Product classification
HS code for Arc welding wire: 8311.20
Wire, cored, of base metal, for electric arc-welding.
Classification of arc welding wire under HS 8311.20
Arc welding wire that is cored with flux or other materials is classified under HS code 8311.20. This classification falls under Chapter 83, which covers miscellaneous articles of base metal. Heading 8311 specifically includes wire and rods of base metal that are coated or cored with flux material. Subheading 8311.20 is dedicated to "Cored wire of base metal, for electric arc-welding." This type of wire is commonly used in Flux-Cored Arc Welding (FCAW) and consists of a continuous tubular metal sheath filled with a flux powder. The presence of the flux core is the critical factor for classification in this heading. If the wire were solid and lacked a flux core or coating, it would be classified according to its constituent metal in Chapters 72 through 81 (for example, solid steel wire is classified in 7217). The Harmonized System distinguishes between the physical form (wire vs. rod) and the presence of flux to ensure precise categorization for industrial consumables.
- Covers
- Flux-cored arc welding (FCAW) wire
- Metal-cored arc welding (MCAW) wire
- Tubular welding wire
- Self-shielding flux-cored wire
- Gas-shielded flux-cored wire
- Also under 8311.20
- Lincoln Electric Innershield
- ESAB Dual Shield
- Hobart FabCO
- Miller Electric cored wire
- Hyundai Welding cored wire
Codes often confused with 8311.20
Common mistake. The most common misclassification for arc welding wire is 7217.10 (for iron or steel), which applies only to solid wire without a flux core. Another common error is using 8311.10, which is strictly for coated electrodes (stick rods). Additionally, 8311.30 is sometimes used incorrectly; that code is for coated rods or cored wire used for soldering or brazing, rather than arc welding.
Top exporters and importers of HS 831120 (the code used for arc welding wire), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 831120 (the code used for arc welding wire) in UN Comtrade data was China, with 22% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Canada, with 7.1% of world imports. Countries that did not report 2025 data are estimated from partner records, which can understate them.
Figures cover everything classified under HS 831120, not only arc welding wire.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 China $261M 22% of world exports
- 2 United States $150M 12% of world exports
- 3 South Korea $139M 11% of world exports
World total: $1.2B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 Canada $90M 7.1% of world imports
- 2 United States $88M 7.0% of world imports
- 3 Mexico $71M 5.7% of world imports
World total: $1.3B 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 arc welding wire
Brazil classifies arc welding wire under NCM 8311.20.00: HS 8311.20 with 00 added.
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text on each NCM page is the official one.
Questions about arc welding wire
What is the HS code for Arc welding wire?
The HS code for Arc welding wire is 831120 (Wire; cored, of base metal, for electric arc-welding). The HS code for cored wire of base metal for electric arc welding is 8311.20.
How do I classify Arc welding wire for customs?
Arc welding wire is classified under HS code 831120 — Wire; cored, of base metal, for electric arc-welding. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.
Is solid MIG wire classified under 8311.20?
No, solid MIG (GMAW) wire is usually classified by its material, such as 7217 for steel or 7605 for aluminum, because it lacks a flux core.
Which countries are the top exporters of arc welding wire (HS 831120)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 831120 (the code used for arc welding wire) in UN Comtrade data were China ($261M, 22% of world exports), the United States ($150M) and South Korea ($139M). World exports came to about $1.2B, 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 arc welding wire (HS 831120)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 831120 (the code used for arc welding wire) in UN Comtrade data were Canada ($90M, 7.1% of world imports), the United States ($88M) and Mexico ($71M). World imports came to about $1.3B, 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.
Is the HS code for Arc welding wire the same in all countries?
The base HS code 831120 for Arc welding wire is internationally standardized for the first 6 digits across 200+ countries. Individual countries may add additional digits for national tariff lines and specific classifications.
What is the NCM code for arc welding wire in Brazil?
In Brazil, arc welding wire (HS 831120) is classified under NCM 8311.20.00.