Product classification
HS code for Copper wire bars: 7403.12
Copper, refined, unwrought, wire-bars.
Classification of copper wire bars under HS 7403.12
Copper wire bars are classified under HS code 7403.12. This classification is governed by the definitions in Chapter 74 for unwrought refined copper. According to the Explanatory Notes to heading 7403, wire bars are a specific type of unwrought casting intended for the production of wire, usually by rolling and drawing. They are characterized by their shape, which often features tapered ends to facilitate entry into rolling mills. The classification 7403.12 is reserved for refined copper, meaning the metal must meet the purity standards set forth in Chapter Note 1(a). Unlike wrought products, wire bars are in their primary, cast form and have not been subjected to further working such as rolling, drawing, or extrusion. The distinction between unwrought and wrought is fundamental in the HS system; 7403 covers the raw material stage of the copper lifecycle, following smelting and refining but preceding the fabrication of semi-finished goods like rods, profiles, or wire.
- Covers
- Electrolytic copper wire bars
- Cast copper bars for wire drawing
- Unwrought refined copper wire bars
- Vertically cast wire bars
- Horizontally cast wire bars
- Also under 7403.12
- Southwire copper wire-bars
- Prysmian Group wire-bars (as input)
- Nexans wire-bars (as input)
Codes often confused with 7403.12
Common mistake. Copper wire bars are frequently misclassified under heading 7407, which covers copper bars and rods. The distinction lies in the manufacturing process: 7403.12 is for unwrought (cast) products, while 7407 is for wrought (rolled or extruded) products. If a bar has been rolled to its final shape, it can no longer be classified under 7403. Additionally, wire bars are sometimes confused with copper cathodes (7403.11). While both are unwrought refined copper, cathodes are the flat products of electrolytic refining, whereas wire bars are cast from melted cathodes into a specific shape for the wire mill. Misclassification also occurs with copper alloys; if the bar is made of brass or bronze, it must be classified under 7403.21 or 7403.22.
Top exporters and importers of HS 740312 (the code used for copper wire bars), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 740312 (the code used for copper wire bars) in UN Comtrade data was Mongolia, with about 24% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was China, with 31% 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 740312, not only copper wire bars.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 Mongolia* ~$12M 24% of world exports · partner records ↗
- 2 Saudi Arabia $12M 23% of world exports
- 3 Italy $6.5M 13% of world exports
World total: $50M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 China $15M 31% of world imports
- 2 Italy $12M 24% of world imports
- 3 Saudi Arabia $7.1M 15% of world imports
World total: $49M 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 marked * did not, so their figures add up what other countries recorded trading with them, and their exports are valued at buyers' CIF prices. 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 copper wire bars
Brazil classifies copper wire bars under NCM 7403.12.00: HS 7403.12 with 00 added.
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text on each NCM page is the official one.
Questions about copper wire bars
What is the HS code for Copper wire bars?
The HS code for Copper wire bars is 740312 (Copper; refined, unwrought, wire-bars). The specific HS code for refined copper wire bars is 7403.12.
How do I classify Copper wire bars for customs?
Copper wire bars is classified under HS code 740312 — Copper; refined, unwrought, wire-bars. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.
What is the difference between a copper bar and a copper wire bar in the HS code?
A copper wire bar (7403.12) is an unwrought, cast product used as a raw material. A copper bar (7407) is a wrought product that has been worked into its final shape through mechanical processes like rolling.
Which countries are the top exporters of copper wire bars (HS 740312)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 740312 (the code used for copper wire bars) in UN Comtrade data were Mongolia (about $12M, 24% of world exports), Saudi Arabia ($12M) and Italy ($6.5M). World exports came to about $50M, 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 copper wire bars (HS 740312)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 740312 (the code used for copper wire bars) in UN Comtrade data were China ($15M, 31% of world imports), Italy ($12M) and Saudi Arabia ($7.1M). World imports came to about $49M, 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 Copper wire bars the same in all countries?
The base HS code 740312 for Copper wire bars 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 copper wire bars in Brazil?
In Brazil, copper wire bars (HS 740312) is classified under NCM 7403.12.00.