Product classification
HS code for CR 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 CR steel coil under HS 7209.16
HS code 7209.16 is used for flat-rolled products of iron or non-alloy steel that have been cold-rolled and are presented in coils. The specific criteria for this code include a width of 600 mm or more and a thickness exceeding 1 mm but less than 3 mm. Cold-rolling is a process that improves the surface finish and dimensional accuracy of the steel compared to hot-rolling. This classification is highly specific to the dimensions and the physical state (coiled) of the steel, which is critical for customs valuation and trade statistics. The steel must not be clad, plated, or coated to remain under this heading. This code is vital for the automotive and appliance industries, where precise thickness and high-quality surface finishes are required for stamping and forming operations.
- Covers
- Cold-rolled non-alloy steel coils (e.g., 1.5mm thickness)
- CR steel rolls, width 1000mm, thickness 2mm
- Full hard cold-rolled steel in coils
- Annealed cold-rolled steel coils within the 1mm to 3mm range
- Black plate steel in coils for further processing
- 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. This code is often confused with HS code 7208.38, which covers hot-rolled steel of similar dimensions. The distinction lies in the manufacturing process (cold-rolled vs. hot-rolled). It is also frequently mixed up with HS code 7209.17, which applies to cold-rolled coils with a thickness of 0.5 mm to 1 mm. Finally, if the steel is not in coils, it must be classified under 7209.26, even if the thickness and width are identical. Importers must verify the actual thickness and the presence of coiling before assigning this code.
Top exporters and importers of HS 720916 (the code used for CR steel coil), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 720916 (the code used for CR 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 CR 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 CR steel coil
Brazil classifies CR 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 CR steel coil
What is the HS code for CR steel coil?
The HS code for CR 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). The HS code for cold-rolled steel coil with a width of 600mm or more and a thickness between 1mm and 3mm is 7209.16.
How do I classify CR steel coil for customs?
CR 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 if the coil is less than 600mm wide?
If the width is less than 600mm, the product is classified under heading 7211 as "narrow" flat-rolled steel, regardless of whether it is in coils or sheets, as heading 7209 is reserved for wide products.
Which countries are the top exporters of CR steel coil (HS 720916)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 720916 (the code used for CR 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 CR steel coil (HS 720916)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 720916 (the code used for CR 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 CR steel coil the same in all countries?
The base HS code 720916 for CR 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 CR steel coil in Brazil?
In Brazil, CR steel coil (HS 720916) is classified under NCM 7209.16.00.