Product classification
HS code for Hot-rolled steel strip: 7211.19
Iron or non-alloy steel, flat-rolled, hot-rolled, of a width less than 600mm, less than 4.75mm thick, excluding those of item no. 7211.13.
Classification of hot-rolled steel strip under HS 7211.19
HS code 7211.19 is assigned to flat-rolled products of iron or non-alloy steel that are hot-rolled and not further worked. To fall under this classification, the product must meet three primary criteria: width, thickness, and material. First, the width must be less than 600 mm, which distinguishes it from the wider sheets found in heading 7208. Second, the thickness must be less than 4.75 mm. Third, the material must be non-alloy steel as defined by the chemical thresholds in Chapter 72 Note 1(f). This specific subheading excludes products that are rolled on four faces or in a closed box pass (which fall under 7211.13). The classification process involves verifying that the strip has not been cold-rolled (cold-reduced) after the initial hot-rolling process. Hot-rolling occurs at temperatures above the recrystallization point of the steel, resulting in a specific surface finish and grain structure. If the strip is subsequently coated, plated, or clad with other metals, it is removed from heading 7211 entirely and moved to heading 7212. Proper classification requires precise measurement of the strip's dimensions and a mill test certificate to confirm the chemical composition and the extent of the manufacturing work performed.
- Covers
- Hot-rolled narrow steel strip in coils
- Slit-edge hot-rolled steel hoop
- Non-alloy steel band for industrial strapping
- Hot-rolled flat steel under 600mm width for pipe manufacturing
- Low-carbon hot-rolled steel strip for stamping
- Also under 7211.19
- SSAB hot-rolled thin strips
- JFE Steel automotive blanks
- Nucor light gauge steel
- ThyssenKrupp precision hot-rolled coils
- Hyundai Steel hot-rolled narrow strips.
Codes often confused with 7211.19
Common mistake. The most common misclassification occurs with HS code 7208, which covers hot-rolled flat products with a width of 600 mm or more. Even a slight deviation in width measurement can change the heading. Additionally, 7211.14 is often confused with 7211.19; the former is for products with a thickness of 4.75 mm or more. Another frequent error is classifying cold-rolled strip under this code; cold-rolled products of this width belong in subheadings 7211.23 or 7211.29. Finally, if the strip is made of stainless steel, it must be classified in heading 7220.
Top exporters and importers of HS 721119 (the code used for hot-rolled steel strip), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 721119 (the code used for hot-rolled steel strip) in UN Comtrade data was Germany, with 27% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Germany, with 12% 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 721119, not only hot-rolled steel strip.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 Germany $375M 27% of world exports
- 2 Italy $157M 11% of world exports
- 3 China $131M 9.4% of world exports
World total: $1.4B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 Germany $161M 12% of world imports
- 2 Czechia $123M 9.5% of world imports
- 3 Poland $120M 9.2% of world imports
World total: $1.3B 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 strip
Brazil classifies hot-rolled steel strip under NCM 7211.19.00: HS 7211.19 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 strip
What is the HS code for Hot-rolled steel strip?
The HS code for Hot-rolled steel strip is 721119 (Iron or non-alloy steel; flat-rolled, hot-rolled, of a width less than 600mm, less than 4.75mm thick, excluding those of item no. 7211.13). The HS code for hot-rolled steel strip (iron or non-alloy) with a width less than 600 mm and thickness less than 4.75 mm is 7211.19.
How do I classify Hot-rolled steel strip for customs?
Hot-rolled steel strip is classified under HS code 721119 — Iron or non-alloy steel; flat-rolled, hot-rolled, of a width less than 600mm, less than 4.75mm thick, excluding those of item no. 7211.13. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.
Can 7211.19 be used for alloy steel strips?
No, 7211.19 is strictly for iron or non-alloy steel. Alloy steel strips of a width less than 600 mm are classified under heading 7226.
Which countries are the top exporters of hot-rolled steel strip (HS 721119)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 721119 (the code used for hot-rolled steel strip) in UN Comtrade data were Germany ($375M, 27% of world exports), Italy ($157M) and China ($131M). World exports came to about $1.4B, 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.
Which countries are the top importers of hot-rolled steel strip (HS 721119)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 721119 (the code used for hot-rolled steel strip) in UN Comtrade data were Germany ($161M, 12% of world imports), Czechia ($123M) and Poland ($120M). World imports came to about $1.3B, 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 strip the same in all countries?
The base HS code 721119 for Hot-rolled 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 hot-rolled steel strip in Brazil?
In Brazil, hot-rolled steel strip (HS 721119) is classified under NCM 7211.19.00.