Product classification
HS code for Cold-rolled stainless steel strip: 7220.20
Steel, stainless, flat-rolled, width less than 600mm, cold-rolled.
Classification of cold-rolled stainless steel strip under HS 7220.20
HS code 7220.20 is utilized for flat-rolled products of stainless steel that have a width of less than 600 mm and have been cold-rolled. Unlike heading 7219, which covers wider sheets, heading 7220 is dedicated to narrower strips and bands. The classification process requires verifying that the material is stainless steel (containing by weight 1.2% or less of carbon and 10.5% or more of chromium) and that the final shape was achieved through cold-reduction rather than hot-rolling. This distinction is critical for customs purposes as cold-rolled strips often have different mechanical properties and industrial applications compared to hot-rolled counterparts. The "cold-rolled" designation implies the material was worked below its recrystallization temperature, resulting in a smoother surface, higher tensile strength, and tighter dimensional tolerances. These strips are frequently used in precision engineering, automotive components, and consumer electronics where narrow widths and high-quality finishes are required. The classification remains consistent regardless of whether the strip is in coils or cut to length, provided the width remains under the 600 mm threshold.
- Covers
- Cold-rolled stainless steel strips in coils (width < 600mm)
- Narrow stainless steel bands for industrial strapping
- Precision-rolled stainless steel foil (width < 600mm)
- Slit-edge stainless steel coils derived from wider cold-rolled sheets
- Stainless steel spring steel strips in narrow widths
- Also under 7220.20
- Sandvik cold-rolled precision strip
- Nippon Steel SUS304 cold-rolled strip
- Outokumpu 2B finish strip
- POSCO cold-rolled stainless steel bands
Codes often confused with 7220.20
Common mistake. The most frequent misclassification occurs with heading 7219, which applies to flat-rolled stainless steel with a width of 600 mm or more. If a wide sheet is slit into narrower strips, the resulting product must move from 7219 to 7220. Another common error is confusing cold-rolled strips (7220.20) with hot-rolled strips (7220.11 or 7220.12). Hot-rolled products are finished at high temperatures and lack the bright, smooth surface of cold-rolled items. Additionally, if the strip is made of alloy steel other than stainless, it would fall under heading 7226. Misidentifying the metallurgical composition can lead to significant duty discrepancies.
Top exporters and importers of HS 722020 (the code used for cold-rolled stainless steel strip), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 722020 (the code used for cold-rolled stainless steel strip) in UN Comtrade data was Germany, with 14% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Germany, with 15% 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 722020, not only cold-rolled stainless steel strip.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 Germany $613M 14% of world exports
- 2 China $491M 12% of world exports
- 3 Italy $426M 10% of world exports
World total: $4.3B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 Germany $604M 15% of world imports
- 2 Italy $312M 7.5% of world imports
- 3 Mexico $245M 5.9% of world imports
World total: $4.1B 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 codes for cold-rolled stainless steel strip
Brazil splits HS 7220.20 into 2 NCM codes. Pick the one that matches your product:
- 7220.20.10Cold-rolled stainless strip, up to 23 x 0.1 mm
- 7220.20.90Other narrow cold-rolled stainless steel
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 strip
What is the HS code for Cold-rolled stainless steel strip?
The HS code for Cold-rolled stainless steel strip is 722020 (Steel, stainless; flat-rolled, width less than 600mm, cold-rolled). The HS code for cold-rolled stainless steel strip with a width of less than 600mm is 7220.20.
How do I classify Cold-rolled stainless steel strip for customs?
Cold-rolled stainless steel strip is classified under HS code 722020 — Steel, stainless; flat-rolled, width less than 600mm, cold-rolled. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.
Can 7220.20 include stainless steel that has been further worked?
Yes, as long as the further working, such as perforating or corrugating, does not give the product the character of an article or a product of another heading. The primary classification is based on the cold-rolling process and the width.
Which countries are the top exporters of cold-rolled stainless steel strip (HS 722020)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 722020 (the code used for cold-rolled stainless steel strip) in UN Comtrade data were Germany ($613M, 14% of world exports), China ($491M) and Italy ($426M). World exports came to about $4.3B, 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 strip (HS 722020)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 722020 (the code used for cold-rolled stainless steel strip) in UN Comtrade data were Germany ($604M, 15% of world imports), Italy ($312M) and Mexico ($245M). World imports came to about $4.1B, 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-rolled stainless steel strip the same in all countries?
The base HS code 722020 for Cold-rolled stainless steel strip 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 strip in Brazil?
Brazil splits HS 722020 into 2 NCM codes, so the right one for cold-rolled stainless steel strip depends on the product's details: 7220.20.10 (Cold-rolled stainless strip, up to 23 x 0.1 mm), 7220.20.90 (Other narrow cold-rolled stainless steel).