Product classification
HS code for Cold-finished free-cutting steel bars: 7215.10
Iron or non-alloy steel, bars and rods, of free-cutting steel, cold-formed or cold-finished, n.e.c. in chapter 72.
Classification of cold-finished free-cutting steel bars under HS 7215.10
Classification of cold-finished free-cutting steel bars falls under HS code 7215.10. This classification is governed by the chemical composition requirements found in Subheading Note 1 to Chapter 72. Free-cutting steel is a non-alloy steel specifically designed for high-speed machining, achieved by adding elements like sulfur, lead, phosphorus, selenium, tellurium, or bismuth. To qualify for 7215.10, the steel must contain at least 0.08% sulfur or 0.1% lead by weight. The 'cold-finished' aspect indicates that the bars have been cold-drawn or ground to achieve specific tolerances and surface qualities. Because the HS nomenclature prioritizes the 'free-cutting' characteristic over general non-alloy steel finishing, 7215.10 takes precedence over 7215.50. The classification follows GRI 1, as the heading text for 7215 explicitly includes bars and rods of iron or non-alloy steel, and the subheading 7215.10 specifically identifies free-cutting steel that is cold-formed or cold-finished.
- Covers
- 12L14 leaded free-cutting steel bars
- 1215 resulfurized and rephosphorized steel rounds
- Cold-drawn free-cutting hexagonal bars for screw machine parts
- Ground and polished free-cutting steel rods
- Free-machining non-alloy steel flats
- Also under 7215.10
- Macsteel 12L14
- Nucor 11SMnPb30
- ArcelorMittal 1215
- Ovako 11SMnPb30
- SSAB 12L14.
Codes often confused with 7215.10
Common mistake. The most common misclassification occurs with HS code 7214.30, which covers free-cutting steel bars that are only hot-rolled. Importers often fail to distinguish the cold-drawing process, which moves the product from 7214 to 7215. Additionally, if the steel contains alloying elements like chromium or nickel above the limits in Note 1(f), it must be classified under 7228.50 (alloy steel) even if it has free-machining properties. Another error is using 7215.50, which is for non-alloy cold-finished bars that are NOT free-cutting. Verification of sulfur and lead content on the material certificate is essential for correct coding.
Top exporters and importers of HS 721510 (the code used for cold-finished free-cutting steel bars), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 721510 (the code used for cold-finished free-cutting steel bars) in UN Comtrade data was Italy, with 22% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Germany, with 16% 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 721510, not only cold-finished free-cutting steel bars.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 Italy $122M 22% of world exports
- 2 Germany $118M 21% of world exports
- 3 Switzerland $63M 11% of world exports
World total: $561M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 Germany $105M 16% of world imports
- 2 France $93M 14% of world imports
- 3 United States $43M 6.6% of world imports
World total: $653M 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-finished free-cutting steel bars
Brazil classifies cold-finished free-cutting steel bars under NCM 7215.10.00: HS 7215.10 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-finished free-cutting steel bars
What is the HS code for Cold-finished free-cutting steel bars?
The HS code for Cold-finished free-cutting steel bars is 721510 (Iron or non-alloy steel; bars and rods, of free-cutting steel, cold-formed or cold-finished, n.e.c. in chapter 72). The correct HS code is 7215.10, which applies to iron or non-alloy steel bars of free-cutting steel that have been cold-formed or cold-finished.
How do I classify Cold-finished free-cutting steel bars for customs?
Cold-finished free-cutting steel bars is classified under HS code 721510 — Iron or non-alloy steel; bars and rods, of free-cutting steel, cold-formed or cold-finished, n.e.c. in chapter 72. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.
What chemical elements define a steel as 'free-cutting' in the HS system?
According to Chapter 72 Subheading Note 1, it must contain by weight 0.08% or more of sulfur, 0.1% or more of lead, 0.05% or more of selenium, 0.01% or more of tellurium, or 0.05% or more of bismuth.
Which countries are the top exporters of cold-finished free-cutting steel bars (HS 721510)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 721510 (the code used for cold-finished free-cutting steel bars) in UN Comtrade data were Italy ($122M, 22% of world exports), Germany ($118M) and Switzerland ($63M). World exports came to about $561M, 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-finished free-cutting steel bars (HS 721510)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 721510 (the code used for cold-finished free-cutting steel bars) in UN Comtrade data were Germany ($105M, 16% of world imports), France ($93M) and the United States ($43M). World imports came to about $653M, 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-finished free-cutting steel bars the same in all countries?
The base HS code 721510 for Cold-finished free-cutting steel bars 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-finished free-cutting steel bars in Brazil?
In Brazil, cold-finished free-cutting steel bars (HS 721510) is classified under NCM 7215.10.00.