Product classification
HS code for Spiegeleisen: 7201.50
Iron, alloy pig iron, spiegeleisen, in pigs, blocks or other primary forms.
Classification of spiegeleisen under HS 7201.50
Spiegeleisen is a specific type of pig iron characterized by its high manganese content, traditionally used in the steelmaking process as a deoxidizer and to add manganese to the melt. It is classified under Chapter 72 of the Harmonized System, which encompasses iron and steel. Heading 7201 is dedicated to pig iron and spiegeleisen in pigs, blocks, or other primary forms. Subheading 7201.50 specifically identifies alloy pig iron and spiegeleisen. According to the legal notes in Chapter 72, spiegeleisen is defined as an iron-carbon alloy containing by weight more than 6% but not more than 30% of manganese. This precise chemical threshold is critical for classification. The name "spiegeleisen" (German for "mirror iron") refers to the lustrous, reflective crystalline fractures visible in the metal. Because it is a primary form of iron, it is classified at the very beginning of the iron and steel chapter, reflecting its status as a raw material for further metallurgical processing.
- Covers
- Spiegeleisen in pigs
- Spiegeleisen in blocks
- Spiegeleisen in other primary forms (e.g., lumps)
- Alloy pig iron containing 6% to 30% manganese
- Also under 7201.50
- Spiegeleisen from Ukraine
- Alloy pig iron from China Steel
- POSCO alloyed pig iron
- Nippon Steel special pig iron
Codes often confused with 7201.50
Common mistake. Spiegeleisen is often confused with ferromanganese, which is classified under heading 7202. The distinction lies in the manganese and carbon content; ferromanganese typically contains more than 30% manganese by weight. Another common misclassification is with non-alloy pig iron under subheading 7201.10, which lacks the required manganese percentage. It is also important not to confuse spiegeleisen with steel scrap (7204) or other ferro-alloys that contain different alloying elements like silicon or chromium.
Top exporters and importers of HS 720150 (the code used for spiegeleisen), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 720150 (the code used for spiegeleisen) in UN Comtrade data was Indonesia, with 48% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was China, with 61% 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 720150, not only spiegeleisen.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 Indonesia $207M 48% of world exports
- 2 France $116M 27% of world exports
- 3 Russia* ~$71M 17% of world exports · partner records ↗
World total: $429M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 China $242M 61% of world imports
- 2 India $62M 16% of world imports
- 3 Spain $29M 7.4% of world imports
World total: $396M 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 spiegeleisen
Brazil classifies spiegeleisen under NCM 7201.50.00: HS 7201.50 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 spiegeleisen
What is the HS code for Spiegeleisen?
The HS code for Spiegeleisen is 720150 (Iron; alloy pig iron; spiegeleisen, in pigs, blocks or other primary forms). The HS code for spiegeleisen in primary forms is 7201.50.
How do I classify Spiegeleisen for customs?
Spiegeleisen is classified under HS code 720150 — Iron; alloy pig iron; spiegeleisen, in pigs, blocks or other primary forms. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.
What is the required manganese content for Spiegeleisen?
To be classified as spiegeleisen, the alloy must contain more than 6% but not more than 30% manganese by weight.
Which countries are the top exporters of spiegeleisen (HS 720150)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 720150 (the code used for spiegeleisen) in UN Comtrade data were Indonesia ($207M, 48% of world exports), France ($116M) and Russia (about $71M). World exports came to about $429M, 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 spiegeleisen (HS 720150)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 720150 (the code used for spiegeleisen) in UN Comtrade data were China ($242M, 61% of world imports), India ($62M) and Spain ($29M). World imports came to about $396M, 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 Spiegeleisen the same in all countries?
The base HS code 720150 for Spiegeleisen 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 spiegeleisen in Brazil?
In Brazil, spiegeleisen (HS 720150) is classified under NCM 7201.50.00.