HS code · 6-digit subheading
HS Code 7220.90 – Steel, stainless; flat-rolled, width less than 600mm, n.e.c. in heading no 7220
HS code 7220.90 is the 6-digit subheading for steel, stainless, flat-rolled, width less than 600mm, n.e.c. in heading no 7220. It is used for specialized stainless steel foils, coated stainless steel strips, etched stainless steel bands, custom-finished stainless steel strips and perforated stainless steel narrow sheets.
What HS 7220.90 covers
This "not elsewhere specified" (n.e.c.) HS code acts as a residual category for flat-rolled stainless steel products with a width of less than 600mm that do not fit into the more specific hot-rolled (72201X) or cold-rolled (722020) subcategories within heading 7220. This might include products that have undergone further processing beyond basic rolling, or those with unique characteristics not explicitly defined elsewhere. These could be specialized stainless steel strips, foils, or other narrow forms with specific surface treatments, coatings, or unusual dimensions. Importers are typically niche manufacturers or specialized industries requiring custom-engineered stainless steel materials for applications in aerospace, medical devices, or high-tech electronics. Countries with advanced industrial bases and R&D capabilities, such as Switzerland, Israel, and certain EU nations, often import these specialized materials. Exporters are usually highly specialized steel mills or processors capable of producing bespoke stainless steel products. The trade in these goods is often project-specific and driven by innovation and the demand for highly customized materials.
- Covers
- Specialized stainless steel foils
- Coated stainless steel strips
- Etched stainless steel bands
- Custom-finished stainless steel strips
- Perforated stainless steel narrow sheets
- Electro-polished stainless steel strips
- Examples
- Alleima (formerly Sandvik Materials Technology) specialized strip
- Ulbrich Stainless Steels & Special Metals custom strip
- AK Steel specialty stainless
- Precision Steel Warehouse custom alloys
Codes often confused with 7220.90
Common mistake. This code is a catch-all, so misclassification can occur if a product actually fits a more specific hot-rolled (72201X) or cold-rolled (722020) category, or even other stainless steel product codes if the "flat-rolled, width less than 600mm" criteria are not strictly met.
Top exporters and importers of HS code 722090, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 722090 in UN Comtrade data was Japan, with 14% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was China, with 11% 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 Japan $68M 14% of world exports
- 2 China $68M 14% of world exports
- 3 South Korea $52M 11% of world exports
World total: $472M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 China $62M 11% of world imports
- 2 India $53M 9.3% of world imports
- 3 Italy $45M 7.9% of world imports
World total: $566M 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 7220.90
Brazil does not split HS 7220.90: its NCM code is 7220.90.00.
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 7220.90
What is HS code 722090?
HS code 722090 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Steel, stainless; flat-rolled, width less than 600mm, n.e.c. in heading no 7220. This "not elsewhere specified" (n.e.c.) HS code acts as a residual category for flat-rolled stainless steel products with a width of less than 600mm that do not fit into the more specific hot-rolled (72201X) or cold-rolled (722020) subcategories within heading 7220. This might include products that have undergone further processing beyond basic rolling, or those with unique characteristics not explicitly defined elsewhere. These could be specialized stainless steel strips, foils, or other narrow forms with specific surface treatments, coatings, or unusual dimensions. Importers are typically niche manufacturers or specialized industries requiring custom-engineered stainless steel materials for applications in aerospace, medical devices, or high-tech electronics. Countries with advanced industrial bases and R&D capabilities, such as Switzerland, Israel, and certain EU nations, often import these specialized materials. Exporters are usually highly specialized steel mills or processors capable of producing bespoke stainless steel products. The trade in these goods is often project-specific and driven by innovation and the demand for highly customized materials.
What products fall under HS code 722090?
Specialized stainless steel foils, Coated stainless steel strips, Etched stainless steel bands, Custom-finished stainless steel strips, Perforated stainless steel narrow sheets, Electro-polished stainless steel strips
What are common misclassifications for HS code 722090?
This code is a catch-all, so misclassification can occur if a product actually fits a more specific hot-rolled (72201X) or cold-rolled (722020) category, or even other stainless steel product codes if the "flat-rolled, width less than 600mm" criteria are not strictly met.
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 722090?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 722090 in UN Comtrade data were Japan ($68M, 14% of world exports), China ($68M) and South Korea ($52M). World exports came to about $472M, 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 722090?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 722090 in UN Comtrade data were China ($62M, 11% of world imports), India ($53M) and Italy ($45M). World imports came to about $566M, 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 722090 structured?
HS code 722090 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 (90) specify the subheading. This code is standardized globally by the World Customs Organization.
What is the Brazil NCM code for HS code 722090?
In Brazil, HS code 722090 is NCM 7220.90.00. The last two digits are 00 because Brazil does not split this HS code further.