Product classification
HS code for High speed steel strip: 7226.20
Steel, alloy, flat-rolled, width less than 600mm, of high speed steel.
Classification of high speed steel strip under HS 7226.20
High speed steel strip is classified under HS code 7226.20, which covers flat-rolled products of alloy steel with a width of less than 600 mm. The classification logic follows a specific hierarchy: first, the material must be identified as alloy steel; second, it must meet the chemical definition of high speed steel (containing specific levels of tungsten, molybdenum, and vanadium); and third, its dimensions must categorize it as "strip" or narrow flat-rolled product. Heading 7226 is reserved for products that do not meet the width threshold of 600 mm, which would otherwise place them under heading 7225. These strips are essential in the production of saw blades, power tool components, and specialized industrial knives. The classification remains consistent regardless of whether the product is hot-rolled or cold-rolled, provided the width and chemical composition criteria are met. The precision of the width is the primary factor that separates this code from broader steel plate classifications.
- Covers
- Cold-rolled high speed steel strip
- Hot-rolled narrow high speed steel flats
- High speed steel coil strip (width < 600mm)
- Bimetal saw blade backing strip (if high speed steel)
- Hardened and tempered high speed steel strip
- Also under 7226.20
- Bohler S600
- Sandvik Coromant HSS
- Kennametal HSS
- Sumitomo HSS
- Hitachi Metals HSS
Codes often confused with 7226.20
Common mistake. High speed steel strip is often misclassified under HS code 7225.20. Code 7225 is for flat-rolled products with a width of 600 mm or more. If the strip is 599 mm wide, it belongs in 7226.20; if it is 601 mm wide, it belongs in 7225.20. Another error involves 7211.00, which is for non-alloy steel strips. Since high speed steel is by definition an alloy steel, it must stay within the 7226 range. Finally, finished saw blades are classified in 8202, not 7226, even if they are made of high speed steel strip.
Top exporters and importers of HS 722620 (the code used for high speed steel strip), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 722620 (the code used for high speed steel strip) in UN Comtrade data was Sweden, with 26% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was China, with 28% 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 722620, not only high speed steel strip.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 Sweden $12M 26% of world exports
- 2 Japan $7.9M 18% of world exports
- 3 Germany $6.8M 15% of world exports
World total: $44M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 China $17M 28% of world imports
- 2 Italy $5.7M 9.5% of world imports
- 3 United States $4.5M 7.4% of world imports
World total: $60M 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 codes for high speed steel strip
Brazil splits HS 7226.20 into 2 NCM codes. Pick the one that matches your product:
- 7226.20.10Narrow high speed steel, 1-4 mm thick
- 7226.20.90Other narrow high speed steel flats
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 speed steel strip
What is the HS code for High speed steel strip?
The HS code for High speed steel strip is 722620 (Steel, alloy; flat-rolled, width less than 600mm, of high speed steel). The HS code for high speed steel strip (flat-rolled, width less than 600 mm) is 7226.20.
How do I classify High speed steel strip for customs?
High speed steel strip is classified under HS code 722620 — Steel, alloy; flat-rolled, width less than 600mm, of high speed steel. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.
Does the thickness of the strip change the HS code?
No, for high speed steel under 7226.20, the primary dimensional constraint is the width (less than 600 mm), not the thickness, though it must be a flat-rolled product.
Which countries are the top exporters of high speed steel strip (HS 722620)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 722620 (the code used for high speed steel strip) in UN Comtrade data were Sweden ($12M, 26% of world exports), Japan ($7.9M) and Germany ($6.8M). World exports came to about $44M, 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 speed steel strip (HS 722620)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 722620 (the code used for high speed steel strip) in UN Comtrade data were China ($17M, 28% of world imports), Italy ($5.7M) and the United States ($4.5M). World imports came to about $60M, 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 speed steel strip the same in all countries?
The base HS code 722620 for High speed steel strip 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 speed steel strip in Brazil?
Brazil splits HS 722620 into 2 NCM codes, so the right one for high speed steel strip depends on the product's details: 7226.20.10 (Narrow high speed steel, 1-4 mm thick), 7226.20.90 (Other narrow high speed steel flats).