HS code · 6-digit subheading
HS Code 7229.90 – Steel, alloy; wire, of materials other than silico-manganese steel
HS code 7229.90 is the 6-digit subheading for steel, alloy, wire, of materials other than silico-manganese steel. It is used for stainless steel wire (alloy), high-carbon alloy steel wire, welding wire (alloy), aerospace alloy wire and medical grade alloy wire.
What HS 7229.90 covers
This HS code serves as a residual category for alloy steel wire made from materials other than silico-manganese steel. It encompasses a vast array of specialized wires, each with unique alloy compositions (e.g., stainless steel, chrome-vanadium steel, tool steel alloys) tailored for specific performance requirements. These wires offer enhanced properties such as superior corrosion resistance, high temperature strength, wear resistance, or specific electrical characteristics. They find applications across diverse high-tech industries, including aerospace, medical devices, welding, specialized fasteners, and electrical components. Trade in this category reflects the global demand for advanced materials in sophisticated manufacturing. Importers are typically industries requiring high-performance, application-specific wires, while exporters are specialized steel mills capable of producing a wide range of custom alloy wire products. Accurate identification of the specific alloy is crucial for proper classification.
- Covers
- Stainless steel wire (alloy)
- High-carbon alloy steel wire
- Welding wire (alloy)
- Aerospace alloy wire
- Medical grade alloy wire
- Tool steel wire
- Heat-resistant alloy wire
- Examples
- Sandvik stainless steel wire
- Lincoln Electric alloy welding wire
- Carpenter Technology specialty alloy wire
- Bekaert high-performance wire
Codes often confused with 7229.90
Common mistake. Often confused with 722920 (silico-manganese steel wire) if the specific alloy type is not known, or 7217 (non-alloy steel wire) if the alloy content is not properly declared.
Top exporters and importers of HS code 722990, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 722990 in UN Comtrade data was South Korea, with 13% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Germany, with 13% 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 South Korea $226M 13% of world exports
- 2 Japan $208M 12% of world exports
- 3 Germany $198M 12% of world exports
World total: $1.7B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 Germany $227M 13% of world imports
- 2 Poland $124M 7.2% of world imports
- 3 United States $120M 6.9% of world imports
World total: $1.7B 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 7229.90
Brazil does not split HS 7229.90: its NCM code is 7229.90.00.
All Brazil NCM codes in heading 72.29 →
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 7229.90
What is HS code 722990?
HS code 722990 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Steel, alloy; wire, of materials other than silico-manganese steel. This HS code serves as a residual category for alloy steel wire made from materials other than silico-manganese steel. It encompasses a vast array of specialized wires, each with unique alloy compositions (e.g., stainless steel, chrome-vanadium steel, tool steel alloys) tailored for specific performance requirements. These wires offer enhanced properties such as superior corrosion resistance, high temperature strength, wear resistance, or specific electrical characteristics. They find applications across diverse high-tech industries, including aerospace, medical devices, welding, specialized fasteners, and electrical components. Trade in this category reflects the global demand for advanced materials in sophisticated manufacturing. Importers are typically industries requiring high-performance, application-specific wires, while exporters are specialized steel mills capable of producing a wide range of custom alloy wire products. Accurate identification of the specific alloy is crucial for proper classification.
What products fall under HS code 722990?
Stainless steel wire (alloy), High-carbon alloy steel wire, Welding wire (alloy), Aerospace alloy wire, Medical grade alloy wire, Tool steel wire, Heat-resistant alloy wire
What are common misclassifications for HS code 722990?
Often confused with 722920 (silico-manganese steel wire) if the specific alloy type is not known, or 7217 (non-alloy steel wire) if the alloy content is not properly declared.
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 722990?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 722990 in UN Comtrade data were South Korea ($226M, 13% of world exports), Japan ($208M) and Germany ($198M). World exports came to about $1.7B, 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 722990?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 722990 in UN Comtrade data were Germany ($227M, 13% of world imports), Poland ($124M) and the United States ($120M). World imports came to about $1.7B, 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.
How is HS code 722990 structured?
HS code 722990 is a 6-digit subheading under the Harmonized System. The first 2 digits (72) identify the chapter, digits 3-4 (29) identify the heading, and digits 5-6 (90) specify the subheading. This code is standardized globally by the World Customs Organization.
What is the Brazil NCM code for HS code 722990?
In Brazil, HS code 722990 is NCM 7229.90.00. The last two digits are 00 because Brazil does not split this HS code further.