Product classification
HS code for Cold-rolled stainless steel plate: 7219.31
Steel, stainless, flat-rolled, width 600mm or more, cold-rolled or cold-reduced, of a thickness of 4.75mm or more.
Classification of cold-rolled stainless steel plate under HS 7219.31
HS code 7219.31 is utilized for flat-rolled products of stainless steel, with a width of 600 mm or more, that have been cold-rolled and possess a thickness of 4.75 mm or more. This classification is particularly specific because it combines the material type (stainless steel), the width (600 mm or more), the manufacturing process (cold-rolled), and a specific thickness threshold. Stainless steel must contain at least 10.5% chromium by weight. While most cold-rolled stainless steel is produced in thinner gauges (sheets), this code covers thicker "plates" that have undergone cold reduction. Cold-rolling thick plates is a specialized industrial process used to achieve precise thickness tolerances and a specific surface finish that hot-rolling cannot provide. This code is distinguished from 7219.21, which covers hot-rolled stainless steel plates of the same thickness. The distinction is important for customs because cold-rolled products are typically higher in value and used in applications where surface aesthetics or precision are paramount, such as in food processing equipment or architectural cladding. Understanding the thickness break-points within heading 7219 is crucial for correct classification, as the subheadings change at 4.75 mm, 3 mm, 1 mm, and 0.5 mm.
- Covers
- Cold-rolled stainless steel plates (thickness >= 4.75mm)
- Wide cold-reduced stainless sheets (thickness >= 4.75mm)
- Cold-rolled stainless steel coils (width >= 600mm, thickness >= 4.75mm)
- Also under 7219.31
- Outokumpu Supra 316L plates
- Aperam 304L cold-rolled sheets
- POSCO HRAP stainless steel
- ThyssenKrupp Nirosta 430 sheets
Codes often confused with 7219.31
Common mistake. The most common misclassification is with 7219.21, which covers hot-rolled stainless steel plate of the same thickness. It is also confused with 7219.32, which applies to cold-rolled stainless steel with a thickness between 3 mm and 4.75 mm. If the width is less than 600 mm, the product must be classified under heading 7220.
Top exporters and importers of HS 721931 (the code used for cold-rolled stainless steel plate), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 721931 (the code used for cold-rolled stainless steel plate) in UN Comtrade data was Belgium, with 28% 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 721931, not only cold-rolled stainless steel plate.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 Belgium $176M 28% of world exports
- 2 Finland $91M 14% of world exports
- 3 China $75M 12% of world exports
World total: $635M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 Germany $123M 19% of world imports
- 2 Italy $88M 14% of world imports
- 3 Poland $43M 6.7% of world imports
World total: $637M 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-rolled stainless steel plate
Brazil classifies cold-rolled stainless steel plate under NCM 7219.31.00: HS 7219.31 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-rolled stainless steel plate
What is the HS code for Cold-rolled stainless steel plate?
The HS code for Cold-rolled stainless steel plate is 721931 (Steel, stainless; flat-rolled, width 600mm or more, cold-rolled or cold-reduced, of a thickness of 4.75mm or more). The HS code for cold-rolled stainless steel, width 600mm or more, with a thickness of 4.75mm or more, is 7219.31.
How do I classify Cold-rolled stainless steel plate for customs?
Cold-rolled stainless steel plate is classified under HS code 721931 — Steel, stainless; flat-rolled, width 600mm or more, cold-rolled or cold-reduced, of a thickness of 4.75mm or more. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.
How is plate distinguished from sheet in this code?
In the context of HS code 7219.31, the distinction is based on the thickness threshold of 4.75 mm or more, which generally corresponds to what industry refers to as plate.
Which countries are the top exporters of cold-rolled stainless steel plate (HS 721931)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 721931 (the code used for cold-rolled stainless steel plate) in UN Comtrade data were Belgium ($176M, 28% of world exports), Finland ($91M) and China ($75M). World exports came to about $635M, 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-rolled stainless steel plate (HS 721931)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 721931 (the code used for cold-rolled stainless steel plate) in UN Comtrade data were Germany ($123M, 19% of world imports), Italy ($88M) and Poland ($43M). World imports came to about $637M, 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-rolled stainless steel plate the same in all countries?
The base HS code 721931 for Cold-rolled stainless steel plate 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-rolled stainless steel plate in Brazil?
In Brazil, cold-rolled stainless steel plate (HS 721931) is classified under NCM 7219.31.00.