Product classification
HS code for Sponge iron: 7203.90
Ferrous products, spongy ferrous products and iron having a minimum purity by weight of 99.94%, in lumps, pellets or similar forms.
Classification of sponge iron under HS 7203.90
Sponge iron, technically known as Direct Reduced Iron (DRI), is classified under HS code 7203.90. This classification is determined by the Harmonized System's General Rules of Interpretation (GRI) 1 and 6, which prioritize the specific description of the product's manufacturing process and physical state. Sponge iron is produced through the direct reduction of iron ore (in the form of lumps, pellets, or fines) by a reducing gas or elemental carbon produced from natural gas or coal. Unlike pig iron, which is produced in a blast furnace and involves melting the ore, sponge iron is produced in a solid state, resulting in a porous, spongy texture. The HS code 7203 specifically covers ferrous products obtained by direct reduction of iron ore and other spongy ferrous products. Subheading 7203.90 is utilized for these products when they do not meet the specific high-purity threshold (99.94% by weight) required for subheading 7203.10. This classification is essential for customs purposes as it distinguishes raw metallurgical materials from processed steel or scrap metal, ensuring appropriate tariff application based on the material's chemical composition and production method.
- Covers
- Direct Reduced Iron (DRI) in pellets
- Sponge iron lumps
- Hot Briquetted Iron (HBI)
- Spongy ferrous products obtained from molten pig iron by atomization
- Iron of a purity exceeding 99.94% in lumps or pellets
- Also under 7203.90
- JFE Steel's high-purity iron
- Höganäs AB's iron powders
- Rio Tinto's high-purity iron
- Alfa Aesar's high-purity iron
Codes often confused with 7203.90
Common mistake. Sponge iron is frequently misclassified under HS code 7201, which covers pig iron and spiegeleisen. The primary distinction lies in the production process; pig iron is a product of smelting and is typically cast into pigs or blocks, whereas sponge iron is reduced in a solid state. Another common error is classifying sponge iron as ferrous waste and scrap under HS code 7204. While sponge iron is used as a substitute for scrap in electric arc furnaces, it is a primary manufactured product rather than a secondary waste material. Importers must also distinguish it from iron powders classified under 7205, which have a much finer particulate size than the lumps or pellets found in 7203.90.
Top exporters and importers of HS 720390 (the code used for sponge iron), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 720390 (the code used for sponge iron) in UN Comtrade data was the United States, with 69% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Türkiye, with 38% 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 720390, not only sponge iron.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 United States $326M 69% of world exports
- 2 Libya* ~$51M 11% of world exports · partner records ↗
- 3 France $20M 4.3% of world exports
World total: $473M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 Türkiye $88M 38% of world imports
- 2 India $51M 22% of world imports
- 3 Indonesia $23M 9.9% of world imports
World total: $234M 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 sponge iron
Brazil classifies sponge iron under NCM 7203.90.00: HS 7203.90 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 sponge iron
What is the HS code for Sponge iron?
The HS code for Sponge iron is 720390 (Ferrous products; spongy ferrous products and iron having a minimum purity by weight of 99.94%, in lumps, pellets or similar forms). The primary HS code for sponge iron (Direct Reduced Iron) is 7203.90, covering spongy ferrous products in various forms like lumps or pellets.
How do I classify Sponge iron for customs?
Sponge iron is classified under HS code 720390 — Ferrous products; spongy ferrous products and iron having a minimum purity by weight of 99.94%, in lumps, pellets or similar forms. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.
Is Hot Briquetted Iron (HBI) classified differently than sponge iron?
No, Hot Briquetted Iron (HBI) is a densified form of sponge iron designed for easier transport and is classified under the same heading, 7203, as it remains a product of direct reduction.
Which countries are the top exporters of sponge iron (HS 720390)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 720390 (the code used for sponge iron) in UN Comtrade data were the United States ($326M, 69% of world exports), Libya (about $51M) and France ($20M). World exports came to about $473M, 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 sponge iron (HS 720390)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 720390 (the code used for sponge iron) in UN Comtrade data were Türkiye ($88M, 38% of world imports), India ($51M) and Indonesia ($23M). World imports came to about $234M, 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 Sponge iron the same in all countries?
The base HS code 720390 for Sponge iron 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 sponge iron in Brazil?
In Brazil, sponge iron (HS 720390) is classified under NCM 7203.90.00.