HS code · 4-digit heading
HS Code 72.20 – Stainless steel; flat-rolled products of width less than 600mm
What HS 72.20 covers
Heading 7220 covers 'Stainless steel; flat-rolled products of width less than 600mm,' a crucial category for specialized and precision applications. This classification includes various forms such as narrow strips, foils, and sheets, encompassing both hot-rolled and cold-rolled processes, and featuring a multitude of finishes and gauges. The defining characteristic is the maximum width of less than 600mm, distinguishing it from the wider products of heading 7219. These narrower products are essential inputs for industries requiring high-performance, corrosion-resistant materials in smaller dimensions, such as medical devices, cutlery, automotive trim, precision engineering, and consumer goods. For trade compliance, accurate classification under 7220 is vital, as tariffs, anti-dumping measures, and specific product standards can vary significantly based on grade (e.g., 304, 316, 430), thickness, and finish. This heading, as part of Chapter 72 (Iron and Steel) and Section XV (Base Metals), underscores the versatility and advanced processing capabilities within the stainless steel industry, supporting a vast array of manufacturing processes that demand precision and durability.
- Covers
- Stainless steel narrow strips (<600mm width)
- Stainless steel cold-rolled strips (<600mm width)
- Stainless steel foil
- Stainless steel shim stock
- Stainless steel precision strips
- Stainless steel spring steel strips
- Stainless steel razor blade strips
- Stainless steel cutlery blanks
- Stainless steel medical instrument components
- Stainless steel watch components
- Stainless steel automotive trim
- Stainless steel tubing stock (narrow)
- Stainless steel gasket material
- Stainless steel kitchen utensil blanks
- Stainless steel electrical connector stock
- Stainless steel strapping
- Stainless steel flexible ducts (material)
- Stainless steel heat shield material
- Stainless steel decorative trim
- Stainless steel architectural accents
- Stainless steel perforated strips.
- Examples
A specialized Japanese steel manufacturer exports high-precision 316L stainless steel strips (HS 7220) to medical device producers in Ireland for the fabrication of surgical instruments, typically shipped via air freight for speed and security. Concurrently, a European mill supplies narrow 430-grade stainless steel coils (HS 7220) to cutlery manufacturers in Vietnam, used for stamping out knife and fork blanks, transported by container ship through the Suez Canal. Additionally, Chinese producers export decorative stainless steel strips (HS 7220) to furniture makers in the United States for trim and accents, often by ocean freight across the Pacific.
Subheadings under 72.20 4
Codes often confused with 72.20
Common mistake. The most common misclassification for 7220 is with its wider counterpart, 7219 (Flat-rolled products of stainless steel, width of 600mm or more); the critical distinction is the strict 600mm width cut-off. Another frequent error is confusing these flat-rolled products with stainless steel bars and rods (7222) or wire (7223), which have different cross-sectional profiles (e.g., round, square, hexagonal) rather than a flat, strip, or foil form. Traders might also incorrectly classify highly finished or fabricated narrow products as articles of Chapter 73 or other chapters if they have undergone substantial further processing beyond simple rolling or cutting to length.
Top exporters and importers of HS code 7220, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 7220 in UN Comtrade data was Germany, with 13% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Germany, with 13% 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 Germany $665M 13% of world exports
- 2 China $590M 12% of world exports
- 3 United States $468M 9.3% of world exports
World total: $5.0B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 Germany $674M 13% of world imports
- 2 Italy $373M 7.3% of world imports
- 3 Mexico $288M 5.6% of world imports
World total: $5.1B 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 72.20
What is HS code 7220?
HS code 7220 is a 4-digit heading in the Harmonized System that covers: Stainless steel; flat-rolled products of width less than 600mm. Heading 7220 covers 'Stainless steel; flat-rolled products of width less than 600mm,' a crucial category for specialized and precision applications. This classification includes various forms such as narrow strips, foils, and sheets, encompassing both hot-rolled and cold-rolled processes, and featuring a multitude of finishes and gauges. The defining characteristic is the maximum width of less than 600mm, distinguishing it from the wider products of heading 7219. These narrower products are essential inputs for industries requiring high-performance, corrosion-resistant materials in smaller dimensions, such as medical devices, cutlery, automotive trim, precision engineering, and consumer goods. For trade compliance, accurate classification under 7220 is vital, as tariffs, anti-dumping measures, and specific product standards can vary significantly based on grade (e.g., 304, 316, 430), thickness, and finish. This heading, as part of Chapter 72 (Iron and Steel) and Section XV (Base Metals), underscores the versatility and advanced processing capabilities within the stainless steel industry, supporting a vast array of manufacturing processes that demand precision and durability.
What products fall under HS code 7220?
Stainless steel narrow strips (<600mm width), Stainless steel cold-rolled strips (<600mm width), Stainless steel foil, Stainless steel shim stock, Stainless steel precision strips, Stainless steel spring steel strips, Stainless steel razor blade strips, Stainless steel cutlery blanks, Stainless steel medical instrument components, Stainless steel watch components, Stainless steel automotive trim, Stainless steel tubing stock (narrow), Stainless steel gasket material, Stainless steel kitchen utensil blanks, Stainless steel electrical connector stock, Stainless steel strapping, Stainless steel flexible ducts (material), Stainless steel heat shield material, Stainless steel decorative trim, Stainless steel architectural accents, Stainless steel perforated strips.
What are common misclassifications for HS code 7220?
The most common misclassification for 7220 is with its wider counterpart, 7219 (Flat-rolled products of stainless steel, width of 600mm or more); the critical distinction is the strict 600mm width cut-off. Another frequent error is confusing these flat-rolled products with stainless steel bars and rods (7222) or wire (7223), which have different cross-sectional profiles (e.g., round, square, hexagonal) rather than a flat, strip, or foil form. Traders might also incorrectly classify highly finished or fabricated narrow products as articles of Chapter 73 or other chapters if they have undergone substantial further processing beyond simple rolling or cutting to length.
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 7220?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 7220 in UN Comtrade data were Germany ($665M, 13% of world exports), China ($590M) and the United States ($468M). World exports came to about $5.0B, 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 7220?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 7220 in UN Comtrade data were Germany ($674M, 13% of world imports), Italy ($373M) and Mexico ($288M). World imports came to about $5.1B, 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 7220 structured?
HS code 7220 is a 4-digit heading under Chapter 72 of the Harmonized System. The first 2 digits (72) identify the chapter, and digits 3-4 (20) specify the heading. This code contains multiple 6-digit subheadings for precise product classification.