HS code · 4-digit heading
HS Code 72.25 – Alloy steel flat-rolled products, of a width 600mm or more
What HS 72.25 covers
HS Heading 7225 covers 'Alloy steel flat-rolled products, of a width 600mm or more.' This classification is highly specific, combining three key criteria: the material (alloy steel, but not stainless), the form (flat-rolled products, meaning sheets, plates, or coils), and a significant dimensional characteristic (width of 600mm or more). This distinguishes it from narrower flat-rolled products and from stainless steel flat-rolled products. These materials are engineered to offer enhanced properties like higher strength, toughness, abrasion resistance, or heat resistance compared to non-alloy steels, making them indispensable in demanding applications. They are typically supplied in hot-rolled or cold-rolled conditions, sometimes with various surface treatments. Within Chapter 72 (Iron and Steel), this heading is crucial for separating high-value, specialized alloy steels from their non-alloy or stainless counterparts. Accurate classification is paramount for trade compliance, as these products are often subject to specific tariffs, anti-dumping duties, and technical standards due to their critical applications. They form the backbone of industries such as automotive, shipbuilding, construction equipment, pressure vessels, and heavy machinery, representing a significant segment of global steel trade.
- Covers
- Alloy steel plates (width 600mm+)
- Alloy steel sheets (width 600mm+)
- Alloy steel coils (hot-rolled, width 600mm+)
- Alloy steel strips (hot-rolled, width 600mm+)
- High-strength low-alloy (HSLA) plates
- Abrasion-resistant alloy steel plates
- Tool steel plates
- Boiler quality alloy steel plates
- Pressure vessel alloy steel plates
- Quenched and tempered alloy steel plates
- Automotive structural alloy steel sheets
- Shipbuilding alloy steel plates
- Wear plates
- Armor plates
- Chrome-molybdenum alloy steel plates
- Manganese alloy steel plates
- Silicon alloy steel sheets
- Nickel alloy steel plates
- Vanadium alloy steel coils
- Construction equipment alloy steel plates
- Mining machinery alloy steel plates
- Offshore platform alloy steel plates
- Wind turbine tower plates
- Examples
A South Korean steel producer exports large volumes of high-strength low-alloy (HSLA) steel plates (7225) to a shipyard in the United States for constructing naval vessels and commercial ships, navigating trans-Pacific shipping lanes and specific defense procurement regulations. In another instance, a German mill ships specialized abrasion-resistant alloy steel plates to a Brazilian manufacturer of heavy construction and mining equipment, often involving complex logistics and adherence to stringent quality controls. Furthermore, a Chinese company exports automotive-grade alloy steel sheets in coils to stamping plants in Eastern Europe, where they are used for vehicle chassis and structural components, benefiting from competitive pricing and established rail and sea routes.
Subheadings under 72.25 8
Codes often confused with 72.25
Common mistake. Common misclassification for HS 7225 often stems from overlooking the material type ('alloy steel,' not stainless) or the dimensional requirement ('width 600mm or more'). Traders might mistakenly classify stainless steel flat-rolled products (e.g., 7219 or 7220) under this heading; the 'alloy steel' here explicitly excludes stainless steel. Another frequent error is classifying non-alloy steel flat-rolled products (e.g., 7208, 7209, 7210) under 7225, ignoring the crucial alloying elements. Furthermore, flat-rolled products with a width of less than 600mm, even if they are alloy steel, should be classified under 7226, not 7225. Always verify the material composition, the flat-rolled form, and critically, the width to ensure accurate classification.
Top exporters and importers of HS code 7225, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 7225 in UN Comtrade data was China, with 15% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Mexico, 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 China $4.7B 15% of world exports
- 2 Japan $4.6B 14% of world exports
- 3 Germany $3.4B 10% of world exports
World total: $32.7B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 Mexico $3.5B 11% of world imports
- 2 Germany $2.3B 7.1% of world imports
- 3 India $2.1B 6.4% of world imports
World total: $32.4B 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 72.25
What is HS code 7225?
HS code 7225 is a 4-digit heading in the Harmonized System that covers: Alloy steel flat-rolled products, of a width 600mm or more. HS Heading 7225 covers 'Alloy steel flat-rolled products, of a width 600mm or more.' This classification is highly specific, combining three key criteria: the material (alloy steel, but not stainless), the form (flat-rolled products, meaning sheets, plates, or coils), and a significant dimensional characteristic (width of 600mm or more). This distinguishes it from narrower flat-rolled products and from stainless steel flat-rolled products. These materials are engineered to offer enhanced properties like higher strength, toughness, abrasion resistance, or heat resistance compared to non-alloy steels, making them indispensable in demanding applications. They are typically supplied in hot-rolled or cold-rolled conditions, sometimes with various surface treatments. Within Chapter 72 (Iron and Steel), this heading is crucial for separating high-value, specialized alloy steels from their non-alloy or stainless counterparts. Accurate classification is paramount for trade compliance, as these products are often subject to specific tariffs, anti-dumping duties, and technical standards due to their critical applications. They form the backbone of industries such as automotive, shipbuilding, construction equipment, pressure vessels, and heavy machinery, representing a significant segment of global steel trade.
What products fall under HS code 7225?
Alloy steel plates (width 600mm+), alloy steel sheets (width 600mm+), alloy steel coils (hot-rolled, width 600mm+), alloy steel strips (hot-rolled, width 600mm+), high-strength low-alloy (HSLA) plates, abrasion-resistant alloy steel plates, tool steel plates, boiler quality alloy steel plates, pressure vessel alloy steel plates, quenched and tempered alloy steel plates, automotive structural alloy steel sheets, shipbuilding alloy steel plates, wear plates, armor plates, chrome-molybdenum alloy steel plates, manganese alloy steel plates, silicon alloy steel sheets, nickel alloy steel plates, vanadium alloy steel coils, construction equipment alloy steel plates, mining machinery alloy steel plates, offshore platform alloy steel plates, wind turbine tower plates
What are common misclassifications for HS code 7225?
Common misclassification for HS 7225 often stems from overlooking the material type ('alloy steel,' not stainless) or the dimensional requirement ('width 600mm or more'). Traders might mistakenly classify stainless steel flat-rolled products (e.g., 7219 or 7220) under this heading; the 'alloy steel' here explicitly excludes stainless steel. Another frequent error is classifying non-alloy steel flat-rolled products (e.g., 7208, 7209, 7210) under 7225, ignoring the crucial alloying elements. Furthermore, flat-rolled products with a width of less than 600mm, even if they are alloy steel, should be classified under 7226, not 7225. Always verify the material composition, the flat-rolled form, and critically, the width to ensure accurate classification.
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 7225?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 7225 in UN Comtrade data were China ($4.7B, 15% of world exports), Japan ($4.6B) and Germany ($3.4B). World exports came to about $32.7B, 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 7225?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 7225 in UN Comtrade data were Mexico ($3.5B, 11% of world imports), Germany ($2.3B) and India ($2.1B). World imports came to about $32.4B, 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 7225 structured?
HS code 7225 is a 4-digit heading under Chapter 72 of the Harmonized System. The first 2 digits (72) identify the chapter, and digits 3-4 (25) specify the heading. This code contains multiple 6-digit subheadings for precise product classification.