Product classification
HS code for DRI: 7203.10
Ferrous products, obtained by direct reduction of iron ore, in lumps, pellets or similar forms.
Classification of DRI under HS 7203.10
Direct Reduced Iron (DRI) is classified under HS code 720310. This classification is found in Chapter 72, which covers iron and steel. Heading 7203 is specifically designated for ferrous products obtained by the direct reduction of iron ore and other spongy ferrous products, in lumps, pellets, or similar forms. DRI is produced through a process where iron ore is reduced in its solid state by a reducing gas or elemental carbon, removing oxygen without melting the metal. This results in a high-purity metallic iron product. The classification 720310 is applied because the product is a primary ferrous material obtained through direct reduction, distinguishing it from pig iron or steel produced through traditional smelting and melting processes.
- Covers
- Sponge iron
- Direct Reduced Iron pellets
- Direct Reduced Iron lumps
- Hot Briquetted Iron (HBI)
- Cold Direct Reduced Iron (CDRI)
- Also under 7203.10
- ArcelorMittal's HBI
- Cleveland-Cliffs' HBI
- Essar Steel's DRI
- Jindal Shadeed Iron & Steel's HBI
Codes often confused with 7203.10
Common mistake. DRI is often misclassified under HS codes 260111 or 260112, which are reserved for iron ores and concentrates. While DRI originates from iron ore, the chemical reduction process it undergoes transforms it into a metallic product of Chapter 72. Another common misclassification is 7204, which covers ferrous waste and scrap. Although DRI may be used as a substitute for scrap in electric arc furnaces, it is a manufactured primary product and not waste material. Additionally, it should not be confused with 7201 (pig iron), as DRI has not been melted and typically has a different carbon content and physical structure.
Top exporters and importers of HS 720310 (the code used for DRI), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 720310 (the code used for DRI) in UN Comtrade data was Trinidad and Tobago, with 18% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Saudi Arabia, with 25% of world imports. Russia did not report 2025 data, and its estimate from partner records misses its trade with other countries that did not report: in 2024 that was 2.8% of its exports here ($25M, CEPII BACI), so it may rank higher.
Figures cover everything classified under HS 720310, not only DRI.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 Trinidad and Tobago $626M 18% of world exports
- 2 Russia* ~$616M 18% of world exports · partner records ↗
- 3 India $471M 14% of world exports
Russia did not report 2025 data, and its estimate from partner records misses its trade with other countries that did not report: in 2024 that was 2.8% of its exports here ($25M, CEPII BACI), so it may rank higher.
World total: $3.4B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 Saudi Arabia $1.2B 25% of world imports
- 2 United States $619M 12% of world imports
- 3 Oman $504M 10% of world imports
World total: $5.0B 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 DRI
Brazil classifies DRI under NCM 7203.10.00: HS 7203.10 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 DRI
What is the HS code for DRI?
The HS code for DRI is 720310 (Ferrous products; obtained by direct reduction of iron ore, in lumps, pellets or similar forms). The HS code for Direct Reduced Iron (DRI) is 720310.
How do I classify DRI for customs?
DRI is classified under HS code 720310 — Ferrous products; obtained by direct reduction of iron ore, in lumps, pellets or similar forms. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.
Is Hot Briquetted Iron (HBI) classified under the same code?
Yes, HBI is simply DRI that has been compressed into briquettes for easier handling and transport; it remains classified under 720310 as a product of direct reduction.
Which countries are the top exporters of DRI (HS 720310)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 720310 (the code used for DRI) in UN Comtrade data were Trinidad and Tobago ($626M, 18% of world exports), Russia (about $616M) and India ($471M). World exports came to about $3.4B, adding countries' reported figures and partner-based estimates for those that did not report (UN Comtrade data). Russia did not report 2025 data, and its estimate from partner records misses its trade with other countries that did not report: in 2024 that was 2.8% of its exports here ($25M, CEPII BACI), so it may rank higher.
Which countries are the top importers of DRI (HS 720310)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 720310 (the code used for DRI) in UN Comtrade data were Saudi Arabia ($1.2B, 25% of world imports), the United States ($619M) and Oman ($504M). World imports came to about $5.0B, 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 DRI the same in all countries?
The base HS code 720310 for DRI 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 DRI in Brazil?
In Brazil, DRI (HS 720310) is classified under NCM 7203.10.00.