Product classification
HS code for Stainless steel billets: 7218.91
Steel, stainless, semi-finished products, of rectangular (other than square) cross-section.
Classification of stainless steel billets under HS 7218.91
Classification of stainless steel billets under HS code 7218.91 is determined by the metallurgical composition and the physical geometry of the semi-finished product. To qualify as stainless steel under Chapter 72, the alloy must contain a minimum of 10.5% chromium by weight and a maximum of 1.2% carbon. Heading 7218 is specifically dedicated to stainless steel in primary forms, such as ingots, and semi-finished products. Subheading 7218.91 is reserved for semi-finished products with a rectangular (excluding square) cross-section. These items are typically produced through continuous casting or the primary rolling of ingots and are characterized by a rough surface finish. They are not intended for immediate use but serve as the essential raw material for subsequent hot-rolling or forging processes into finished flat-rolled products. Under the General Rules of Interpretation (GRI), specifically GRI 1 and 6, the classification is dictated by the terms of the headings and subheadings. The rectangular cross-section is the critical distinguishing factor; the width must be significantly different from the thickness to differentiate it from square billets. These products represent an intermediate stage in the steel manufacturing value chain, where the steel has been cast into a manageable shape but has not yet been processed into a final industrial component.
- Covers
- Rectangular stainless steel billets
- Semi-finished stainless steel slabs of rectangular cross-section
- Continuously cast rectangular stainless steel sections
- Hot-rolled rectangular semi-finished stainless steel forms
- Also under 7218.91
- Outokumpu rectangular slabs
- Aperam rectangular blooms
- POSCO stainless rectangular billets
- ThyssenKrupp stainless ingots
- ArcelorMittal stainless rectangular sections
Codes often confused with 7218.91
Common mistake. Misclassification frequently occurs with HS code 7218.99, which covers semi-finished products with cross-sections other than rectangular, such as square or round blooms. Another common error involves HS code 7219, which is for finished flat-rolled products. If the billet has been rolled to a thickness and width that meets the definition of a plate or sheet, it must be moved to 7219. Additionally, if the product has a square cross-section where the width equals the thickness, it falls under 7218.99 rather than 7218.91. It is also important to distinguish these from 7218.10, which is reserved for ingots in their primary cast form before any semi-finishing work has been performed.
Top exporters and importers of HS 721891 (the code used for stainless steel billets), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 721891 (the code used for stainless steel billets) in UN Comtrade data was Indonesia, with 71% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was India, with 47% 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 721891, not only stainless steel billets.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 Indonesia $2.0B 71% of world exports
- 2 United Kingdom $402M 14% of world exports
- 3 Belgium $129M 4.5% of world exports
World total: $2.9B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 India $1.1B 47% of world imports
- 2 Italy $495M 20% of world imports
- 3 Taiwan* ~$320M 13% of world imports · partner records ↗
World total: $2.4B 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. UN Comtrade records Taiwan as "Other Asia, not elsewhere specified". Saudi Arabia's exports under that code are left out: they are far too large to be trade with Taiwan, so mostly undisclosed partners. 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 billets
Brazil classifies stainless steel billets under NCM 7218.91.00: HS 7218.91 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 billets
What is the HS code for Stainless steel billets?
The HS code for Stainless steel billets is 721891 (Steel, stainless; semi-finished products, of rectangular (other than square) cross-section). The HS code for stainless steel billets with a rectangular cross-section is 7218.91.
How do I classify Stainless steel billets for customs?
Stainless steel billets is classified under HS code 721891 — Steel, stainless; semi-finished products, of rectangular (other than square) cross-section. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.
What is the difference between a billet and a slab in this code?
In the context of 7218.91, both are considered semi-finished rectangular products; however, slabs generally have a much higher width-to-thickness ratio than billets, though both are classified here if they are not yet finished products.
Which countries are the top exporters of stainless steel billets (HS 721891)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 721891 (the code used for stainless steel billets) in UN Comtrade data were Indonesia ($2.0B, 71% of world exports), the United Kingdom ($402M) and Belgium ($129M). World exports came to about $2.9B, 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 billets (HS 721891)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 721891 (the code used for stainless steel billets) in UN Comtrade data were India ($1.1B, 47% of world imports), Italy ($495M) and Taiwan (about $320M). World imports came to about $2.4B, 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 billets the same in all countries?
The base HS code 721891 for Stainless steel billets 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 billets in Brazil?
In Brazil, stainless steel billets (HS 721891) is classified under NCM 7218.91.00.