Product classification
HS code for Cold rolled steel coil: 7209.16
Iron or non-alloy steel, in coils, flat-rolled, width 600mm or more, cold-rolled, of a thickness exceeding 1mm but less than 3mm.
Classification of cold rolled steel coil under HS 7209.16
HS code 7209.16 is used for flat-rolled products of iron or non-alloy steel, with a width of 600 mm or more, that have been cold-rolled (cold-reduced) and are presented in coils. This specific subheading is reserved for products with a thickness exceeding 1 mm but less than 3 mm. Classification in Chapter 72 requires a precise understanding of the metallurgical properties and the dimensions of the steel. "Cold-rolled" refers to steel that has undergone further processing after hot-rolling to achieve more precise dimensions, improved surface qualities, and increased strength through work hardening. The "non-alloy" designation means the steel does not contain specific levels of alloying elements (like chromium or manganese) as defined in the Chapter 72 legal notes. The thickness range (1mm to 3mm) is a critical boundary; if the steel is exactly 1mm or 3mm, it would fall into adjacent subheadings. This code is vital for the automotive, appliance, and construction industries where specific gauges of high-quality steel are required. Customs officials verify these products through mill test certificates (MTC) which confirm the chemical composition, thickness, and processing method.
- Covers
- Cold-reduced non-alloy steel coils (1.2mm thickness)
- Cold-rolled steel coils (2.5mm thickness)
- Full hard cold rolled coils within the 1mm-3mm range
- Annealed cold-rolled steel coils for automotive stamping
- High-strength non-alloy cold-rolled coils (2.0mm)
- Also under 7209.16
- ArcelorMittal cold-rolled coils
- POSCO CR steel
- Nippon Steel CR sheets
- ThyssenKrupp cold-rolled products
- JFE Steel CR coils
Codes often confused with 7209.16
Common mistake. The most common error is confusing this with hot-rolled steel under heading 7208. Cold-rolled steel has a smoother finish and tighter tolerances. Another error involves thickness; 7209.15 is for 3mm or more, while 7209.17 is for 0.5mm to 1mm. If the steel is less than 600mm wide, it must be classified under 7211. Finally, if the steel is coated or plated (e.g., galvanized), it moves to heading 7210.
Top exporters and importers of HS 720916 (the code used for cold rolled steel coil), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 720916 (the code used for cold rolled steel coil) in UN Comtrade data was South Korea, with 20% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Germany, with 8.4% 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 720916, not only cold rolled steel coil.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 South Korea $862M 20% of world exports
- 2 China $716M 16% of world exports
- 3 Germany $274M 6.2% of world exports
World total: $4.4B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 Germany $430M 8.4% of world imports
- 2 Mexico $351M 6.9% of world imports
- 3 Türkiye $301M 5.9% of world imports
World total: $5.1B 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 rolled steel coil
Brazil classifies cold rolled steel coil under NCM 7209.16.00: HS 7209.16 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 steel coil
What is the HS code for Cold rolled steel coil?
The HS code for Cold rolled steel coil is 720916 (Iron or non-alloy steel; in coils, flat-rolled, width 600mm or more, cold-rolled, of a thickness exceeding 1mm but less than 3mm).
How do I classify Cold rolled steel coil for customs?
Cold rolled steel coil is classified under HS code 720916 — Iron or non-alloy steel; in coils, flat-rolled, width 600mm or more, cold-rolled, of a thickness exceeding 1mm but less than 3mm. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.
What is the HS code for 2mm cold rolled steel coil?
The HS code for non-alloy cold rolled steel coil with a thickness of 2mm and width over 600mm is 7209.16.
What if the steel coil is made of stainless steel?
If the material is stainless steel, it is no longer classified under 7209. It would instead fall under heading 7219, which is dedicated to flat-rolled products of stainless steel.
Which countries are the top exporters of cold rolled steel coil (HS 720916)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 720916 (the code used for cold rolled steel coil) in UN Comtrade data were South Korea ($862M, 20% of world exports), China ($716M) and Germany ($274M). World exports came to about $4.4B, 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 steel coil (HS 720916)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 720916 (the code used for cold rolled steel coil) in UN Comtrade data were Germany ($430M, 8.4% of world imports), Mexico ($351M) and Türkiye ($301M). World imports came to about $5.1B, 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 steel coil the same in all countries?
The base HS code 720916 for Cold rolled steel coil 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 steel coil in Brazil?
In Brazil, cold rolled steel coil (HS 720916) is classified under NCM 7209.16.00.