HS code · 4-digit heading
HS Code 72.24 – Alloy steel in ingots or other primary forms, semi-finished products of other alloy steel
What HS 72.24 covers
HS Heading 7224 encompasses 'Alloy steel in ingots or other primary forms, semi-finished products of other alloy steel.' This classification is crucial for products that are in the earliest stages of alloy steel production, specifically those not classified as stainless steel. 'Other alloy steel' refers to steels alloyed with elements like manganese, silicon, nickel, chromium (but below the stainless steel threshold), molybdenum, vanadium, and tungsten, to impart specific properties such as increased strength, hardness, toughness, or corrosion resistance (but not primarily as stainless). The heading covers primary forms like ingots (solid blocks of cast metal) and semi-finished products such as blooms, billets, and slabs, which are intermediate forms for further rolling or forging. These products are essentially raw materials for downstream manufacturing into finished steel products. This heading resides within Chapter 72 (Iron and Steel) and is distinct from stainless steel (7218) and non-alloy steel (7206, 7207). Accurate classification is vital for trade compliance, affecting import duties, anti-dumping measures, and the application of origin rules, which are significant for bulk commodities. Historically, the trade in these primary and semi-finished forms has been a cornerstone of industrial economies, enabling specialized steel production globally.
- Covers
- Alloy steel ingots
- Alloy steel blooms
- Alloy steel billets
- Alloy steel slabs
- Alloy steel continuously cast semi-finished products
- Tool steel ingots
- High-speed steel billets
- Die steel slabs
- Spring steel blooms
- Bearing steel billets
- Structural alloy steel ingots
- Heat-resistant alloy steel blooms
- Wear-resistant alloy steel billets
- Automotive grade alloy steel slabs
- Machinery grade alloy steel billets
- Turbine grade alloy steel ingots
- Aerospace alloy steel blooms
- Oil and gas industry alloy steel slabs
- Specialty alloy forging stock
- Alloy steel rerolling stock
- Alloy steel casting ingots
- Alloy steel remelting ingots
- Alloy steel vacuum arc remelted ingots
- Alloy steel electroslag remelted ingots
- Examples
A Japanese steel mill exports high-quality alloy steel billets (7224) to an automotive forging plant in Mexico, where they are further processed into crankshafts and connecting rods for car engines, leveraging trans-Pacific shipping routes and NAFTA/USMCA benefits. In another scenario, a Russian producer ships large alloy steel slabs to a European rolling mill that specializes in heavy plates for shipbuilding and industrial machinery, navigating complex logistics across the Baltic Sea. Furthermore, a Chinese steel manufacturer supplies various alloy steel ingots to foundries in Southeast Asia, which then produce specialized castings for mining equipment and heavy construction machinery, benefiting from regional trade agreements and competitive pricing.
Subheadings under 72.24 2
Codes often confused with 72.24
Common mistake. Common misclassification mistakes for HS 7224 often revolve around material composition and stage of processing. Traders might confuse 'other alloy steel' with 'stainless steel' (7218), which is a distinct category with specific chromium content requirements. The key is to verify the exact alloying elements and their percentages. Another frequent error is classifying non-alloy steel ingots or semi-finished products (7206 or 7207) under 7224, overlooking the presence of alloying elements that define 'alloy steel.' Also, it's crucial to distinguish these primary/semi-finished forms from finished products like bars, rods, or flat-rolled products (e.g., 7222 or 7225), which have undergone further shaping or finishing. The term 'semi-finished' implies it's not ready for end-use without significant further processing.
Top exporters and importers of HS code 7224, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 7224 in UN Comtrade data was Brazil, with 23% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was the United States, with 38% 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 Brazil $819M 23% of world exports
- 2 Germany $433M 12% of world exports
- 3 Italy $244M 6.8% of world exports
World total: $3.6B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 United States $1.7B 38% of world imports
- 2 United Kingdom $339M 7.9% of world imports
- 3 Germany $265M 6.2% of world imports
World total: $4.3B 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 72.24
What is HS code 7224?
HS code 7224 is a 4-digit heading in the Harmonized System that covers: Alloy steel in ingots or other primary forms, semi-finished products of other alloy steel. HS Heading 7224 encompasses 'Alloy steel in ingots or other primary forms, semi-finished products of other alloy steel.' This classification is crucial for products that are in the earliest stages of alloy steel production, specifically those not classified as stainless steel. 'Other alloy steel' refers to steels alloyed with elements like manganese, silicon, nickel, chromium (but below the stainless steel threshold), molybdenum, vanadium, and tungsten, to impart specific properties such as increased strength, hardness, toughness, or corrosion resistance (but not primarily as stainless). The heading covers primary forms like ingots (solid blocks of cast metal) and semi-finished products such as blooms, billets, and slabs, which are intermediate forms for further rolling or forging. These products are essentially raw materials for downstream manufacturing into finished steel products. This heading resides within Chapter 72 (Iron and Steel) and is distinct from stainless steel (7218) and non-alloy steel (7206, 7207). Accurate classification is vital for trade compliance, affecting import duties, anti-dumping measures, and the application of origin rules, which are significant for bulk commodities. Historically, the trade in these primary and semi-finished forms has been a cornerstone of industrial economies, enabling specialized steel production globally.
What products fall under HS code 7224?
Alloy steel ingots, alloy steel blooms, alloy steel billets, alloy steel slabs, alloy steel continuously cast semi-finished products, tool steel ingots, high-speed steel billets, die steel slabs, spring steel blooms, bearing steel billets, structural alloy steel ingots, heat-resistant alloy steel blooms, wear-resistant alloy steel billets, automotive grade alloy steel slabs, machinery grade alloy steel billets, turbine grade alloy steel ingots, aerospace alloy steel blooms, oil and gas industry alloy steel slabs, specialty alloy forging stock, alloy steel rerolling stock, alloy steel casting ingots, alloy steel remelting ingots, alloy steel vacuum arc remelted ingots, alloy steel electroslag remelted ingots
What are common misclassifications for HS code 7224?
Common misclassification mistakes for HS 7224 often revolve around material composition and stage of processing. Traders might confuse 'other alloy steel' with 'stainless steel' (7218), which is a distinct category with specific chromium content requirements. The key is to verify the exact alloying elements and their percentages. Another frequent error is classifying non-alloy steel ingots or semi-finished products (7206 or 7207) under 7224, overlooking the presence of alloying elements that define 'alloy steel.' Also, it's crucial to distinguish these primary/semi-finished forms from finished products like bars, rods, or flat-rolled products (e.g., 7222 or 7225), which have undergone further shaping or finishing. The term 'semi-finished' implies it's not ready for end-use without significant further processing.
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 7224?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 7224 in UN Comtrade data were Brazil ($819M, 23% of world exports), Germany ($433M) and Italy ($244M). World exports came to about $3.6B, 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 7224?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 7224 in UN Comtrade data were the United States ($1.7B, 38% of world imports), the United Kingdom ($339M) and Germany ($265M). World imports 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.
How is HS code 7224 structured?
HS code 7224 is a 4-digit heading under Chapter 72 of the Harmonized System. The first 2 digits (72) identify the chapter, and digits 3-4 (24) specify the heading. This code contains multiple 6-digit subheadings for precise product classification.