire rod, reinforcing bar in coils (rebar coils), structural wire rod, fencing wire rod, mesh wire rod, galvanized wire rod (before drawing), annealed wire rod (hot-rolled), pickled wire rod (hot-rolled), drawing quality wire rod, bright wire rod (hot-rolled), steel rod for nuts and bolts, steel rod for screws, general purpose wire rod, hot-rolled round bars in coils, hot-rolled deformed bars in coils, high strength wire rod, low alloy steel wire rod, hot-rolled coil for wire drawing, hot-rolled industrial wire rod.
What are common misclassifications for HS code 7213?
A common misclassification error for products under 7213 is confusing them with actual wire (heading 7217). Wire rod (7213) is a hot-rolled, irregularly coiled precursor to wire, typically larger in diameter, while wire (7217) is a cold-drawn product. Another mistake is classifying straight bars and rods here, which belong to 7214 (hot-worked) or 7215 (cold-finished). Traders must pay close attention to the 'irregularly wound coils' characteristic and the 'hot-rolled' process, as opposed to cold drawing. Incorrectly classifying wire rod as finished wire can lead to significant duty discrepancies and non-compliance issues due to differing tariff rates and trade measures.
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 7213?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 7213 in UN Comtrade data were China ($3.6B, 27% of world exports), Germany ($1.4B) and Malaysia ($731M). World exports came to about $13.4B, 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.
Which countries are the top importers of goods under HS code 7213?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 7213 in UN Comtrade data were the United States ($837M, 6.1% of world imports), Israel ($820M) and Romania ($546M). World imports came to about $13.8B, 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 7213 structured?
HS code 7213 is a 4-digit heading under Chapter 72 of the Harmonized System. The first 2 digits (72) identify the chapter, and digits 3-4 (13) specify the heading. This code contains multiple 6-digit subheadings for precise product classification.