Product classification
HS code for Color-coated steel strip: 7212.40
Iron or non-alloy steel, flat-rolled, width less than 600mm, painted, varnished or coated with plastics.
Classification of color-coated steel strip under HS 7212.40
Color-coated steel strip is classified under HS code 7212.40. This classification applies to flat-rolled products of iron or non-alloy steel with a width of less than 600 mm that have been painted, varnished, or coated with plastics. The classification is determined by the material (non-alloy steel), the width (under 600 mm), and the surface treatment (organic coating). Unlike wider coils, these strips are often used for specific industrial applications like strapping, small components, or decorative trim. Chapter 72 of the Harmonized System governs iron and steel, and heading 7212 is specifically designated for narrow flat-rolled products that are clad, plated, or coated.
- Covers
- Narrow prepainted steel strips
- Plastic-coated steel strapping
- Varnished steel tape for cable shielding
- Painted slit-to-width steel coils (under 600mm)
- Color-coated steel bands for packaging
- Also under 7212.40
- AkzoNobel coil coated steel (using their paints)
- Nippon Steel pre-painted sheets
- Tata Steel Colorcoat
- BlueScope Steel COLORBOND (narrow width)
- SSAB GreenCoat.
Codes often confused with 7212.40
Common mistake. The most common misclassification is with HS code 7210.70. Both codes cover color-coated non-alloy steel, but 7210.70 is for products 600 mm or wider, while 7212.40 is for products narrower than 600 mm. Another error is using 7212.20 or 7212.30, which refer to strips plated with zinc (galvanized) but not necessarily painted or plastic-coated.
Top exporters and importers of HS 721240 (the code used for color-coated steel strip), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 721240 (the code used for color-coated steel strip) in UN Comtrade data was Germany, with 23% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was the United States, with 7.8% 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 721240, not only color-coated steel strip.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 Germany $196M 23% of world exports
- 2 China $192M 23% of world exports
- 3 Belgium $79M 9.3% of world exports
World total: $854M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 United States $61M 7.8% of world imports
- 2 Germany $55M 7.0% of world imports
- 3 France $45M 5.7% of world imports
World total: $783M 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 color-coated steel strip
Brazil splits HS 7212.40 into 3 NCM codes. Pick the one that matches your product:
- 7212.40.10Narrow painted or varnished flat steel
- 7212.40.21Narrow plastic-coated steel, sintered bronze layer
- 7212.40.29Other narrow plastic-coated flat 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 color-coated steel strip
What is the HS code for Color-coated steel strip?
The HS code for Color-coated steel strip is 721240 (Iron or non-alloy steel; flat-rolled, width less than 600mm, painted, varnished or coated with plastics). The HS code for color-coated, flat-rolled non-alloy steel with a width of less than 600 mm is 7212.40.
How do I classify Color-coated steel strip for customs?
Color-coated steel strip is classified under HS code 721240 — Iron or non-alloy steel; flat-rolled, width less than 600mm, painted, varnished or coated with plastics. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.
What if the strip is made of stainless steel?
If the color-coated strip is made of stainless steel, it would be classified under heading 7220 (flat-rolled products of stainless steel, width less than 600 mm) rather than 7212.
Which countries are the top exporters of color-coated steel strip (HS 721240)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 721240 (the code used for color-coated steel strip) in UN Comtrade data were Germany ($196M, 23% of world exports), China ($192M) and Belgium ($79M). World exports came to about $854M, 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 color-coated steel strip (HS 721240)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 721240 (the code used for color-coated steel strip) in UN Comtrade data were the United States ($61M, 7.8% of world imports), Germany ($55M) and France ($45M). World imports came to about $783M, 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 Color-coated steel strip the same in all countries?
The base HS code 721240 for Color-coated 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 color-coated steel strip in Brazil?
Brazil splits HS 721240 into 3 NCM codes, so the right one for color-coated steel strip depends on the product's details: 7212.40.10 (Narrow painted or varnished flat steel), 7212.40.21 (Narrow plastic-coated steel, sintered bronze layer), 7212.40.29 (Other narrow plastic-coated flat steel).