HS code · 6-digit subheading
HS Code 7226.20 – Steel, alloy; flat-rolled, width less than 600mm, of high speed steel
HS code 7226.20 is the 6-digit subheading for steel, alloy, flat-rolled, width less than 600mm, of high speed steel. It is used for high-speed steel strips, HSS tool blanks, HSS saw blade material, HSS drill bit stock and HSS cutting tool inserts.
What HS 7226.20 covers
This HS code specifically covers flat-rolled alloy steel, less than 600mm wide, made from high-speed steel (HSS). HSS is a highly specialized tool steel renowned for its exceptional hardness, wear resistance, and ability to maintain a sharp cutting edge even at elevated temperatures. It is primarily utilized in the manufacturing of high-performance cutting tools, including drills, milling cutters, saw blades, taps, and reamers. Importers are typically tool manufacturers, precision engineering firms, and specialized machinery producers. Exporters are a limited number of high-alloy steel producers with advanced metallurgical expertise. Trade in HSS is a niche but critical component of the global manufacturing supply chain, essential for machining and fabrication industries requiring precise and durable tooling.
- Covers
- High-speed steel strips
- HSS tool blanks
- HSS saw blade material
- HSS drill bit stock
- HSS cutting tool inserts
- HSS reamer stock
- Examples
- Bohler S600
- Sandvik Coromant HSS
- Kennametal HSS
- Sumitomo HSS
- Hitachi Metals HSS
Codes often confused with 7226.20
Common mistake. Can be confused with other alloy tool steels (e.g., under 7228) if the 'high-speed' characteristic, referring to its ability to retain hardness at high temperatures, is not confirmed. Other flat-rolled alloy steels (e.g., 722691, 722692) are not HSS and have different applications.
Top exporters and importers of HS code 722620, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 722620 in UN Comtrade data was Sweden, with 26% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was China, with 28% 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 Sweden $12M 26% of world exports
- 2 Japan $7.9M 18% of world exports
- 3 Germany $6.8M 15% of world exports
World total: $44M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 China $17M 28% of world imports
- 2 Italy $5.7M 9.5% of world imports
- 3 United States $4.5M 7.4% of world imports
World total: $60M 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 codes for 7226.20 2
Brazil splits HS 7226.20 into 2 NCM codes, Mercosur's 8-digit tariff lines.
- 7226.20.10 Narrow high speed steel, 1-4 mm thickDe espessura igual ou superior a 1 mm, mas não superior a 4 mm
- 7226.20.90 Other narrow high speed steel flatsOutros
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 7226.20
What is HS code 722620?
HS code 722620 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Steel, alloy; flat-rolled, width less than 600mm, of high speed steel. This HS code specifically covers flat-rolled alloy steel, less than 600mm wide, made from high-speed steel (HSS). HSS is a highly specialized tool steel renowned for its exceptional hardness, wear resistance, and ability to maintain a sharp cutting edge even at elevated temperatures. It is primarily utilized in the manufacturing of high-performance cutting tools, including drills, milling cutters, saw blades, taps, and reamers. Importers are typically tool manufacturers, precision engineering firms, and specialized machinery producers. Exporters are a limited number of high-alloy steel producers with advanced metallurgical expertise. Trade in HSS is a niche but critical component of the global manufacturing supply chain, essential for machining and fabrication industries requiring precise and durable tooling.
What products fall under HS code 722620?
High-speed steel strips, HSS tool blanks, HSS saw blade material, HSS drill bit stock, HSS cutting tool inserts, HSS reamer stock
What are common misclassifications for HS code 722620?
Can be confused with other alloy tool steels (e.g., under 7228) if the 'high-speed' characteristic, referring to its ability to retain hardness at high temperatures, is not confirmed. Other flat-rolled alloy steels (e.g., 722691, 722692) are not HSS and have different applications.
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 722620?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 722620 in UN Comtrade data were Sweden ($12M, 26% of world exports), Japan ($7.9M) and Germany ($6.8M). World exports came to about $44M, 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 722620?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 722620 in UN Comtrade data were China ($17M, 28% of world imports), Italy ($5.7M) and the United States ($4.5M). World imports came to about $60M, 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 722620 structured?
HS code 722620 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 (20) specify the subheading. This code is standardized globally by the World Customs Organization.
What is the Brazil NCM code for HS code 722620?
Brazil splits HS code 722620 into 2 NCM codes: 7226.20.10 (Narrow high speed steel, 1-4 mm thick), 7226.20.90 (Other narrow high speed steel flats). The first 6 digits of each match the HS code.