Product classification
HS code for Hollow drill rods: 7228.80
Steel, alloy or non-alloy, hollow drill bars and rods.
Classification of hollow drill rods under HS 7228.80
Hollow drill rods are classified under HS code 7228.80 because they represent a specific category of steel products designed for the manufacture of drill bits or for use as drill rods in mining and construction. According to the General Rules of Interpretation (GRI) and the Chapter 72 notes, these items are defined by their cross-section, which must be suitable for drilling. The classification covers both alloy and non-alloy steel variants, provided they meet the structural requirements of being hollow and having an external cross-section that is typically circular, hexagonal, or octagonal. The internal hole must be longitudinal and run the entire length of the rod, serving as a conduit for cooling fluids or air during the drilling process. Because these are semi-finished products or specific structural shapes rather than finished mechanical tools, they remain within the iron and steel chapter rather than the tools chapter.
- Covers
- Alloy steel hollow drill bars
- Non-alloy steel hollow drill rods
- Hexagonal hollow drill steel
- Circular cross-section hollow bars for rock drilling
- Octagonal hollow drill rods
- Also under 7228.80
- Sandvik drill rods
- Atlas Copco hollow drill steel
- Boart Longyear drill pipes
- Epiroc drilling tools
Codes often confused with 7228.80
Common mistake. Hollow drill rods are frequently confused with seamless tubes and pipes classified under HS code 7304. The primary distinction lies in the intended use and the metallurgical properties; 7228.80 is reserved for rods specifically shaped and hardened for drilling applications, whereas 7304 covers general-purpose fluid or gas transport piping. Another common error is classifying these under HS code 8207, which covers interchangeable tools for hand tools or machine tools. If the rod is a simple length of steel without a specialized tip or threading for immediate tool use, it belongs in 7228.80. If it has been further worked into a finished drill bit, it moves to Chapter 82.
Top exporters and importers of HS 722880 (the code used for hollow drill rods), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 722880 (the code used for hollow drill rods) in UN Comtrade data was Sweden, with 29% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Australia, with 18% 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 722880, not only hollow drill rods.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 Sweden $32M 29% of world exports
- 2 South Africa $14M 13% of world exports
- 3 Japan $9.5M 8.6% of world exports
World total: $111M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 Australia $35M 18% of world imports
- 2 Canada $19M 9.8% of world imports
- 3 South Africa $11M 5.7% 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 hollow drill rods
Brazil classifies hollow drill rods under NCM 7228.80.00: HS 7228.80 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 hollow drill rods
What is the HS code for Hollow drill rods?
The HS code for Hollow drill rods is 722880 (Steel, alloy or non-alloy; hollow drill bars and rods). The HS code for hollow drill rods is 7228.80, which specifically covers hollow drill bars and rods of alloy or non-alloy steel.
How do I classify Hollow drill rods for customs?
Hollow drill rods is classified under HS code 722880 — Steel, alloy or non-alloy; hollow drill bars and rods. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.
How does 7228.80 differ from standard steel tubing?
Standard steel tubing is classified in Chapter 73 (e.g., 7304), while 7228.80 is reserved for steel that meets specific tool-grade requirements and cross-sectional shapes intended for the drilling industry.
Which countries are the top exporters of hollow drill rods (HS 722880)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 722880 (the code used for hollow drill rods) in UN Comtrade data were Sweden ($32M, 29% of world exports), South Africa ($14M) and Japan ($9.5M). World exports came to about $111M, 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 hollow drill rods (HS 722880)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 722880 (the code used for hollow drill rods) in UN Comtrade data were Australia ($35M, 18% of world imports), Canada ($19M) and South Africa ($11M). 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 Hollow drill rods the same in all countries?
The base HS code 722880 for Hollow drill 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 hollow drill rods in Brazil?
In Brazil, hollow drill rods (HS 722880) is classified under NCM 7228.80.00.