HS code · 6-digit subheading
HS Code 7220.20 – Steel, stainless; flat-rolled, width less than 600mm, cold-rolled
HS code 7220.20 is the 6-digit subheading for steel, stainless, flat-rolled, width less than 600mm, cold-rolled. It is used for cold-rolled stainless steel strips, precision stainless steel bands, stainless steel shim stock, stainless steel flat wire and polished stainless steel strips.
What HS 7220.20 covers
This HS code covers flat-rolled stainless steel, specifically cold-rolled products with a width of less than 600mm. These are typically stainless steel strips or narrow sheets that have undergone cold rolling, a process that improves surface finish, dimensional accuracy, and mechanical properties like strength and hardness, compared to hot-rolled products. These high-precision materials are crucial for industries demanding superior aesthetics and tight tolerances. Key applications include automotive trim, kitchen utensils, medical instruments, and electronic components. Major importers are countries with advanced manufacturing sectors, such as Germany, Japan, and the United States, which rely on these materials for high-quality finished goods. Exporters often include specialized steel mills in South Korea, China, and various European countries known for their precision rolling capabilities. The global trade in these cold-rolled stainless steel products is influenced by consumer demand for durable and aesthetically pleasing goods, technological advancements in manufacturing, and the need for materials with consistent quality. Buyers frequently specify surface finishes (e.g., BA, 2B), specific grades (e.g., 304, 316L), and precise dimensions.
- Covers
- Cold-rolled stainless steel strips
- Precision stainless steel bands
- Stainless steel shim stock
- Stainless steel flat wire
- Polished stainless steel strips
- Narrow cold-rolled stainless sheets
- Examples
- Sandvik cold-rolled precision strip
- Nippon Steel SUS304 cold-rolled strip
- Outokumpu 2B finish strip
- POSCO cold-rolled stainless steel bands
Codes often confused with 7220.20
Common mistake. This code is often confused with 72201X series (hot-rolled stainless steel of similar dimensions) because the cold-rolling process is a key differentiator affecting material properties and classification.
Top exporters and importers of HS code 722020, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 722020 in UN Comtrade data was Germany, with 14% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Germany, with 15% 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 $613M 14% of world exports
- 2 China $491M 12% of world exports
- 3 Italy $426M 10% of world exports
World total: $4.3B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 Germany $604M 15% of world imports
- 2 Italy $312M 7.5% of world imports
- 3 Mexico $245M 5.9% of world imports
World total: $4.1B 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.
Brazil NCM codes for 7220.20 2
Brazil splits HS 7220.20 into 2 NCM codes, Mercosur's 8-digit tariff lines.
- 7220.20.10 Cold-rolled stainless strip, up to 23 x 0.1 mmDe largura inferior ou igual a 23 mm e espessura inferior ou igual a 0,1 mm
- 7220.20.90 Other narrow cold-rolled stainless steelOutros
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 7220.20
What is HS code 722020?
HS code 722020 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Steel, stainless; flat-rolled, width less than 600mm, cold-rolled. This HS code covers flat-rolled stainless steel, specifically cold-rolled products with a width of less than 600mm. These are typically stainless steel strips or narrow sheets that have undergone cold rolling, a process that improves surface finish, dimensional accuracy, and mechanical properties like strength and hardness, compared to hot-rolled products. These high-precision materials are crucial for industries demanding superior aesthetics and tight tolerances. Key applications include automotive trim, kitchen utensils, medical instruments, and electronic components. Major importers are countries with advanced manufacturing sectors, such as Germany, Japan, and the United States, which rely on these materials for high-quality finished goods. Exporters often include specialized steel mills in South Korea, China, and various European countries known for their precision rolling capabilities. The global trade in these cold-rolled stainless steel products is influenced by consumer demand for durable and aesthetically pleasing goods, technological advancements in manufacturing, and the need for materials with consistent quality. Buyers frequently specify surface finishes (e.g., BA, 2B), specific grades (e.g., 304, 316L), and precise dimensions.
What products fall under HS code 722020?
Cold-rolled stainless steel strips, Precision stainless steel bands, Stainless steel shim stock, Stainless steel flat wire, Polished stainless steel strips, Narrow cold-rolled stainless sheets
What are common misclassifications for HS code 722020?
This code is often confused with 72201X series (hot-rolled stainless steel of similar dimensions) because the cold-rolling process is a key differentiator affecting material properties and classification.
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 722020?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 722020 in UN Comtrade data were Germany ($613M, 14% of world exports), China ($491M) and Italy ($426M). World exports came to about $4.3B, 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 722020?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 722020 in UN Comtrade data were Germany ($604M, 15% of world imports), Italy ($312M) and Mexico ($245M). World imports came to about $4.1B, 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 722020 structured?
HS code 722020 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 (20) specify the subheading. This code is standardized globally by the World Customs Organization.
What is the Brazil NCM code for HS code 722020?
Brazil splits HS code 722020 into 2 NCM codes: 7220.20.10 (Cold-rolled stainless strip, up to 23 x 0.1 mm), 7220.20.90 (Other narrow cold-rolled stainless steel). The first 6 digits of each match the HS code.