Product classification
HS code for Coated steel wire: 7217.30
Iron or non-alloy steel, wire, plated or coated with base metals (other than zinc).
Classification of coated steel wire under HS 7217.30
Classification of coated steel wire under HS code 7217.30 is determined by the material composition and the nature of the surface treatment applied to the wire. Heading 7217 specifically addresses wire made of iron or non-alloy steel. The classification process begins by confirming that the carbon content is less than 0.25% by weight, which defines non-alloy steel in this context. Subheading 7217.30 is reserved for wire that has been plated or coated with base metals such as copper, tin, lead, or nickel. This excludes zinc coatings, which are classified elsewhere. The coating must be applied to the individual wire strand rather than a finished product like a cable. This code is essential for customs authorities to distinguish between raw industrial materials and processed goods, as the metallurgical properties of the coating significantly affect the wire's conductivity, corrosion resistance, and industrial application. The wire must have a uniform cross-section along its entire length and must not be in coiled form that exceeds specific diameter thresholds if it were to be considered a different product category.
- Covers
- Copper-coated non-alloy steel wire
- Tin-plated iron wire
- Nickel-coated steel wire for industrial springs
- Lead-coated non-alloy steel wire
- Brass-plated steel wire for tire cord reinforcement
- Also under 7217.30
- Lincoln Electric copper-coated welding wire
- Bekaert copper-coated wire
- Sumitomo Electric tin-plated wire
- Sandvik special coated wire
- Prysmian copper-clad wire
Codes often confused with 7217.30
Common mistake. This code is frequently confused with HS code 7217.20, which is specifically for wire plated or coated with zinc (galvanized wire). Another common error is using 7217.90, which is a residual category for wire coated with other materials like plastics or ceramics. Furthermore, if the wire is made of stainless steel, it must be classified under heading 7223.00, regardless of the coating, as the alloy composition takes precedence over the surface treatment in the HS hierarchy.
Top exporters and importers of HS 721730 (the code used for coated steel wire), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 721730 (the code used for coated steel wire) in UN Comtrade data was China, with 38% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Thailand, with 11% 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 721730, not only coated steel wire.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 China $434M 38% of world exports
- 2 Czechia $100M 8.7% of world exports
- 3 Slovakia $90M 7.9% of world exports
World total: $1.1B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 Thailand $138M 11% of world imports
- 2 Japan $70M 5.6% of world imports
- 3 Vietnam* ~$69M 5.5% of world imports · partner records ↗
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 marked * did not, so their figures add up what other countries recorded trading with them, and their exports are valued at buyers' CIF prices. 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 coated steel wire
Brazil splits HS 7217.30 into 2 NCM codes. Pick the one that matches your product:
- 7217.30.10Non-zinc metal-coated wire, 0.6% carbon or more
- 7217.30.90Non-zinc metal-coated wire, under 0.6% carbon
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text on each NCM page is the official one.
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 coated steel wire
What is the HS code for Coated steel wire?
The HS code for Coated steel wire is 721730 (Iron or non-alloy steel; wire, plated or coated with base metals (other than zinc)). The HS code for iron or non-alloy steel wire plated or coated with base metals (excluding zinc) is 7217.30.
How do I classify Coated steel wire for customs?
Coated steel wire is classified under HS code 721730 — Iron or non-alloy steel; wire, plated or coated with base metals (other than zinc). This is a 6-digit subheading level code.
Does this code include plastic-coated wire?
No, wire coated with plastics or other non-metallic materials is classified under HS code 7217.90. HS code 7217.30 is strictly for coatings consisting of base metals other than zinc.
Which countries are the top exporters of coated steel wire (HS 721730)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 721730 (the code used for coated steel wire) in UN Comtrade data were China ($434M, 38% of world exports), Czechia ($100M) and Slovakia ($90M). World exports came to about $1.1B, 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 coated steel wire (HS 721730)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 721730 (the code used for coated steel wire) in UN Comtrade data were Thailand ($138M, 11% of world imports), Japan ($70M) and Vietnam (about $69M). 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 Coated steel wire the same in all countries?
The base HS code 721730 for Coated steel 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 coated steel wire in Brazil?
Brazil splits HS 721730 into 2 NCM codes, so the right one for coated steel wire depends on the product's details: 7217.30.10 (Non-zinc metal-coated wire, 0.6% carbon or more), 7217.30.90 (Non-zinc metal-coated wire, under 0.6% carbon).