Product classification
HS code for Cold-drawn steel rods: 7215.50
Iron or non-alloy steel, bars and rods, n.e.c. in chapter 72, cold-formed or cold-finished, (not free-cutting).
Classification of cold-drawn steel rods under HS 7215.50
Cold-drawn steel rods are classified under HS code 7215.50. This code is designated for bars and rods of iron or non-alloy steel that have been cold-formed or cold-finished but not further worked. Heading 7215 covers bars and rods of iron or non-alloy steel that are not included in headings 7213 or 7214. The distinction between 7214 and 7215 lies primarily in the manufacturing process; 7214 covers hot-rolled products, while 7215 covers those that have undergone cold-finishing. Cold-drawing involves pulling the metal through a die at room temperature, which results in precise dimensions, a smooth surface, and increased mechanical strength. To qualify for 7215.50, the steel must not be "free-cutting" steel (which has its own subheading 7215.10) and must not have been further worked than cold-finishing, such as being plated or coated. The classification follows the legal notes of Chapter 72, which define bars and rods based on their cross-section and finish.
- Covers
- Cold-drawn round steel bars
- Cold-finished hexagonal steel rods
- Bright steel bars (non-alloy)
- Cold-drawn square steel bars
- Precision ground steel rods (non-alloy)
- Also under 7215.50
- POSCO cold-drawn round bars
- Tata Steel bright bars
- JFE Steel cold-finished flats
- Nucor cold-finished rounds
- SSAB cold-drawn squares.
Codes often confused with 7215.50
Common mistake. The most frequent misclassification is with 7214.91 or 7214.99, which are for hot-rolled bars. Importers must check the surface finish; a smooth, shiny, or scaled-off surface usually indicates cold-finishing. Another error is using 7215.10 for all cold-drawn rods; 7215.10 is strictly for free-cutting steel, which contains specific levels of sulfur, lead, or phosphorus to improve machinability.
Top exporters and importers of HS 721550 (the code used for cold-drawn steel rods), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 721550 (the code used for cold-drawn steel rods) in UN Comtrade data was Italy, with 27% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Germany, with 18% 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 721550, not only cold-drawn steel rods.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 Italy $266M 27% of world exports
- 2 Germany $132M 13% of world exports
- 3 Czechia $84M 8.4% of world exports
World total: $1.0B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 Germany $209M 18% of world imports
- 2 Mexico $87M 7.7% of world imports
- 3 France $80M 7.0% of world imports
World total: $1.1B 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 cold-drawn steel rods
Brazil classifies cold-drawn steel rods under NCM 7215.50.00: HS 7215.50 with 00 added.
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 cold-drawn steel rods
What is the HS code for Cold-drawn steel rods?
The HS code for Cold-drawn steel rods is 721550 (Iron or non-alloy steel; bars and rods, n.e.c. in chapter 72, cold-formed or cold-finished, (not free-cutting)). The HS code for non-alloy cold-drawn steel rods is 7215.50, provided they are not free-cutting steel.
How do I classify Cold-drawn steel rods for customs?
Cold-drawn steel rods is classified under HS code 721550 — Iron or non-alloy steel; bars and rods, n.e.c. in chapter 72, cold-formed or cold-finished, (not free-cutting). This is a 6-digit subheading level code.
What is the difference between 7214 and 7215?
Heading 7214 is for hot-rolled products, while 7215 is for products that have been cold-formed or cold-finished.
Which countries are the top exporters of cold-drawn steel rods (HS 721550)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 721550 (the code used for cold-drawn steel rods) in UN Comtrade data were Italy ($266M, 27% of world exports), Germany ($132M) and Czechia ($84M). World exports came to about $1.0B, 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 cold-drawn steel rods (HS 721550)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 721550 (the code used for cold-drawn steel rods) in UN Comtrade data were Germany ($209M, 18% of world imports), Mexico ($87M) and France ($80M). World imports 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.
Is the HS code for Cold-drawn steel rods the same in all countries?
The base HS code 721550 for Cold-drawn steel rods 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 cold-drawn steel rods in Brazil?
In Brazil, cold-drawn steel rods (HS 721550) is classified under NCM 7215.50.00.