Product classification

HS code for HR 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 HR steel plate under HS 7208.52

HS code 7208.52 covers flat-rolled products of iron or non-alloy steel, of a width of 600 mm or more, hot-rolled, not clad, plated or coated, and specifically not in coils. This code is designated for "plates" or "sheets" that have been cut to length or produced in discrete flat pieces. The thickness must be at least 4.75 mm but not more than 10 mm. Unlike coiled products, these items are typically used in structural applications where flatness and specific lengths are required immediately upon delivery. The classification is driven by the physical form (flat/not coiled), the metallurgical state (hot-rolled, non-alloy), and the precise thickness measurement. These plates are commonly used in shipbuilding, bridge construction, and heavy equipment manufacturing where the material must meet specific load-bearing requirements.

Covers
  • Hot-rolled steel plates (4.75mm to 10mm thickness)
  • Discrete hot-rolled steel sheets
  • Cut-to-length hot-rolled non-alloy steel
  • Flat-rolled steel floor plates (without patterns in relief)
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, which covers the exact same material specifications but in "coiled" form. The distinction is purely the physical state of the product at the time of customs entry. Another common misclassification is 7208.51, which is for plates with a thickness exceeding 10 mm. If the plate has patterns in relief (like diamond tread), it must be classified under 7208.90 or 7208.10 depending on the specific nature of the pattern. Finally, if the steel is alloyed (e.g., stainless steel), it moves to heading 7219 or 7225.

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 10mm7208.37Iron 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 10mm7208.90Iron or non-alloy steel; flat-rolled, hot-rolled, of a width 600mm or more, n.e.c. in heading no. 72087208.10Iron or non-alloy steel; in coils, flat-rolled, of a width 600mm or more, hot-rolled, with patterns in relief72.19Stainless steel; flat-rolled products of width of 600mm or more72.25Alloy steel flat-rolled products, of a width 600mm or more

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

In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 720852 (the code used for HR 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 HR 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 HR steel plate

Brazil classifies HR 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 HR steel plate

What is the HS code for HR steel plate?

The HS code for HR 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 thickness of 4.75mm to 10mm and width over 600mm is 7208.52.

How do I classify HR steel plate for customs?

HR 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.

Does this code include pickled plates?

No, if the plates are pickled (acid-treated), they are generally classified under different subheadings within 7208, though the "not in coils" pickled section is less common than the coiled pickled section.

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

In 2025, the top exporters of HS 720852 (the code used for HR 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 HR steel plate (HS 720852)?

In 2025, the top importers of HS 720852 (the code used for HR 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 HR steel plate the same in all countries?

The base HS code 720852 for HR 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 HR steel plate in Brazil?

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