HS code · 6-digit subheading
HS Code 7222.20 – Steel, stainless; bars and rods, cold-formed or cold-finished
HS code 7222.20 is the 6-digit subheading for steel, stainless, bars and rods, cold-formed or cold-finished. It is used for cold-drawn stainless steel bars, ground stainless steel rods, polished stainless steel shafts, cold-rolled stainless steel flats and precision stainless steel bars.
What HS 7222.20 covers
This category encompasses stainless steel bars and rods that have undergone cold-forming or cold-finishing processes. These processes, such as cold drawing, cold rolling, or grinding, result in products with superior surface finish, tighter dimensional tolerances, and enhanced mechanical properties (e.g., increased tensile strength and hardness) compared to their hot-worked counterparts. These precision-engineered materials are indispensable for high-performance applications in industries like automotive, aerospace, medical devices, precision machinery, and consumer electronics. Countries with advanced manufacturing and engineering sectors, such as Germany, Switzerland, Japan, and the USA, are significant producers and exporters, known for their high-quality cold-finished products. Importers include nations with sophisticated manufacturing bases that require components with exact specifications and aesthetic appeal. The trade is driven by demand for precision parts, where material consistency and surface quality are critical. Buyers often specify specific grades (e.g., 303, 304, 316), surface roughness, and straightness.
- Covers
- Cold-drawn stainless steel bars
- Ground stainless steel rods
- Polished stainless steel shafts
- Cold-rolled stainless steel flats
- Precision stainless steel bars
- Stainless steel bright bars
- Stainless steel turned bars
- Examples
- BGH Edelstahl cold-finished bars
- Ugitech cold-drawn rods
- Carpenter Technology precision bars
- Valbruna cold-finished rounds
Codes often confused with 7222.20
Common mistake. This code is distinguished from 722211 and 722219 by the cold-working process, which imparts different properties and surface finishes. Confusion can arise if the processing method is not clearly specified, as hot-worked products can sometimes be mistaken for cold-finished if only visual inspection is performed.
Top exporters and importers of HS code 722220, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 722220 in UN Comtrade data was Italy, with 20% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Germany, with 16% 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 Italy $784M 20% of world exports
- 2 India $571M 15% of world exports
- 3 Germany $415M 11% of world exports
World total: $3.9B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 Germany $610M 16% of world imports
- 2 United States $443M 12% of world imports
- 3 United Kingdom $175M 4.6% of world imports
World total: $3.8B 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 7222.20
Brazil does not split HS 7222.20: its NCM code is 7222.20.00.
All Brazil NCM codes in heading 72.22 →
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 7222.20
What is HS code 722220?
HS code 722220 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Steel, stainless; bars and rods, cold-formed or cold-finished. This category encompasses stainless steel bars and rods that have undergone cold-forming or cold-finishing processes. These processes, such as cold drawing, cold rolling, or grinding, result in products with superior surface finish, tighter dimensional tolerances, and enhanced mechanical properties (e.g., increased tensile strength and hardness) compared to their hot-worked counterparts. These precision-engineered materials are indispensable for high-performance applications in industries like automotive, aerospace, medical devices, precision machinery, and consumer electronics. Countries with advanced manufacturing and engineering sectors, such as Germany, Switzerland, Japan, and the USA, are significant producers and exporters, known for their high-quality cold-finished products. Importers include nations with sophisticated manufacturing bases that require components with exact specifications and aesthetic appeal. The trade is driven by demand for precision parts, where material consistency and surface quality are critical. Buyers often specify specific grades (e.g., 303, 304, 316), surface roughness, and straightness.
What products fall under HS code 722220?
Cold-drawn stainless steel bars, Ground stainless steel rods, Polished stainless steel shafts, Cold-rolled stainless steel flats, Precision stainless steel bars, Stainless steel bright bars, Stainless steel turned bars
What are common misclassifications for HS code 722220?
This code is distinguished from 722211 and 722219 by the cold-working process, which imparts different properties and surface finishes. Confusion can arise if the processing method is not clearly specified, as hot-worked products can sometimes be mistaken for cold-finished if only visual inspection is performed.
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 722220?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 722220 in UN Comtrade data were Italy ($784M, 20% of world exports), India ($571M) and Germany ($415M). World exports came to about $3.9B, 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 722220?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 722220 in UN Comtrade data were Germany ($610M, 16% of world imports), the United States ($443M) and the United Kingdom ($175M). World imports came to about $3.8B, 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 722220 structured?
HS code 722220 is a 6-digit subheading under the Harmonized System. The first 2 digits (72) identify the chapter, digits 3-4 (22) 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 722220?
In Brazil, HS code 722220 is NCM 7222.20.00. The last two digits are 00 because Brazil does not split this HS code further.