Product classification
HS code for Large diameter welded pipe: 7305.12
Iron or steel (excluding cast iron), line pipe of a kind used for oil or gas pipelines (not seamless), longitudinally welded (not submerged arc welded), having circular cross-sections, external diameter exceeds 406.4mm.
Classification of large diameter welded pipe under HS 7305.12
The classification of large diameter welded pipes under HS code 7305.12 is determined by a combination of material, use, and specific manufacturing dimensions. According to the General Rules of Interpretation (GRI), specifically GRI 1 and 6, products are classified based on the terms of the headings and any relative section or chapter notes. Heading 7305 is reserved for pipes and tubes of iron or steel with an external diameter exceeding 406.4 mm. This specific subheading, 7305.12, is further refined to include line pipe used for oil or gas pipelines that are longitudinally welded. Crucially, this code excludes pipes manufactured using submerged arc welding, which are instead classified under 7305.11. The pipes must have a circular cross-section and be made of iron or non-alloy steel or alloy steel, but not cast iron. The 406.4 mm (16-inch) threshold is the primary differentiator between heading 7305 and heading 7306, the latter of which covers welded pipes of smaller diameters. These pipes are typically used in the construction of long-distance transmission lines for hydrocarbons, where the structural integrity of the longitudinal weld is paramount for safety and pressure containment.
- Covers
- Longitudinally welded steel line pipes for oil and gas
- Electric resistance welded (ERW) pipes with diameter >406.4mm
- High-frequency induction welded pipes for energy infrastructure
- Circular cross-section welded steel tubes for pipelines
- Also under 7305.12
- TMK ERW line pipe
- Welspun Corp HFW pipe
- JSW Steel ERW pipe
- Tenaris HFW pipe
Codes often confused with 7305.12
Common mistake. This code is often confused with 7305.11, which covers pipes of the same diameter but manufactured using longitudinal submerged arc welding (LSAW). It is also frequently confused with 7304, which is strictly for seamless pipes, or 7306, which covers welded pipes with an external diameter of 406.4 mm or less. Misidentifying the welding method is the most common cause of error.
Top exporters and importers of HS 730512 (the code used for large diameter welded pipe), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 730512 (the code used for large diameter welded pipe) in UN Comtrade data was Germany, with 25% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was the United States, with 29% 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 730512, not only large diameter welded pipe.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 Germany $214M 25% of world exports
- 2 China $174M 20% of world exports
- 3 Greece $133M 15% of world exports
World total: $862M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 United States $208M 29% of world imports
- 2 Qatar* ~$135M 19% of world imports · partner records ↗
- 3 United Arab Emirates* ~$63M 8.7% of world imports · partner records ↗
World total: $722M 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 large diameter welded pipe
Brazil classifies large diameter welded pipe under NCM 7305.12.00: HS 7305.12 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 large diameter welded pipe
What is the HS code for Large diameter welded pipe?
The HS code for Large diameter welded pipe is 730512 (Iron or steel (excluding cast iron); line pipe of a kind used for oil or gas pipelines (not seamless), longitudinally welded (not submerged arc welded), having circular cross-sections, external diameter exceeds 406.4mm). The HS code for large diameter longitudinally welded line pipe (not submerged arc) is 7305.12.
How do I classify Large diameter welded pipe for customs?
Large diameter welded pipe is classified under HS code 730512 — Iron or steel (excluding cast iron); line pipe of a kind used for oil or gas pipelines (not seamless), longitudinally welded (not submerged arc welded), having circular cross-sections, external diameter exceeds 406.4mm. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.
What is the difference between 7305.11 and 7305.12?
The primary difference lies in the welding technique; 7305.11 is for submerged arc welding, while 7305.12 covers other longitudinal welding methods like ERW.
Which countries are the top exporters of large diameter welded pipe (HS 730512)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 730512 (the code used for large diameter welded pipe) in UN Comtrade data were Germany ($214M, 25% of world exports), China ($174M) and Greece ($133M). World exports came to about $862M, 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 large diameter welded pipe (HS 730512)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 730512 (the code used for large diameter welded pipe) in UN Comtrade data were the United States ($208M, 29% of world imports), Qatar (about $135M) and the United Arab Emirates (about $63M). World imports came to about $722M, 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 Large diameter welded pipe the same in all countries?
The base HS code 730512 for Large diameter welded pipe 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 large diameter welded pipe in Brazil?
In Brazil, large diameter welded pipe (HS 730512) is classified under NCM 7305.12.00.