Product classification
HS code for High purity iron: 7203.90
Ferrous products, spongy ferrous products and iron having a minimum purity by weight of 99.94%, in lumps, pellets or similar forms.
Classification of high purity iron under HS 7203.90
High purity iron is classified under HS code 7203.90. This classification is reserved for ferrous products obtained by the direct reduction of iron ore and other spongy ferrous products, as well as iron having a minimum purity by weight of 99.94%. This material is distinct from standard pig iron or steel because of its extremely low level of impurities (such as carbon, silicon, and manganese). The HS code 7203 covers iron in primary forms like lumps, pellets, or similar shapes. High purity iron is often produced through electrolytic processes or specialized direct reduction techniques and is used in high-end applications like magnetic core manufacturing, laboratory research, and the production of specialized alloys where contaminant control is critical.
- Covers
- Electrolytic iron in lumps or broken plates
- High purity iron pellets (≥ 99.94% purity)
- Sponge iron with ultra-high purity levels
- Direct reduced iron (DRI) meeting purity standards
- Iron briquettes for vacuum melting
- Also under 7203.90
- JFE Steel's high-purity iron
- Höganäs AB's iron powders
- Rio Tinto's high-purity iron
- Alfa Aesar's high-purity iron
Codes often confused with 7203.90
Common mistake. High purity iron is frequently misclassified as standard pig iron (7201) or ferrous waste and scrap (7204). Pig iron typically has a much higher carbon content (usually > 2%), whereas high purity iron is defined by its lack of carbon and other elements. Another common error is classifying it under 7205 (granules and powders). While the chemical purity might be the same, 7205 is strictly for products that meet the physical size requirements for powders or granules; if the iron is in larger lumps or pellets, it must remain in 7203.90.
Top exporters and importers of HS 720390 (the code used for high purity iron), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 720390 (the code used for high purity iron) in UN Comtrade data was the United States, with 69% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Türkiye, with 38% 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 720390, not only high purity iron.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 United States $326M 69% of world exports
- 2 Libya* ~$51M 11% of world exports · partner records ↗
- 3 France $20M 4.3% of world exports
World total: $473M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 Türkiye $88M 38% of world imports
- 2 India $51M 22% of world imports
- 3 Indonesia $23M 9.9% of world imports
World total: $234M 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 high purity iron
Brazil classifies high purity iron under NCM 7203.90.00: HS 7203.90 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 high purity iron
What is the HS code for High purity iron?
The HS code for High purity iron is 720390 (Ferrous products; spongy ferrous products and iron having a minimum purity by weight of 99.94%, in lumps, pellets or similar forms). Iron with a minimum purity of 99.94% by weight in lumps or pellets is classified under HS code 7203.90.
How do I classify High purity iron for customs?
High purity iron is classified under HS code 720390 — Ferrous products; spongy ferrous products and iron having a minimum purity by weight of 99.94%, in lumps, pellets or similar forms. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.
Is electrolytic iron classified differently?
If the electrolytic iron is in the form of lumps, pellets, or similar primary forms and meets the 99.94% purity threshold, it is classified under 7203.90.
Which countries are the top exporters of high purity iron (HS 720390)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 720390 (the code used for high purity iron) in UN Comtrade data were the United States ($326M, 69% of world exports), Libya (about $51M) and France ($20M). World exports came to about $473M, 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 high purity iron (HS 720390)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 720390 (the code used for high purity iron) in UN Comtrade data were Türkiye ($88M, 38% of world imports), India ($51M) and Indonesia ($23M). World imports came to about $234M, 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 High purity iron the same in all countries?
The base HS code 720390 for High purity iron 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 high purity iron in Brazil?
In Brazil, high purity iron (HS 720390) is classified under NCM 7203.90.00.