Product classification
HS code for Cold-formed alloy steel rods: 7228.50
Steel, alloy, bars and rods, cold-formed or cold-finished.
Classification of cold-formed alloy steel rods under HS 7228.50
HS code 7228.50 is designated for bars and rods made of alloy steel, excluding stainless steel, that have been cold-formed or cold-finished. The classification process requires a detailed analysis of both the chemical metallurgy and the mechanical history of the product. Under the Harmonized System, "alloy steel" is defined by Chapter 72, Note 1(f), which sets specific weight thresholds for various elements; for instance, if the aluminum content is 0.3% or more, or the chromium content is 0.3% or more, the steel is classified as an alloy. Cold-forming involves shaping the steel through processes such as cold-drawing, grinding, or turning at room temperature. This method enhances the tensile strength and yield strength of the material while providing a superior surface finish and precise diameter control. These products are typically solid and have a uniform cross-section along their entire length, often in the shape of circles, ovals, rectangles, squares, or regular polygons. They are distinguished from "wire" by the fact that they are not in coils and from "flat-rolled products" by their cross-sectional dimensions. Accurate classification is essential for applying the correct tariff rates, as alloy steels often carry different duties than carbon steels.
- Covers
- Cold-drawn alloy steel rounds
- Cold-finished hexagonal alloy bars
- Ground alloy steel rods
- Cold-formed square alloy bars
- Polished alloy steel rods
- Also under 7228.50
- Sandvik cold-finished bars
- Outokumpu precision bars
- Carpenter Technology cold-drawn rods
- ArcelorMittal cold-finished sections
Codes often confused with 7228.50
Common mistake. Common misclassifications occur with HS code 7215, which covers cold-finished bars of non-alloy steel. It is also confused with 7228.30, which is for hot-rolled alloy bars, and 7222, which is reserved for stainless steel bars and rods. If the product is in irregularly wound coils, it must be classified as wire under 7229.
Top exporters and importers of HS 722850 (the code used for cold-formed alloy steel rods), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 722850 (the code used for cold-formed alloy steel rods) in UN Comtrade data was Germany, with 26% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Germany, with 19% 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 722850, not only cold-formed alloy steel rods.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 Germany $533M 26% of world exports
- 2 United States $238M 11% of world exports
- 3 Austria $197M 9.6% of world exports
World total: $2.1B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 Germany $394M 19% of world imports
- 2 United States $180M 8.7% of world imports
- 3 France $179M 8.6% of world imports
World total: $2.1B 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-formed alloy steel rods
Brazil classifies cold-formed alloy steel rods under NCM 7228.50.00: HS 7228.50 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-formed alloy steel rods
What is the HS code for Cold-formed alloy steel rods?
The HS code for Cold-formed alloy steel rods is 722850 (Steel, alloy; bars and rods, cold-formed or cold-finished). The HS code for bars and rods of alloy steel (other than stainless), cold-formed or cold-finished, is 7228.50.
How do I classify Cold-formed alloy steel rods for customs?
Cold-formed alloy steel rods is classified under HS code 722850 — Steel, alloy; bars and rods, cold-formed or cold-finished. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.
What defines "alloy steel" for this classification?
Alloy steel is defined by containing elements like chromium, nickel, molybdenum, or manganese in quantities exceeding the specific weight limits defined in Chapter 72, Note 1(f).
Which countries are the top exporters of cold-formed alloy steel rods (HS 722850)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 722850 (the code used for cold-formed alloy steel rods) in UN Comtrade data were Germany ($533M, 26% of world exports), the United States ($238M) and Austria ($197M). World exports came to about $2.1B, 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 cold-formed alloy steel rods (HS 722850)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 722850 (the code used for cold-formed alloy steel rods) in UN Comtrade data were Germany ($394M, 19% of world imports), the United States ($180M) and France ($179M). World imports came to about $2.1B, 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-formed alloy steel rods the same in all countries?
The base HS code 722850 for Cold-formed alloy 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-formed alloy steel rods in Brazil?
In Brazil, cold-formed alloy steel rods (HS 722850) is classified under NCM 7228.50.00.