HS code · 6-digit subheading
HS Code 7216.69 – Iron or non-alloy steel; angles, shapes and sections, cold-formed or cold-finished, (not obtained from flat-rolled products)
HS code 7216.69 is the 6-digit subheading for iron or non-alloy steel, angles, shapes and sections, cold-formed or cold-finished, (not obtained from flat-rolled products). It is used for cold-drawn square bars, cold-drawn hexagonal bars, cold-extruded profiles, cold-finished round bars (non-flat-rolled origin) and precision cold-drawn angles.
What HS 7216.69 covers
This category encompasses cold-formed or cold-finished angles, shapes, and sections of iron or non-alloy steel that are explicitly *not* obtained from flat-rolled products. This distinction is vital, as it implies they are formed from billets, bars, or other primary forms through processes like cold drawing or cold extrusion, rather than bending or pressing flat sheets. These products typically exhibit superior surface finish, exceptional dimensional accuracy, and enhanced mechanical properties due to the cold working. They are indispensable for precision engineering, machinery components, and specialized structural applications where high performance and tight tolerances are paramount. Importers are typically manufacturers of industrial equipment, automotive parts, and precision instruments. Exporters are specialized steel mills and processors with advanced cold-forming capabilities.
- Covers
- Cold-drawn square bars
- Cold-drawn hexagonal bars
- Cold-extruded profiles
- Cold-finished round bars (non-flat-rolled origin)
- Precision cold-drawn angles
- Special cold-drawn sections
- Cold-finished flat bars (non-flat-rolled origin)
- Examples
- Ovako cold-drawn bars
- Nucor cold-finished special sections
- Valbruna cold-drawn profiles
- Macsteel cold-finished bars
- Carpenter Technology cold-finished shapes
Codes often confused with 7216.69
Common mistake. This code is distinct from 721661 because its products are not obtained from flat-rolled stock, making the manufacturing origin the key differentiator. It can also be confused with 7215 (other bars and rods) if the 'shape' aspect is not clearly defined beyond a simple bar.
Top exporters and importers of HS code 721669, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 721669 in UN Comtrade data was Germany, with 21% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Germany, with 9.5% of world imports. Russia did not report 2025 data, and its estimate from partner records misses its trade with other countries that did not report: in 2024 that was 98% of its exports here ($24M, CEPII BACI), so it may also belong among the top exporters. Taiwan did not report 2025 data, and its estimate from partner records misses its trade with other countries that did not report: in 2024 that was 84% of its imports here ($24M, CEPII BACI), so it may also belong among the top importers.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 Germany $33M 21% of world exports
- 2 Italy $20M 13% of world exports
- 3 China $13M 8.5% of world exports
Russia did not report 2025 data, and its estimate from partner records misses its trade with other countries that did not report: in 2024 that was 98% of its exports here ($24M, CEPII BACI), so it may also belong among the top exporters.
World total: $158M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 Germany $20M 9.5% of world imports
- 2 France $13M 6.5% of world imports
- 3 Thailand $13M 6.2% of world imports
Taiwan did not report 2025 data, and its estimate from partner records misses its trade with other countries that did not report: in 2024 that was 84% of its imports here ($24M, CEPII BACI), so it may also belong among the top importers.
World total: $205M 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 7216.69 2
Brazil splits HS 7216.69 into 2 NCM codes, Mercosur's 8-digit tariff lines.
- 7216.69.10 Other cold-formed sections, under 80 mm highDe altura inferior a 80 mm
- 7216.69.90 Other cold-formed sections, 80 mm high or moreOutros
All Brazil NCM codes in heading 72.16 →
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 7216.69
What is HS code 721669?
HS code 721669 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Iron or non-alloy steel; angles, shapes and sections, cold-formed or cold-finished, (not obtained from flat-rolled products). This category encompasses cold-formed or cold-finished angles, shapes, and sections of iron or non-alloy steel that are explicitly *not* obtained from flat-rolled products. This distinction is vital, as it implies they are formed from billets, bars, or other primary forms through processes like cold drawing or cold extrusion, rather than bending or pressing flat sheets. These products typically exhibit superior surface finish, exceptional dimensional accuracy, and enhanced mechanical properties due to the cold working. They are indispensable for precision engineering, machinery components, and specialized structural applications where high performance and tight tolerances are paramount. Importers are typically manufacturers of industrial equipment, automotive parts, and precision instruments. Exporters are specialized steel mills and processors with advanced cold-forming capabilities.
What products fall under HS code 721669?
Cold-drawn square bars, Cold-drawn hexagonal bars, Cold-extruded profiles, Cold-finished round bars (non-flat-rolled origin), Precision cold-drawn angles, Special cold-drawn sections, Cold-finished flat bars (non-flat-rolled origin)
What are common misclassifications for HS code 721669?
This code is distinct from 721661 because its products are not obtained from flat-rolled stock, making the manufacturing origin the key differentiator. It can also be confused with 7215 (other bars and rods) if the 'shape' aspect is not clearly defined beyond a simple bar.
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 721669?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 721669 in UN Comtrade data were Germany ($33M, 21% of world exports), Italy ($20M) and China ($13M). World exports came to about $158M, adding countries' reported figures and partner-based estimates for those that did not report (UN Comtrade data). Russia did not report 2025 data, and its estimate from partner records misses its trade with other countries that did not report: in 2024 that was 98% of its exports here ($24M, CEPII BACI), so it may also belong among the top exporters.
Which countries are the top importers of goods under HS code 721669?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 721669 in UN Comtrade data were Germany ($20M, 9.5% of world imports), France ($13M) and Thailand ($13M). World imports came to about $205M, adding countries' reported figures and partner-based estimates for those that did not report (UN Comtrade data). Taiwan did not report 2025 data, and its estimate from partner records misses its trade with other countries that did not report: in 2024 that was 84% of its imports here ($24M, CEPII BACI), so it may also belong among the top importers.
How is HS code 721669 structured?
HS code 721669 is a 6-digit subheading under the Harmonized System. The first 2 digits (72) identify the chapter, digits 3-4 (16) identify the heading, and digits 5-6 (69) specify the subheading. This code is standardized globally by the World Customs Organization.
What is the Brazil NCM code for HS code 721669?
Brazil splits HS code 721669 into 2 NCM codes: 7216.69.10 (Other cold-formed sections, under 80 mm high), 7216.69.90 (Other cold-formed sections, 80 mm high or more). The first 6 digits of each match the HS code.