Product classification

HS code for Hot rolled steel plate: 7208.52

Iron or non-alloy steel, (not in coils), flat-rolled, of a width 600mm or more, hot-rolled, without patterns in relief, of a thickness of 4.75mm or more but not exceeding 10mm.

Classification of hot rolled steel plate under HS 7208.52

Hot rolled steel plate is classified under HS code 7208.52 when it meets the criteria for flat-rolled products of iron or non-alloy steel that are not presented in coils. The classification process begins with Heading 7208, which covers products of a width of 600mm or more. Because the product is 'not in coils,' it falls into the subheadings starting with 7208.5. The specific code 7208.52 is reserved for plates with a thickness of 4.75mm or more but not exceeding 10mm. These products are typically produced by hot-rolling a slab and then cutting it to specific lengths (discrete plates) rather than winding it. The absence of patterns in relief (such as floor plates) is also a requirement for this specific code, as patterned plates are classified under 7208.90 or 7208.10 depending on their form.

Covers
  • Discrete hot-rolled steel plates
  • Cut-to-length steel sheets (non-alloy)
  • Heavy gauge flat-rolled steel (4.75mm-10mm) not wound
  • Structural steel plates for construction and shipbuilding
Also under 7208.52
  • Tata Steel HR Plate
  • JSW Steel Plate
  • US Steel HR Plate
  • ThyssenKrupp Medium Plate

Codes often confused with 7208.52

Common mistake. This code is often confused with 7208.37. While both cover the 4.75mm to 10mm thickness range, 7208.37 is for coils, whereas 7208.52 is for flat plates. It is also confused with 7208.51, which is for plates exceeding 10mm in thickness. If the plate has been cold-rolled after the hot-rolling process, it must be classified under heading 7209 regardless of its thickness.

7208.53Iron or non-alloy steel; (not in coils), flat-rolled, of a width 600mm or more, hot-rolled, without patterns in relief, of a thickness of 3mm or more but less than 4.75mm7208.54Iron or non-alloy steel; (not in coils), flat-rolled, of a width 600mm or more, hot-rolled, without patterns in relief, of a thickness of less than 3mm7208.51Iron or non-alloy steel; (not in coils), flat-rolled, of a width 600mm or more, hot-rolled, without patterns in relief, of a thickness exceeding 10mm7208.90Iron or non-alloy steel; flat-rolled, hot-rolled, of a width 600mm or more, n.e.c. in heading no. 72087208.37Iron or non-alloy steel; in coils, without patterns in relief, flat-rolled, of a width 600mm or more, hot-rolled, of a thickness of 4.75mm or more but not exceeding 10mm72.09Iron or non-alloy steel; flat-rolled products, width 600mm or more, cold-rolled (cold-reduced), not clad, plated or coated

Top exporters and importers of HS 720852 (the code used for hot rolled steel plate), 2025

In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 720852 (the code used for hot rolled steel plate) in UN Comtrade data was China, with 28% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Germany, with 9.6% 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 720852, not only hot rolled steel plate.

Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports

  1. 1 China $1.2B
  2. 2 Japan $278M
  3. 3 Netherlands $264M

World total: $4.2B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗

Top importers 2025 · share of world imports

  1. 1 Germany $418M
  2. 2 Vietnam* ~$317M
  3. 3 France $231M

World total: $4.4B 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 hot rolled steel plate

Brazil classifies hot rolled steel plate under NCM 7208.52.00: HS 7208.52 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 plate

What is the HS code for Hot rolled steel plate?

The HS code for Hot rolled steel plate is 720852 (Iron or non-alloy steel; (not in coils), flat-rolled, of a width 600mm or more, hot-rolled, without patterns in relief, of a thickness of 4.75mm or more but not exceeding 10mm). The HS code for hot-rolled non-alloy steel plate (not in coils) with a width of 600mm or more and a thickness of 4.75mm to 10mm is 7208.52.

How do I classify Hot rolled steel plate for customs?

Hot rolled steel plate is classified under HS code 720852 — Iron or non-alloy steel; (not in coils), flat-rolled, of a width 600mm or more, hot-rolled, without patterns in relief, of a thickness of 4.75mm or more but not exceeding 10mm. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.

Can 7208.52 include alloy steel?

No, 7208.52 is strictly for iron or non-alloy steel. Alloy steel plates (such as those containing boron or high manganese) are classified under heading 7225.

Which countries are the top exporters of hot rolled steel plate (HS 720852)?

In 2025, the top exporters of HS 720852 (the code used for hot rolled steel plate) in UN Comtrade data were China ($1.2B, 28% of world exports), Japan ($278M) and the Netherlands ($264M). World exports came to about $4.2B, 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.

Which countries are the top importers of hot rolled steel plate (HS 720852)?

In 2025, the top importers of HS 720852 (the code used for hot rolled steel plate) in UN Comtrade data were Germany ($418M, 9.6% of world imports), Vietnam (about $317M) and France ($231M). World imports came to about $4.4B, 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 plate the same in all countries?

The base HS code 720852 for Hot rolled steel plate 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 plate in Brazil?

In Brazil, hot rolled steel plate (HS 720852) is classified under NCM 7208.52.00.