Product classification
HS code for Stainless steel bar: 7222.20
Steel, stainless, bars and rods, cold-formed or cold-finished.
Classification of stainless steel bar under HS 7222.20
Stainless steel bars that have been cold-formed or cold-finished are classified under HS code 7222.20. This code is part of Chapter 72 (Iron and Steel) and heading 7222 (Other bars and rods of stainless steel; angles, shapes and sections). The distinction for 7222.20 is the manufacturing process: cold-forming or cold-finishing. This involves processing the steel at or near room temperature through methods like cold-drawing, grinding, or polishing. This results in superior dimensional accuracy, a smoother surface finish, and increased tensile strength compared to hot-rolled alternatives. To qualify for this code, the product must meet the metallurgical definition of stainless steel and must not have been further worked than cold-formed or cold-finished.
- Covers
- Cold-drawn stainless steel round bars
- Cold-finished hexagonal stainless steel bars
- Centerless ground stainless steel rods
- Polished stainless steel square bars
- Cold-formed flat bars of stainless steel
- Bright bars (stainless steel)
- Also under 7222.20
- BGH Edelstahl cold-finished bars
- Ugitech cold-drawn rods
- Carpenter Technology precision bars
- Valbruna cold-finished rounds
Codes often confused with 7222.20
Common mistake. The most frequent misclassification is with HS code 7222.11 or 7222.19, which are for bars and rods that are only hot-rolled, hot-drawn, or extruded. If a bar is hot-rolled and then subsequently cold-drawn, it must be classified under 7222.20. Another error involves HS code 7221.00, which is for stainless steel bars in irregularly wound coils. Finally, if the bar is made of non-alloy steel rather than stainless steel, it would fall under 7215.
Top exporters and importers of HS 722220 (the code used for stainless steel bar), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 722220 (the code used for stainless steel bar) in UN Comtrade data was Italy, with 20% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Germany, with 16% 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 722220, not only stainless steel bar.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 Italy $784M 20% of world exports
- 2 India $571M 15% of world exports
- 3 Germany $415M 11% of world exports
World total: $3.9B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 Germany $610M 16% of world imports
- 2 United States $443M 12% of world imports
- 3 United Kingdom $175M 4.6% of world imports
World total: $3.8B 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 that did not report are estimated from what other countries recorded trading with them. 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 stainless steel bar
Brazil classifies stainless steel bar under NCM 7222.20.00: HS 7222.20 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 stainless steel bar
What is the HS code for Stainless steel bar?
The HS code for Stainless steel bar is 722220 (Steel, stainless; bars and rods, cold-formed or cold-finished).
How do I classify Stainless steel bar for customs?
Stainless steel bar is classified under HS code 722220 — Steel, stainless; bars and rods, cold-formed or cold-finished. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.
What is the HS code for cold-finished stainless steel bar?
The HS code for stainless steel bars and rods that are cold-formed or cold-finished is 7222.20.
What is the difference between 7222.11 and 7222.20?
7222.11 is for bars that are only hot-rolled, while 7222.20 is for bars that have undergone cold-finishing processes to improve surface and tolerance.
Which countries are the top exporters of stainless steel bar (HS 722220)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 722220 (the code used for stainless steel bar) in UN Comtrade data were Italy ($784M, 20% of world exports), India ($571M) and Germany ($415M). World exports came to about $3.9B, 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 stainless steel bar (HS 722220)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 722220 (the code used for stainless steel bar) in UN Comtrade data were Germany ($610M, 16% of world imports), the United States ($443M) and the United Kingdom ($175M). World imports came to about $3.8B, 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 Stainless steel bar the same in all countries?
The base HS code 722220 for Stainless steel bar 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 stainless steel bar in Brazil?
In Brazil, stainless steel bar (HS 722220) is classified under NCM 7222.20.00.