Product classification
HS code for Grain-oriented electrical steel: 7225.11
Steel, alloy, flat-rolled, width 600mm or more, of silicon-electrical steel, grain-oriented.
Classification of grain-oriented electrical steel under HS 7225.11
Grain-oriented electrical steel (GOES) is classified under HS code 7225.11. This product is a specialized alloy steel used primarily in the cores of high-efficiency transformers and electric motors. Chapter 72 covers iron and steel, and heading 7225 is for flat-rolled products of other alloy steel with a width of 600 mm or more. Subheading 7225.11 specifically identifies "silicon-electrical steel, grain-oriented." The term "grain-oriented" refers to the metallurgical structure where the crystal grains are aligned in a specific direction to optimize magnetic properties and reduce energy loss (core loss). To meet this classification, the steel must contain by weight at least 0.6% but not more than 6% of silicon and not more than 0.08% of carbon. It may also contain aluminum. The classification is strictly based on the chemical composition and the grain structure, which must be verified through technical specifications or mill certificates.
- Covers
- Grain-oriented silicon steel sheets
- GOES coils for transformer cores
- Flat-rolled electrical steel (width >= 600mm)
- Cold-rolled grain-oriented electrical steel
- Also under 7225.11
- Nippon Steel GOES
- ArcelorMittal electrical steel
- POSCO grain-oriented silicon steel
- JFE Steel transformer core material
- ThyssenKrupp electrical steel
Codes often confused with 7225.11
Common mistake. A common misclassification occurs with HS code 7225.19, which is for non-grain-oriented electrical steel. Non-oriented steel has isotropic magnetic properties and is used in rotating machinery like motors, whereas grain-oriented steel is anisotropic and used in static transformers. Another error is using 7226.11, which also covers grain-oriented silicon-electrical steel but is restricted to products with a width of less than 600 mm. Importers must ensure the width of the roll or sheet is correctly measured to choose between 7225 and 7226.
Top exporters and importers of HS 722511 (the code used for grain-oriented electrical steel), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 722511 (the code used for grain-oriented electrical steel) in UN Comtrade data was China, with 36% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was India, with 19% 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 722511, not only grain-oriented electrical steel.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 China $1.4B 36% of world exports
- 2 Japan $1.1B 29% of world exports
- 3 Russia* ~$272M 7.2% of world exports · partner records ↗
World total: $3.8B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 India $706M 19% of world imports
- 2 Mexico $417M 11% of world imports
- 3 Italy $393M 11% of world imports
World total: $3.6B 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 grain-oriented electrical steel
Brazil classifies grain-oriented electrical steel under NCM 7225.11.00: HS 7225.11 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 grain-oriented electrical steel
What is the HS code for Grain-oriented electrical steel?
The HS code for Grain-oriented electrical steel is 722511 (Steel, alloy; flat-rolled, width 600mm or more, of silicon-electrical steel, grain-oriented). For products with a width of 600 mm or more, the HS code is 7225.11.
How do I classify Grain-oriented electrical steel for customs?
Grain-oriented electrical steel is classified under HS code 722511 — Steel, alloy; flat-rolled, width 600mm or more, of silicon-electrical steel, grain-oriented. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.
What is the difference between 7225.11 and 7225.19?
7225.11 is for grain-oriented steel (directional magnetic properties), while 7225.19 is for non-grain-oriented steel (uniform magnetic properties).
Which countries are the top exporters of grain-oriented electrical steel (HS 722511)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 722511 (the code used for grain-oriented electrical steel) in UN Comtrade data were China ($1.4B, 36% of world exports), Japan ($1.1B) and Russia (about $272M). World exports came to about $3.8B, 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 grain-oriented electrical steel (HS 722511)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 722511 (the code used for grain-oriented electrical steel) in UN Comtrade data were India ($706M, 19% of world imports), Mexico ($417M) and Italy ($393M). World imports came to about $3.6B, 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 Grain-oriented electrical steel the same in all countries?
The base HS code 722511 for Grain-oriented electrical steel 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 grain-oriented electrical steel in Brazil?
In Brazil, grain-oriented electrical steel (HS 722511) is classified under NCM 7225.11.00.