Product classification
HS code for Plated steel wire: 7217.30
Iron or non-alloy steel, wire, plated or coated with base metals (other than zinc).
Classification of plated steel wire under HS 7217.30
Plated steel wire is classified under HS code 7217.30 based on its material composition and the nature of its surface treatment. To fall under heading 7217, the product must be iron or non-alloy steel in the form of wire, which is defined as cold-formed products in coils with any cross-sectional shape. The specific subheading 7217.30 is reserved for wire that has been plated or coated with base metals other than zinc. This includes wire coated with copper (often used in welding or electrical applications), nickel, or chromium. The classification process requires verifying that the steel is not "alloy steel" (which would move it to heading 7229) and that the coating is indeed a base metal rather than a plastic or organic coating. The manufacturing process typically involves drawing the wire to the desired diameter followed by an electroplating or hot-dip process to apply the metallic layer. This code is vital for the construction, automotive, and electronics industries where corrosion resistance or conductivity is required without the use of expensive alloy steels.
- Covers
- Copper-coated non-alloy steel welding wire
- Nickel-plated steel wire for industrial springs
- Chromium-plated steel wire for household goods
- Brass-plated steel wire used in tire reinforcement
- Tin-coated steel wire (other than for food packaging)
- Also under 7217.30
- Lincoln Electric copper-coated welding wire
- Bekaert copper-coated wire
- Sumitomo Electric tin-plated wire
- Sandvik special coated wire
- Prysmian copper-clad wire
Codes often confused with 7217.30
Common mistake. The most common misclassification occurs with HS code 7217.20, which is specifically for zinc-coated (galvanized) wire. Another common error is using 7217.10, which is for wire that is polished or cold-finished but not plated. If the wire is made of stainless steel, it must be classified under heading 7223. Furthermore, stranded wire or cables are classified under heading 7312, even if the individual strands are plated.
Top exporters and importers of HS 721730 (the code used for plated steel wire), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 721730 (the code used for plated steel wire) in UN Comtrade data was China, with 38% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Thailand, with 11% 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 721730, not only plated steel wire.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 China $434M 38% of world exports
- 2 Czechia $100M 8.7% of world exports
- 3 Slovakia $90M 7.9% of world exports
World total: $1.1B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 Thailand $138M 11% of world imports
- 2 Japan $70M 5.6% of world imports
- 3 Vietnam* ~$69M 5.5% of world imports · partner records ↗
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 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 codes for plated steel wire
Brazil splits HS 7217.30 into 2 NCM codes. Pick the one that matches your product:
- 7217.30.10Non-zinc metal-coated wire, 0.6% carbon or more
- 7217.30.90Non-zinc metal-coated wire, under 0.6% carbon
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 plated steel wire
What is the HS code for Plated steel wire?
The HS code for Plated steel wire is 721730 (Iron or non-alloy steel; wire, plated or coated with base metals (other than zinc)). The HS code for iron or non-alloy steel wire, plated or coated with base metals other than zinc, is 7217.30.
How do I classify Plated steel wire for customs?
Plated steel wire is classified under HS code 721730 — Iron or non-alloy steel; wire, plated or coated with base metals (other than zinc). This is a 6-digit subheading level code.
Is galvanized wire included in this code?
No, galvanized (zinc-coated) wire is classified under HS code 7217.20.
Which countries are the top exporters of plated steel wire (HS 721730)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 721730 (the code used for plated steel wire) in UN Comtrade data were China ($434M, 38% of world exports), Czechia ($100M) and Slovakia ($90M). World exports came to about $1.1B, 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 plated steel wire (HS 721730)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 721730 (the code used for plated steel wire) in UN Comtrade data were Thailand ($138M, 11% of world imports), Japan ($70M) and Vietnam (about $69M). 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 Plated steel wire the same in all countries?
The base HS code 721730 for Plated steel wire 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 plated steel wire in Brazil?
Brazil splits HS 721730 into 2 NCM codes, so the right one for plated steel wire depends on the product's details: 7217.30.10 (Non-zinc metal-coated wire, 0.6% carbon or more), 7217.30.90 (Non-zinc metal-coated wire, under 0.6% carbon).