Product classification
HS code for Free-cutting steel bars: 7214.30
Iron or non-alloy steel, bars and rods, hot-rolled, hot-drawn or hot-extruded, including those twisted after rolling, of free-cutting steel.
Classification of free-cutting steel bars under HS 7214.30
Free-cutting steel bars are classified under HS code 7214.30. This classification is situated within Chapter 72, which covers iron and steel. Heading 7214 refers to other bars and rods of iron or non-alloy steel, not further worked than forged, hot-rolled, hot-drawn, or hot-extruded, but including those twisted after rolling. The specific subheading 7214.30 is reserved for 'free-cutting steel.' Free-cutting steel is defined in the Chapter 72 Subheading Note 1(c) as non-alloy steel containing by weight one or more of the following elements: more than 0.08% sulfur, more than 0.1% lead, more than 0.05% selenium, or more than 0.01% tellurium. These elements are added to improve the machinability of the steel, allowing it to be processed at higher speeds with better surface finishes. To qualify for this code, the bars must be hot-finished; if they undergo subsequent cold-finishing, the classification changes. This code is essential for identifying steel grades like 12L14 or 1117 when they are in their hot-rolled state.
- Covers
- Hot-rolled free-cutting steel round bars
- Hexagonal free-cutting steel rods (hot-rolled)
- Square bars of free-cutting steel for machining
- Hot-extruded free-cutting steel profiles
- Lead-bearing non-alloy steel bars (hot-finished)
- High-sulfur non-alloy steel rods
- Also under 7214.30
- Ovako free-cutting bars
- JFE Steel free-cutting bars
- SSAB free-cutting solutions
- Hyundai Steel free-cutting products
Codes often confused with 7214.30
Common mistake. A frequent error is classifying these bars under HS code 7215.50, which covers cold-finished bars. If the free-cutting steel has been cold-drawn or cold-rolled to achieve precise tolerances, it must move to Chapter 7215. Another misclassification occurs with HS code 7228.30, which is for alloy steel bars. Free-cutting steel is generally considered non-alloy steel unless it contains other alloying elements (like chromium or nickel) above the thresholds defined in Note 1(f) to Chapter 72. Finally, standard hot-rolled bars without the specific sulfur or lead content required for 'free-cutting' status are classified under 7214.91 or 7214.99.
Top exporters and importers of HS 721430 (the code used for free-cutting steel bars), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 721430 (the code used for free-cutting steel bars) in UN Comtrade data was Germany, with 30% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Italy, with 25% 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 721430, not only free-cutting steel bars.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 Germany $58M 30% of world exports
- 2 Switzerland $38M 20% of world exports
- 3 France $24M 12% of world exports
World total: $193M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 Italy $48M 25% of world imports
- 2 United States $42M 22% of world imports
- 3 Germany $26M 13% of world imports
World total: $193M 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 free-cutting steel bars
Brazil classifies free-cutting steel bars under NCM 7214.30.00: HS 7214.30 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 free-cutting steel bars
What is the HS code for Free-cutting steel bars?
The HS code for Free-cutting steel bars is 721430 (Iron or non-alloy steel; bars and rods, hot-rolled, hot-drawn or hot-extruded, including those twisted after rolling, of free-cutting steel). The HS code for hot-rolled, hot-drawn, or hot-extruded bars of free-cutting non-alloy steel is 7214.30.
How do I classify Free-cutting steel bars for customs?
Free-cutting steel bars is classified under HS code 721430 — Iron or non-alloy steel; bars and rods, hot-rolled, hot-drawn or hot-extruded, including those twisted after rolling, of free-cutting steel. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.
What defines steel as 'free-cutting' for HS classification?
It must contain specific minimum weight percentages of sulfur (0.08%), lead (0.1%), selenium (0.05%), or tellurium (0.01%) as defined in the Chapter 72 notes.
Which countries are the top exporters of free-cutting steel bars (HS 721430)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 721430 (the code used for free-cutting steel bars) in UN Comtrade data were Germany ($58M, 30% of world exports), Switzerland ($38M) and France ($24M). World exports came to about $193M, 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 free-cutting steel bars (HS 721430)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 721430 (the code used for free-cutting steel bars) in UN Comtrade data were Italy ($48M, 25% of world imports), the United States ($42M) and Germany ($26M). World imports came to about $193M, 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 Free-cutting steel bars the same in all countries?
The base HS code 721430 for Free-cutting steel 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 free-cutting steel bars in Brazil?
In Brazil, free-cutting steel bars (HS 721430) is classified under NCM 7214.30.00.