HS code · 4-digit heading
HS Code 72.27 – Steel, alloy; bars and rods, hot-rolled, in irregularly wound coils
What HS 72.27 covers
Heading 7227 specifically covers "Steel, alloy; bars and rods, hot-rolled, in irregularly wound coils." This classification is essential for the global steel trade, particularly for industries engaged in further processing of steel. The heading's scope is precise: it must be alloy steel (meaning it contains specific alloying elements beyond carbon, such as manganese, silicon, chromium, etc., to enhance properties), it must be in the form of bars and rods, and crucially, it must be hot-rolled and presented in irregularly wound coils. This 'irregularly wound' characteristic is key, distinguishing it from precision-wound coils or straight lengths. This form is typical for wire rod, which is an intermediate product destined for wire drawing, cold heading, or other secondary manufacturing processes. Sub-categories within 7227 arise from the specific alloy composition (e.g., spring steel, bearing steel, tool steel, high-tensile steel) and the cross-sectional dimensions of the bars or rods. Accurate classification is paramount for trade compliance, affecting tariffs, quotas, and the application of trade remedies like anti-dumping duties, which are common in the steel sector. This heading reflects the fundamental role of intermediate steel products in the supply chain, supporting downstream industries from automotive to construction and manufacturing. It sits within Chapter 72 (Iron and Steel), specifically addressing alloy steel bars and rods in a particular form, complementing other bar/rod categories by defining a specific manufacturing process and presentation.
- Covers
- Hot-rolled alloy steel wire rod for springs
- Bearing steel wire rod
- Tool steel wire rod for cutting tools
- High-strength alloy steel wire rod for fasteners
- Welding electrode core wire rod
- Cold heading quality (CHQ) alloy steel wire rod
- Stainless steel wire rod (if alloy type)
- Reinforcing steel wire rod (if alloyed)
- Valve spring steel wire rod
- Tire cord steel wire rod
- Chain steel wire rod
- Mining cable steel wire rod
- Automotive component steel wire rod
- Construction rebar coils (if alloyed)
- Specialized alloy steel for aerospace fasteners
- Alloy steel for surgical implants (pre-processing)
- High-carbon alloy steel rod for wire drawing
- Low-alloy steel rod for mesh production
- Alloy steel rod for agricultural machinery
- Wear-resistant alloy steel rod for grinding media.
- Examples
A European spring manufacturer regularly imports hot-rolled spring steel wire rods in irregularly wound coils from India. These rods are then drawn into fine wire for automotive suspension springs, shipped efficiently via container vessels through the Suez Canal. In North America, a leading fastener company sources high-strength alloy steel wire rod in coils from Japan, which is subsequently processed into industrial bolts and screws, requiring stringent material specifications for structural integrity. Furthermore, a major Chinese construction firm might import specialized alloy steel wire rods from Brazil for reinforcing concrete in high-stress infrastructure projects, where local steel supplies may not meet specific alloy or performance requirements.
Subheadings under 72.27 3
Codes often confused with 72.27
Common mistake. A primary misclassification risk involves distinguishing 7227 from 7213, which covers non-alloy steel bars and rods, hot-rolled, in irregularly wound coils. The critical difference is the 'alloy' content; traders must verify the presence and percentages of alloying elements. Another common error is confusing 7227 (wire rod) with 7229 (finished wire of other alloy steel); wire rod is an intermediate product, typically larger in diameter and with a rougher surface than finished wire. Lastly, products under 7227 are sometimes mistakenly classified under 7228, which covers other alloy steel bars, rods, shapes, and sections, but specifically excludes the 'hot-rolled, in irregularly wound coils' characteristic of 7227.
Top exporters and importers of HS code 7227, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 7227 in UN Comtrade data was China, with 27% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Thailand, with 14% 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 $940M 27% of world exports
- 2 Japan $568M 16% of world exports
- 3 Germany $411M 12% of world exports
World total: $3.5B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 Thailand $555M 14% of world imports
- 2 United States $487M 13% of world imports
- 3 Germany $349M 9.0% of world imports
World total: $3.9B 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 72.27
What is HS code 7227?
HS code 7227 is a 4-digit heading in the Harmonized System that covers: Steel, alloy; bars and rods, hot-rolled, in irregularly wound coils. Heading 7227 specifically covers "Steel, alloy; bars and rods, hot-rolled, in irregularly wound coils." This classification is essential for the global steel trade, particularly for industries engaged in further processing of steel. The heading's scope is precise: it must be alloy steel (meaning it contains specific alloying elements beyond carbon, such as manganese, silicon, chromium, etc., to enhance properties), it must be in the form of bars and rods, and crucially, it must be hot-rolled and presented in irregularly wound coils. This 'irregularly wound' characteristic is key, distinguishing it from precision-wound coils or straight lengths. This form is typical for wire rod, which is an intermediate product destined for wire drawing, cold heading, or other secondary manufacturing processes. Sub-categories within 7227 arise from the specific alloy composition (e.g., spring steel, bearing steel, tool steel, high-tensile steel) and the cross-sectional dimensions of the bars or rods. Accurate classification is paramount for trade compliance, affecting tariffs, quotas, and the application of trade remedies like anti-dumping duties, which are common in the steel sector. This heading reflects the fundamental role of intermediate steel products in the supply chain, supporting downstream industries from automotive to construction and manufacturing. It sits within Chapter 72 (Iron and Steel), specifically addressing alloy steel bars and rods in a particular form, complementing other bar/rod categories by defining a specific manufacturing process and presentation.
What products fall under HS code 7227?
Hot-rolled alloy steel wire rod for springs, bearing steel wire rod, tool steel wire rod for cutting tools, high-strength alloy steel wire rod for fasteners, welding electrode core wire rod, cold heading quality (CHQ) alloy steel wire rod, stainless steel wire rod (if alloy type), reinforcing steel wire rod (if alloyed), valve spring steel wire rod, tire cord steel wire rod, chain steel wire rod, mining cable steel wire rod, automotive component steel wire rod, construction rebar coils (if alloyed), specialized alloy steel for aerospace fasteners, alloy steel for surgical implants (pre-processing), high-carbon alloy steel rod for wire drawing, low-alloy steel rod for mesh production, alloy steel rod for agricultural machinery, wear-resistant alloy steel rod for grinding media.
What are common misclassifications for HS code 7227?
A primary misclassification risk involves distinguishing 7227 from 7213, which covers non-alloy steel bars and rods, hot-rolled, in irregularly wound coils. The critical difference is the 'alloy' content; traders must verify the presence and percentages of alloying elements. Another common error is confusing 7227 (wire rod) with 7229 (finished wire of other alloy steel); wire rod is an intermediate product, typically larger in diameter and with a rougher surface than finished wire. Lastly, products under 7227 are sometimes mistakenly classified under 7228, which covers other alloy steel bars, rods, shapes, and sections, but specifically excludes the 'hot-rolled, in irregularly wound coils' characteristic of 7227.
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 7227?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 7227 in UN Comtrade data were China ($940M, 27% of world exports), Japan ($568M) and Germany ($411M). World exports came to about $3.5B, 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 7227?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 7227 in UN Comtrade data were Thailand ($555M, 14% of world imports), the United States ($487M) and Germany ($349M). World imports 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.
How is HS code 7227 structured?
HS code 7227 is a 4-digit heading under Chapter 72 of the Harmonized System. The first 2 digits (72) identify the chapter, and digits 3-4 (27) specify the heading. This code contains multiple 6-digit subheadings for precise product classification.