Product classification

HS code for Hot rolled steel flats: 7211.13

Iron or non-alloy steel, flat-rolled, hot-rolled, rolled on four faces or in a closed box pass, of a width more than 150mm but less than 600mm, 4mm thick or more, not in coils, without patterns in relief.

Classification of hot rolled steel flats under HS 7211.13

Hot rolled steel flats, specifically those rolled on four faces or in a closed box pass with a width between 150 mm and 600 mm and a thickness of at least 4 mm, are classified under HS code 7211.13. These products are often referred to in the industry as 'universal plates.' Chapter 72 governs iron and steel products, and heading 7211 covers flat-rolled products of iron or non-alloy steel of a width of less than 600 mm. The subheading 7211.13 is precise about the manufacturing method (hot-rolled on four faces) and the dimensions. The 'four faces' rolling process ensures that the edges are as well-defined and square as the surfaces, which distinguishes these flats from products simply slit from wider sheets. To qualify for this code, the product must be supplied in straight lengths (not in coils) and must not feature any patterns in relief. The classification is strictly determined by these physical measurements and the specific rolling technique as per the Explanatory Notes to the Harmonized System.

Covers
  • Universal steel plates (width 200mm, thickness 10mm)
  • Hot-rolled steel flats rolled on four faces
  • Non-alloy steel flat bars (width 400mm, thickness 6mm)
  • Closed box pass hot-rolled steel sections
  • Straight-length steel flats for structural frames
Also under 7211.13
  • ArcelorMittal hot-rolled flats
  • Nippon Steel structural sections
  • POSCO heavy gauge steel
  • Tata Steel industrial bars
  • SSAB hot-rolled plates

Codes often confused with 7211.13

Common mistake. These flats are often misclassified under HS code 7208.90 if the width is incorrectly measured as being 600mm or more. Another common error is using HS code 7211.14, which is for hot-rolled steel flats with a thickness of less than 4 mm. If the product is hot-rolled but not on four faces (e.g., it was slit from a wider coil), it may fall under 7211.19. Furthermore, if the steel is cold-rolled, it must be classified under subheadings 7211.23 through 7211.29.

7208.90Iron or non-alloy steel; flat-rolled, hot-rolled, of a width 600mm or more, n.e.c. in heading no. 72087211.14Iron or non-alloy steel; flat-rolled, hot-rolled, of a width less than 600mm, 4.75mm thick or more, excluding those of item no. 7211.137211.19Iron or non-alloy steel; flat-rolled, hot-rolled, of a width less than 600mm, less than 4.75mm thick, excluding those of item no. 7211.137211.23Iron or non-alloy steel; flat-rolled, cold-rolled, of a width less than 600mm, containing by weight less than 0.25% of carbon7211.29Iron or non-alloy steel; flat-rolled, cold-rolled, of a width less than 600mm, containing by weight 0.25% or more of carbon

Top exporters and importers of HS 721113 (the code used for hot rolled steel flats), 2025

In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 721113 (the code used for hot rolled steel flats) in UN Comtrade data was Italy, with 22% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Germany, with 21% 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 721113, not only hot rolled steel flats.

Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports

  1. 1 Italy $37M
  2. 2 Czechia $28M
  3. 3 France $26M

World total: $166M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗

Top importers 2025 · share of world imports

  1. 1 Germany $39M
  2. 2 Netherlands $21M
  3. 3 Denmark $17M

World total: $187M 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 hot rolled steel flats

Brazil classifies hot rolled steel flats under NCM 7211.13.00: HS 7211.13 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 hot rolled steel flats

What is the HS code for Hot rolled steel flats?

The HS code for Hot rolled steel flats is 721113 (Iron or non-alloy steel; flat-rolled, hot-rolled, rolled on four faces or in a closed box pass, of a width more than 150mm but less than 600mm, 4mm thick or more, not in coils, without patterns in relief). The HS code for hot-rolled steel flats (universal plates) with a width of 150mm-600mm and thickness of 4mm or more is 7211.13.

How do I classify Hot rolled steel flats for customs?

Hot rolled steel flats is classified under HS code 721113 — Iron or non-alloy steel; flat-rolled, hot-rolled, rolled on four faces or in a closed box pass, of a width more than 150mm but less than 600mm, 4mm thick or more, not in coils, without patterns in relief. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.

What is the difference between 7211.13 and 7211.14?

The primary difference is thickness; 7211.13 is for products 4mm thick or more, while 7211.14 is for products less than 4mm thick.

Which countries are the top exporters of hot rolled steel flats (HS 721113)?

In 2025, the top exporters of HS 721113 (the code used for hot rolled steel flats) in UN Comtrade data were Italy ($37M, 22% of world exports), Czechia ($28M) and France ($26M). World exports came to about $166M, 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 steel flats (HS 721113)?

In 2025, the top importers of HS 721113 (the code used for hot rolled steel flats) in UN Comtrade data were Germany ($39M, 21% of world imports), the Netherlands ($21M) and Denmark ($17M). World imports came to about $187M, 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 steel flats the same in all countries?

The base HS code 721113 for Hot rolled steel flats 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 steel flats in Brazil?

In Brazil, hot rolled steel flats (HS 721113) is classified under NCM 7211.13.00.