Product classification
HS code for Free-machining steel rods: 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-machining steel rods under HS 7214.30
Free-machining steel rods are classified under HS code 721430. This code is situated within Chapter 72, which covers iron and steel. Heading 7214 specifically 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 subheading 721430 is reserved for products made of free-cutting steel. Free-cutting steel, also known as free-machining steel, is characterized by the addition of small amounts of elements such as sulfur, lead, bismuth, or selenium. These additives improve the machinability of the steel by acting as internal lubricants and breaking up chips during the cutting process, which allows for higher machining speeds and longer tool life. To qualify for this code, the rods must be hot-processed and must not have undergone cold-finishing processes like cold-drawing or grinding, which would move the classification to heading 7215. The classification follows GRI 1, as the terms of the heading and subheadings specifically describe the metallurgical composition and the manufacturing stage of the product. The steel must contain by weight 0.1% or more of sulfur or lead to meet the technical definition of free-cutting steel in this context.
- Covers
- Hot-rolled free-cutting steel round bars
- Hexagonal free-machining steel rods
- Square hot-rolled free-cutting steel bars
- Lead-alloyed non-alloy steel rods
- Sulfur-enhanced hot-rolled steel bars
- 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. These rods are often misclassified under 721530, which covers bars and rods of free-cutting steel that have been cold-finished or cold-formed. The distinction lies entirely in the manufacturing process; 721430 is for hot-rolled products only. Additionally, if the steel contains other alloying elements in specific proportions (like chromium or molybdenum), it may be classified as alloy steel under 7228 instead of non-alloy steel.
Top exporters and importers of HS 721430 (the code used for free-machining steel rods), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 721430 (the code used for free-machining steel rods) 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-machining steel rods.
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-machining steel rods
Brazil classifies free-machining steel rods 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-machining steel rods
What is the HS code for Free-machining steel rods?
The HS code for Free-machining steel rods 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 free-machining steel rods is 721430.
How do I classify Free-machining steel rods for customs?
Free-machining steel rods 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.
Does this code include cold-drawn steel rods?
No, cold-drawn or cold-finished free-cutting steel rods are classified under HS code 721530.
Which countries are the top exporters of free-machining steel rods (HS 721430)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 721430 (the code used for free-machining steel rods) 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-machining steel rods (HS 721430)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 721430 (the code used for free-machining steel rods) 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-machining steel rods the same in all countries?
The base HS code 721430 for Free-machining steel rods 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-machining steel rods in Brazil?
In Brazil, free-machining steel rods (HS 721430) is classified under NCM 7214.30.00.