Product classification

HS code for HR steel coil: 7208.37

Iron 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 10mm.

Classification of HR steel coil under HS 7208.37

HS code 7208.37 applies to flat-rolled products of iron or non-alloy steel, of a width of 600 mm or more, hot-rolled, not clad, plated or coated, in coils. The specific subheading 7208.37 is reserved for products with a thickness of 4.75 mm or more but not exceeding 10 mm. Classification in this category requires the steel to be in a coiled form directly from the rolling mill. The "hot-rolled" designation implies the steel was processed at temperatures above its recrystallization temperature (typically over 1,700°F), which distinguishes it from cold-rolled steel. The absence of patterns in relief (such as grooves, ribs, or checkers) is a requirement for this specific code. This material is a primary industrial input used for further processing into structural components, pipes, and heavy machinery parts.

Covers
  • Hot-rolled non-alloy steel coils (4.75mm to 10mm thickness)
  • Black hot-rolled coils within the specified thickness range
  • Wide hot-rolled steel strip in coils
  • Hot-rolled sheet steel in continuous coils
Also under 7208.37
  • ArcelorMittal HR Coil
  • POSCO HR Steel Plate
  • Nippon Steel HR Coil
  • Tata Steel Hot Rolled Coil

Codes often confused with 7208.37

Common mistake. The most frequent misclassification occurs with HS code 7208.38, which covers hot-rolled coils with a thickness of 3 mm or more but less than 4.75 mm. Precise measurement is required to distinguish between these two. Another common error is 7208.52, which covers steel of the same thickness and width but "not in coils" (plates). If the product has been uncoiled and cut to length, it must move to the 7208.5x series. Additionally, if the steel is "pickled" (treated with acid to remove scale), it should be classified under 7208.27 rather than 7208.37.

7208.38Iron or non-alloy steel; in coils, without patterns in relief, flat-rolled, of a width 600mm or more, hot-rolled, of a thickness of 3mm or more but less than 4.75mm7208.39Iron or non-alloy steel; in coils, without patterns in relief, flat-rolled, of a width 600mm or more, hot-rolled, of a thickness of less than 3mm7208.36Iron or non-alloy steel; in coils, without patterns in relief, flat-rolled, of a width 600mm or more, hot-rolled, of a thickness exceeding 10mm7208.52Iron 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 10mm72.08Iron or non-alloy steel; flat-rolled products of a width of 600mm or more, hot-rolled, not clad, plated or coated7208.27Iron 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 less than 3mm

Top exporters and importers of HS 720837 (the code used for HR steel coil), 2025

In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 720837 (the code used for HR steel coil) in UN Comtrade data was China, with 30% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Italy, with 14% of world imports. Vietnam did not report 2025 data, and its estimate from partner records misses its trade with other countries that did not report: in 2024 that was 5.6% of its imports here ($41M, CEPII BACI), so it may rank higher.

Figures cover everything classified under HS 720837, not only HR steel coil.

Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports

  1. 1 China $1.5B
  2. 2 South Korea $455M
  3. 3 Türkiye $395M

World total: $5.2B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗

Top importers 2025 · share of world imports

  1. 1 Italy $740M
  2. 2 Vietnam* ~$713M
  3. 3 United Arab Emirates* ~$311M

Vietnam did not report 2025 data, and its estimate from partner records misses its trade with other countries that did not report: in 2024 that was 5.6% of its imports here ($41M, CEPII BACI), so it may rank higher.

World total: $5.4B 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 HR steel coil

Brazil classifies HR steel coil under NCM 7208.37.00: HS 7208.37 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 HR steel coil

What is the HS code for HR steel coil?

The HS code for HR steel coil is 720837 (Iron 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 10mm). For hot-rolled non-alloy steel in coils with a thickness between 4.75mm and 10mm and width over 600mm, the HS code is 7208.37.

How do I classify HR steel coil for customs?

HR steel coil is classified under HS code 720837 — Iron 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 10mm. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.

What if the coil is less than 600mm wide?

If the width is less than 600mm, the product is classified under heading 7211 instead of 7208.

Which countries are the top exporters of HR steel coil (HS 720837)?

In 2025, the top exporters of HS 720837 (the code used for HR steel coil) in UN Comtrade data were China ($1.5B, 30% of world exports), South Korea ($455M) and Türkiye ($395M). World exports came to about $5.2B, 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 HR steel coil (HS 720837)?

In 2025, the top importers of HS 720837 (the code used for HR steel coil) in UN Comtrade data were Italy ($740M, 14% of world imports), Vietnam (about $713M) and the United Arab Emirates (about $311M). World imports came to about $5.4B, adding countries' reported figures and partner-based estimates for those that did not report (UN Comtrade data). Vietnam did not report 2025 data, and its estimate from partner records misses its trade with other countries that did not report: in 2024 that was 5.6% of its imports here ($41M, CEPII BACI), so it may rank higher.

Is the HS code for HR steel coil the same in all countries?

The base HS code 720837 for HR 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 HR steel coil in Brazil?

In Brazil, HR steel coil (HS 720837) is classified under NCM 7208.37.00.