Product classification
HS code for Hot rolled pickled steel coil: 7208.26
Iron or non-alloy steel, in coils, without patterns in relief, flat-rolled, of a width 600mm or more, hot-rolled, pickled, of a thickness of 3mm or more but less than 4.75mm.
Classification of hot rolled pickled steel coil under HS 7208.26
The classification of Hot Rolled Pickled Steel Coil under HS code 7208.26 is determined by several specific technical criteria defined in the Harmonized System's General Rules of Interpretation (GRI). Firstly, the material must be iron or non-alloy steel, as defined by the chemical composition limits in Note 1(f) to Chapter 72. Secondly, the product must be 'flat-rolled,' meaning it has a rectangular cross-section and does not meet the definitions of bars, rods, or wire. The width must be 600mm or more, placing it within the 7208 heading rather than 7211. The 'pickled' designation is crucial; this refers to a chemical process where the steel is passed through an acid bath (usually hydrochloric or sulfuric acid) to remove surface oxides and scale resulting from the hot-rolling process. Finally, the thickness must be at least 3mm but less than 4.75mm to satisfy the requirements of subheading 7208.26. This classification follows GRI 1 (terms of the headings) and GRI 6 (subheading level comparison).
- Covers
- Hot-rolled pickled and oiled (HRPO) steel coils
- Acid-washed hot-rolled steel coils in specified thickness
- Non-alloy steel coils, width >600mm, thickness 3mm-4.74mm, pickled
- Descaled hot-rolled steel coils for automotive or appliance manufacturing
- Also under 7208.26
- ArcelorMittal HRPO coils (medium gauge)
- Nucor medium gauge pickled steel
- Tata Steel pickled coils
- Baosteel hot-rolled pickled coils
Codes often confused with 7208.26
Common mistake. This product is frequently confused with HS code 7208.38, which covers hot-rolled coils of the same thickness that have NOT been pickled. The presence of mill scale is the deciding factor. It is also often confused with 7208.25 (thickness 4.75mm or more) and 7208.27 (thickness less than 3mm). Importers must ensure that the mill test certificate (MTC) explicitly states the pickling process and the precise thickness to avoid penalties under these similar codes.
Top exporters and importers of HS 720826 (the code used for hot rolled pickled steel coil), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 720826 (the code used for hot rolled pickled steel coil) in UN Comtrade data was South Korea, with 17% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Germany, with 13% 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 720826, not only hot rolled pickled steel coil.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 South Korea $438M 17% of world exports
- 2 Belgium $397M 16% of world exports
- 3 Egypt $294M 12% of world exports
World total: $2.5B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 Germany $298M 13% of world imports
- 2 Thailand $223M 10% of world imports
- 3 Mexico $167M 7.5% of world imports
World total: $2.2B 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 hot rolled pickled steel coil
Brazil splits HS 7208.26 into 2 NCM codes. Pick the one that matches your product:
- 7208.26.10Pickled hot-rolled coil 3-4.75 mm, 355 MPa yield
- 7208.26.90Other pickled hot-rolled coil, 3 to under 4.75 mm
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 hot rolled pickled steel coil
What is the HS code for Hot rolled pickled steel coil?
The HS code for Hot rolled pickled steel coil is 720826 (Iron or non-alloy steel; in coils, without patterns in relief, flat-rolled, of a width 600mm or more, hot-rolled, pickled, of a thickness of 3mm or more but less than 4.75mm). The specific HS code for hot rolled pickled steel coil of non-alloy steel, with a width of 600mm or more and a thickness between 3mm and 4.75mm, is 7208.26.
How do I classify Hot rolled pickled steel coil for customs?
Hot rolled pickled steel coil is classified under HS code 720826 — Iron or non-alloy steel; in coils, without patterns in relief, flat-rolled, of a width 600mm or more, hot-rolled, pickled, of a thickness of 3mm or more but less than 4.75mm. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.
Does 'oiled' change the HS code classification?
No, the application of oil for rust prevention is considered a standard surface treatment for pickled steel and does not move the product out of heading 7208, provided it has not been further worked beyond hot-rolling and pickling.
Which countries are the top exporters of hot rolled pickled steel coil (HS 720826)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 720826 (the code used for hot rolled pickled steel coil) in UN Comtrade data were South Korea ($438M, 17% of world exports), Belgium ($397M) and Egypt ($294M). World exports came to about $2.5B, 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 hot rolled pickled steel coil (HS 720826)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 720826 (the code used for hot rolled pickled steel coil) in UN Comtrade data were Germany ($298M, 13% of world imports), Thailand ($223M) and Mexico ($167M). World imports came to about $2.2B, 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 Hot rolled pickled steel coil the same in all countries?
The base HS code 720826 for Hot rolled pickled steel coil 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 hot rolled pickled steel coil in Brazil?
Brazil splits HS 720826 into 2 NCM codes, so the right one for hot rolled pickled steel coil depends on the product's details: 7208.26.10 (Pickled hot-rolled coil 3-4.75 mm, 355 MPa yield), 7208.26.90 (Other pickled hot-rolled coil, 3 to under 4.75 mm).