HS code · 6-digit subheading
HS Code 7218.10 – Steel, stainless; ingots and other primary forms
HS code 7218.10 is the 6-digit subheading for steel, stainless, ingots and other primary forms. It is used for stainless steel ingots, stainless steel blooms, stainless steel billets, stainless steel slabs and continuous cast stainless steel.
What HS 7218.10 covers
This HS code covers stainless steel in its primary, unprocessed forms, specifically ingots and other initial shapes before they are rolled, drawn, or forged into finished products. These primary forms represent the raw material stage for the entire stainless steel industry. They are crucial for steel mills and foundries that specialize in producing various stainless steel products, from sheets and bars to pipes and tubes. Importers are typically large-scale steel manufacturers and specialized foundries that process these primary forms into semi-finished or finished goods. Exporters are major stainless steel producers with integrated melting and casting facilities. Key aspects in trade include the specific grade of stainless steel (e.g., 304, 316, 430), chemical composition, and purity, which dictate the properties and quality of the final products derived from them.
- Covers
- Stainless steel ingots
- Stainless steel blooms
- Stainless steel billets
- Stainless steel slabs
- Continuous cast stainless steel
- Stainless steel primary forms
- Stainless steel remelting ingots
- Stainless steel cast shapes
- Examples
- Outokumpu stainless steel ingots
- Aperam stainless steel slabs
- POSCO stainless steel billets
- ThyssenKrupp stainless steel primary forms
- Acerinox stainless steel blooms
Codes often confused with 7218.10
Common mistake. This code is distinct from semi-finished products like bars (7221, 7222) or flat-rolled products (7219, 7220). The key is that these are 'primary forms' requiring significant further processing, not yet shaped into common semi-finished forms.
Top exporters and importers of HS code 721810, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 721810 in UN Comtrade data was the United States, with 19% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Italy, with 18% 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 United States $59M 19% of world exports
- 2 Austria $53M 17% of world exports
- 3 Italy $34M 11% of world exports
World total: $310M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 Italy $78M 18% of world imports
- 2 Belgium $75M 18% of world imports
- 3 Germany $52M 12% of world imports
World total: $426M 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 7218.10
Brazil does not split HS 7218.10: its NCM code is 7218.10.00.
All Brazil NCM codes in heading 72.18 →
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 7218.10
What is HS code 721810?
HS code 721810 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Steel, stainless; ingots and other primary forms. This HS code covers stainless steel in its primary, unprocessed forms, specifically ingots and other initial shapes before they are rolled, drawn, or forged into finished products. These primary forms represent the raw material stage for the entire stainless steel industry. They are crucial for steel mills and foundries that specialize in producing various stainless steel products, from sheets and bars to pipes and tubes. Importers are typically large-scale steel manufacturers and specialized foundries that process these primary forms into semi-finished or finished goods. Exporters are major stainless steel producers with integrated melting and casting facilities. Key aspects in trade include the specific grade of stainless steel (e.g., 304, 316, 430), chemical composition, and purity, which dictate the properties and quality of the final products derived from them.
What products fall under HS code 721810?
Stainless steel ingots, Stainless steel blooms, Stainless steel billets, Stainless steel slabs, Continuous cast stainless steel, Stainless steel primary forms, Stainless steel remelting ingots, Stainless steel cast shapes
What are common misclassifications for HS code 721810?
This code is distinct from semi-finished products like bars (7221, 7222) or flat-rolled products (7219, 7220). The key is that these are 'primary forms' requiring significant further processing, not yet shaped into common semi-finished forms.
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 721810?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 721810 in UN Comtrade data were the United States ($59M, 19% of world exports), Austria ($53M) and Italy ($34M). World exports came to about $310M, 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 721810?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 721810 in UN Comtrade data were Italy ($78M, 18% of world imports), Belgium ($75M) and Germany ($52M). World imports came to about $426M, 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 721810 structured?
HS code 721810 is a 6-digit subheading under the Harmonized System. The first 2 digits (72) identify the chapter, digits 3-4 (18) identify the heading, and digits 5-6 (10) specify the subheading. This code is standardized globally by the World Customs Organization.
What is the Brazil NCM code for HS code 721810?
In Brazil, HS code 721810 is NCM 7218.10.00. The last two digits are 00 because Brazil does not split this HS code further.