Product classification
HS code for Cold-formed steel sections: 7216.69
Iron or non-alloy steel, angles, shapes and sections, cold-formed or cold-finished, (not obtained from flat-rolled products).
Classification of cold-formed steel sections under HS 7216.69
Cold-formed steel sections are classified under HS code 7216.69 when they are made of iron or non-alloy steel and are not obtained from flat-rolled products. Heading 7216 covers 'Angles, shapes and sections of iron or non-alloy steel.' The classification within this heading depends on the height of the section and the method of manufacture. Subheading 7216.69 is a specific category for sections that have been cold-formed or cold-finished. The technical distinction here is that these sections are typically produced by cold-drawing a bar or rod through a shape-forming die, rather than by folding or roll-forming a flat sheet or strip. This process results in a product with high dimensional precision and a smooth finish. Under GRI 1 and 6, because the product is a section (not a bar) and is cold-worked but not derived from flat-rolled steel, it is correctly assigned to 7216.69.
- Covers
- Cold-drawn non-alloy steel C-channels
- Cold-finished U-sections (not from strip)
- Precision cold-drawn L-profiles and angles
- Cold-formed non-alloy steel T-sections
- Custom cold-drawn shapes and profiles for machinery
- Also under 7216.69
- Ovako cold-drawn bars
- Nucor cold-finished special sections
- Valbruna cold-drawn profiles
- Macsteel cold-finished bars
- Carpenter Technology cold-finished shapes
Codes often confused with 7216.69
Common mistake. The most frequent misclassification is with HS code 7216.61, which covers cold-formed sections 'obtained from flat-rolled products.' Most commercial cold-formed sections (like those used in light-gauge construction) are made by roll-forming steel strip and belong in 7216.61. Code 7216.69 is specifically for those NOT made from strip, such as those drawn from a solid bar. Another error is 7308.90, which is for 'structures and parts of structures.' If the section is simply a raw material and not fabricated into a specific structural component (like a perforated or welded assembly), it must remain in Chapter 72.
Top exporters and importers of HS 721669 (the code used for cold-formed steel sections), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 721669 (the code used for cold-formed steel sections) in UN Comtrade data was Germany, with 21% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Germany, with 9.5% of world imports. Russia did not report 2025 data, and its estimate from partner records misses its trade with other countries that did not report: in 2024 that was 98% of its exports here ($24M, CEPII BACI), so it may also belong among the top exporters. Taiwan did not report 2025 data, and its estimate from partner records misses its trade with other countries that did not report: in 2024 that was 84% of its imports here ($24M, CEPII BACI), so it may also belong among the top importers.
Figures cover everything classified under HS 721669, not only cold-formed steel sections.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 Germany $33M 21% of world exports
- 2 Italy $20M 13% of world exports
- 3 China $13M 8.5% of world exports
Russia did not report 2025 data, and its estimate from partner records misses its trade with other countries that did not report: in 2024 that was 98% of its exports here ($24M, CEPII BACI), so it may also belong among the top exporters.
World total: $158M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 Germany $20M 9.5% of world imports
- 2 France $13M 6.5% of world imports
- 3 Thailand $13M 6.2% of world imports
Taiwan did not report 2025 data, and its estimate from partner records misses its trade with other countries that did not report: in 2024 that was 84% of its imports here ($24M, CEPII BACI), so it may also belong among the top importers.
World total: $205M 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 codes for cold-formed steel sections
Brazil splits HS 7216.69 into 2 NCM codes. Pick the one that matches your product:
- 7216.69.10Other cold-formed sections, under 80 mm high
- 7216.69.90Other cold-formed sections, 80 mm high or more
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 steel sections
What is the HS code for Cold-formed steel sections?
The HS code for Cold-formed steel sections is 721669 (Iron or non-alloy steel; angles, shapes and sections, cold-formed or cold-finished, (not obtained from flat-rolled products)). The HS code is 7216.69 for non-alloy steel sections that are cold-formed or cold-finished and not produced from flat-rolled products.
How do I classify Cold-formed steel sections for customs?
Cold-formed steel sections is classified under HS code 721669 — Iron or non-alloy steel; angles, shapes and sections, cold-formed or cold-finished, (not obtained from flat-rolled products). This is a 6-digit subheading level code.
How does 7216.69 differ from 7216.61?
7216.61 is for sections made by bending or roll-forming flat-rolled steel (like coils or sheets), while 7216.69 is for sections produced by other cold-forming methods, such as cold-drawing solid stock.
Which countries are the top exporters of cold-formed steel sections (HS 721669)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 721669 (the code used for cold-formed steel sections) in UN Comtrade data were Germany ($33M, 21% of world exports), Italy ($20M) and China ($13M). World exports came to about $158M, adding countries' reported figures and partner-based estimates for those that did not report (UN Comtrade data). Russia did not report 2025 data, and its estimate from partner records misses its trade with other countries that did not report: in 2024 that was 98% of its exports here ($24M, CEPII BACI), so it may also belong among the top exporters.
Which countries are the top importers of cold-formed steel sections (HS 721669)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 721669 (the code used for cold-formed steel sections) in UN Comtrade data were Germany ($20M, 9.5% of world imports), France ($13M) and Thailand ($13M). World imports came to about $205M, adding countries' reported figures and partner-based estimates for those that did not report (UN Comtrade data). Taiwan did not report 2025 data, and its estimate from partner records misses its trade with other countries that did not report: in 2024 that was 84% of its imports here ($24M, CEPII BACI), so it may also belong among the top importers.
Is the HS code for Cold-formed steel sections the same in all countries?
The base HS code 721669 for Cold-formed steel sections 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 steel sections in Brazil?
Brazil splits HS 721669 into 2 NCM codes, so the right one for cold-formed steel sections depends on the product's details: 7216.69.10 (Other cold-formed sections, under 80 mm high), 7216.69.90 (Other cold-formed sections, 80 mm high or more).