HS code · 6-digit subheading
HS Code 7220.12 – Steel, stainless; flat-rolled, width less than 600mm, hot-rolled, of a thickness of less than 4.75mm
HS code 7220.12 is the 6-digit subheading for steel, stainless, flat-rolled, width less than 600mm, hot-rolled, of a thickness of less than 4.75mm. It is used for stainless steel hot-rolled strips, narrow stainless steel sheets, stainless steel flat bars (hot-rolled), stainless steel profiles and hot-rolled stainless steel bands.
What HS 7220.12 covers
This HS code identifies flat-rolled stainless steel products that are hot-rolled, have a width less than 600mm, and a thickness of less than 4.75mm. These are typically stainless steel strips or narrow sheets, often used as semi-finished goods in various manufacturing processes. Their smaller width makes them suitable for applications requiring precision or where larger sheets would result in excessive waste. Industries such as automotive, construction, and general engineering are key consumers, utilizing these strips for components like fasteners, brackets, and small structural parts. Major importers include countries with diverse manufacturing bases, such as the USA, Germany, and Japan, which integrate these materials into their production lines for specialized products. Exporters are often large steel mills in China, India, and European countries. The trade in these narrow, hot-rolled stainless steel products is driven by industrial demand, the need for corrosion-resistant components, and the global supply chain for specialized metal parts. Buyers often specify precise dimensions, stainless steel grades (e.g., 304, 316), and mechanical properties to ensure suitability for their specific manufacturing processes.
- Covers
- Stainless steel hot-rolled strips
- Narrow stainless steel sheets
- Stainless steel flat bars (hot-rolled)
- Stainless steel profiles
- Hot-rolled stainless steel bands
- Industrial stainless steel strips
- Examples
- Sandvik stainless steel strip
- Outokumpu hot-rolled narrow strip
- Aperam 304 hot-rolled strip
- ThyssenKrupp stainless steel flat bar
Codes often confused with 7220.12
Common mistake. This code can be confused with 722020 (cold-rolled stainless steel of similar dimensions) due to the visual similarity, but the hot-rolled vs. cold-rolled process significantly impacts material properties and classification.
Top exporters and importers of HS code 722012, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 722012 in UN Comtrade data was the United States, with 17% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Poland, with 15% 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 17% of its exports here ($4.4M, CEPII BACI), so it may also belong among the top exporters.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 United States $22M 17% of world exports
- 2 China $14M 12% of world exports
- 3 Italy $9.2M 7.4% of world exports
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 17% of its exports here ($4.4M, CEPII BACI), so it may also belong among the top exporters.
World total: $124M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 Poland $31M 15% of world imports
- 2 Malaysia $21M 9.8% of world imports
- 3 Germany $20M 9.3% of world imports
World total: $215M 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 7220.12 3
Brazil splits HS 7220.12 into 3 NCM codes, Mercosur's 8-digit tariff lines.
- 7220.12.10 Narrow hot-rolled stainless, 1.5 mm or lessDe espessura inferior ou igual a 1,5 mm
- 7220.12.20 Narrow hot-rolled stainless, over 1.5 mm to 3 mmDe espessura superior a 1,5 mm, mas não superior a 3 mm
- 7220.12.90 Narrow hot-rolled stainless, over 3, under 4.75 mmOutros
All Brazil NCM codes in heading 72.20 →
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 7220.12
What is HS code 722012?
HS code 722012 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Steel, stainless; flat-rolled, width less than 600mm, hot-rolled, of a thickness of less than 4.75mm. This HS code identifies flat-rolled stainless steel products that are hot-rolled, have a width less than 600mm, and a thickness of less than 4.75mm. These are typically stainless steel strips or narrow sheets, often used as semi-finished goods in various manufacturing processes. Their smaller width makes them suitable for applications requiring precision or where larger sheets would result in excessive waste. Industries such as automotive, construction, and general engineering are key consumers, utilizing these strips for components like fasteners, brackets, and small structural parts. Major importers include countries with diverse manufacturing bases, such as the USA, Germany, and Japan, which integrate these materials into their production lines for specialized products. Exporters are often large steel mills in China, India, and European countries. The trade in these narrow, hot-rolled stainless steel products is driven by industrial demand, the need for corrosion-resistant components, and the global supply chain for specialized metal parts. Buyers often specify precise dimensions, stainless steel grades (e.g., 304, 316), and mechanical properties to ensure suitability for their specific manufacturing processes.
What products fall under HS code 722012?
Stainless steel hot-rolled strips, Narrow stainless steel sheets, Stainless steel flat bars (hot-rolled), Stainless steel profiles, Hot-rolled stainless steel bands, Industrial stainless steel strips
What are common misclassifications for HS code 722012?
This code can be confused with 722020 (cold-rolled stainless steel of similar dimensions) due to the visual similarity, but the hot-rolled vs. cold-rolled process significantly impacts material properties and classification.
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 722012?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 722012 in UN Comtrade data were the United States ($22M, 17% of world exports), China ($14M) and Italy ($9.2M). World exports came to about $124M, 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 17% of its exports here ($4.4M, CEPII BACI), so it may also belong among the top exporters.
Which countries are the top importers of goods under HS code 722012?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 722012 in UN Comtrade data were Poland ($31M, 15% of world imports), Malaysia ($21M) and Germany ($20M). World imports came to about $215M, 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 722012 structured?
HS code 722012 is a 6-digit subheading under the Harmonized System. The first 2 digits (72) identify the chapter, digits 3-4 (20) identify the heading, and digits 5-6 (12) specify the subheading. This code is standardized globally by the World Customs Organization.
What is the Brazil NCM code for HS code 722012?
Brazil splits HS code 722012 into 3 NCM codes: 7220.12.10 (Narrow hot-rolled stainless, 1.5 mm or less), 7220.12.20 (Narrow hot-rolled stainless, over 1.5 mm to 3 mm), 7220.12.90 (Narrow hot-rolled stainless, over 3, under 4.75 mm). The first 6 digits of each match the HS code.