HS code · 6-digit subheading
HS Code 7226.11 – Steel, alloy; flat-rolled, width less than 600mm, of silicon-electrical steel, grain-oriented
HS code 7226.11 is the 6-digit subheading for steel, alloy, flat-rolled, width less than 600mm, of silicon-electrical steel, grain-oriented. It is used for grain-oriented electrical steel strips, transformer core laminations, GOES strips, high-permeability electrical steel and power transformer steel.
What HS 7226.11 covers
This HS code covers grain-oriented electrical steel (GOES), flat-rolled with a width less than 600mm. This highly specialized alloy steel is engineered to exhibit superior magnetic properties primarily in the rolling direction, making it indispensable for high-efficiency power and distribution transformers. The precise grain orientation significantly minimizes energy losses (core losses), which is critical for energy conservation and grid stability. Importers are typically manufacturers of electrical transformers, large generators, and other high-performance electrical equipment. Exporters are a limited number of highly specialized steel mills with advanced processing capabilities. Trade is driven by global demand for energy infrastructure upgrades and the increasing focus on energy efficiency.
- Covers
- Grain-oriented electrical steel strips
- Transformer core laminations
- GOES strips
- High-permeability electrical steel
- Power transformer steel
- Amorphous metal strips for transformers
- Examples
- Nippon Steel HI-B
- POSCO Hyper NO
- ArcelorMittal M3
- ThyssenKrupp PowerCore
- JFE Steel JFE-Core
Codes often confused with 7226.11
Common mistake. Can be confused with 722619, which covers non-grain oriented electrical steel of the same width, or 722511, which is grain-oriented electrical steel but with a width of 600mm or more. The 'grain-oriented' characteristic is crucial for correct classification.
Top exporters and importers of HS code 722611, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 722611 in UN Comtrade data was Germany, with 14% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Germany, with 9.0% 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 $81M 14% of world exports
- 2 France $78M 14% of world exports
- 3 China $71M 13% of world exports
World total: $564M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 Germany $60M 9.0% of world imports
- 2 Spain $57M 8.6% of world imports
- 3 China $46M 6.9% of world imports
World total: $664M 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 7226.11
Brazil does not split HS 7226.11: its NCM code is 7226.11.00.
All Brazil NCM codes in heading 72.26 →
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 7226.11
What is HS code 722611?
HS code 722611 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Steel, alloy; flat-rolled, width less than 600mm, of silicon-electrical steel, grain-oriented. This HS code covers grain-oriented electrical steel (GOES), flat-rolled with a width less than 600mm. This highly specialized alloy steel is engineered to exhibit superior magnetic properties primarily in the rolling direction, making it indispensable for high-efficiency power and distribution transformers. The precise grain orientation significantly minimizes energy losses (core losses), which is critical for energy conservation and grid stability. Importers are typically manufacturers of electrical transformers, large generators, and other high-performance electrical equipment. Exporters are a limited number of highly specialized steel mills with advanced processing capabilities. Trade is driven by global demand for energy infrastructure upgrades and the increasing focus on energy efficiency.
What products fall under HS code 722611?
Grain-oriented electrical steel strips, transformer core laminations, GOES strips, high-permeability electrical steel, power transformer steel, amorphous metal strips for transformers
What are common misclassifications for HS code 722611?
Can be confused with 722619, which covers non-grain oriented electrical steel of the same width, or 722511, which is grain-oriented electrical steel but with a width of 600mm or more. The 'grain-oriented' characteristic is crucial for correct classification.
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 722611?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 722611 in UN Comtrade data were Germany ($81M, 14% of world exports), France ($78M) and China ($71M). World exports came to about $564M, 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 722611?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 722611 in UN Comtrade data were Germany ($60M, 9.0% of world imports), Spain ($57M) and China ($46M). World imports came to about $664M, 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 722611 structured?
HS code 722611 is a 6-digit subheading under the Harmonized System. The first 2 digits (72) identify the chapter, digits 3-4 (26) identify the heading, and digits 5-6 (11) specify the subheading. This code is standardized globally by the World Customs Organization.
What is the Brazil NCM code for HS code 722611?
In Brazil, HS code 722611 is NCM 7226.11.00. The last two digits are 00 because Brazil does not split this HS code further.