Product classification
HS code for Stainless steel blooms: 7218.99
Steel, stainless, semi-finished products, other than of rectangular cross-section.
Classification of stainless steel blooms under HS 7218.99
HS code 7218.99 is the specific classification for semi-finished products of stainless steel that do not possess a rectangular cross-section. This includes square, round, or polygonal shapes. Under the Harmonized System, stainless steel is defined by its chromium content, which must be at least 10.5% by weight. Heading 7218 covers primary forms and semi-finished products of this material. While 7218.10 covers ingots and 7218.91 covers rectangular semi-finished products, 7218.99 acts as the residual category for all other geometric shapes. These products, often referred to as blooms or round billets, are intermediate goods produced via continuous casting or the initial breakdown of ingots in a blooming mill. They are destined for further transformation into long products such as bars, rods, or wires. The classification is strictly based on the cross-sectional geometry and the semi-finished state. If a product has been further worked beyond primary rolling or casting—for example, by cold-drawing or grinding to a specific tolerance—it may no longer qualify as "semi-finished" and could be reclassified under heading 7222. Customs officials look for the absence of a finished surface and the presence of primary processing marks to confirm classification under 7218.99, ensuring the product is truly an intermediate stage of manufacture.
- Covers
- Square stainless steel blooms
- Round stainless steel billets
- Hexagonal semi-finished stainless steel sections
- Stainless steel tube rounds for seamless pipe production
- Octagonal semi-finished stainless steel forms
- Also under 7218.99
- Outokumpu square billets
- Aperam round blooms
- POSCO stainless hexagonal ingots
- ThyssenKrupp stainless round sections
- JFE Steel stainless square billets
Codes often confused with 7218.99
Common mistake. The most frequent misclassification is with HS code 7218.91, which is reserved exclusively for rectangular cross-sections. Importers often confuse square blooms with rectangular ones; however, if all sides are equal, 7218.99 is the correct code. Another common mistake is using 7222.11 or 7222.19, which are for finished hot-rolled bars. If the product has reached the stage of a finished bar with specific dimensional accuracy or surface treatment, it leaves the "semi-finished" category of 7218. Furthermore, if the product is still in its initial cast state without any shaping, it may belong under 7218.10.
Top exporters and importers of HS 721899 (the code used for stainless steel blooms), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 721899 (the code used for stainless steel blooms) in UN Comtrade data was Indonesia, with 33% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was China, 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 721899, not only stainless steel blooms.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 Indonesia $368M 33% of world exports
- 2 Sweden $150M 13% of world exports
- 3 Italy $135M 12% of world exports
World total: $1.1B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 China $196M 16% of world imports
- 2 India $138M 11% of world imports
- 3 Taiwan* ~$133M 11% of world imports · partner records ↗
World total: $1.2B 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 blooms
Brazil classifies stainless steel blooms under NCM 7218.99.00: HS 7218.99 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 blooms
What is the HS code for Stainless steel blooms?
The HS code for Stainless steel blooms is 721899 (Steel, stainless; semi-finished products, other than of rectangular cross-section). Stainless steel blooms with a square or non-rectangular cross-section are classified under HS code 7218.99.
How do I classify Stainless steel blooms for customs?
Stainless steel blooms is classified under HS code 721899 — Steel, stainless; semi-finished products, other than of rectangular cross-section. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.
Can round billets be classified under 7218.99?
Yes, round semi-finished sections of stainless steel are classified under 7218.99 because they are defined as "other than rectangular" in the HS nomenclature.
Which countries are the top exporters of stainless steel blooms (HS 721899)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 721899 (the code used for stainless steel blooms) in UN Comtrade data were Indonesia ($368M, 33% of world exports), Sweden ($150M) and Italy ($135M). 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 stainless steel blooms (HS 721899)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 721899 (the code used for stainless steel blooms) in UN Comtrade data were China ($196M, 16% of world imports), India ($138M) and Taiwan (about $133M). World imports came to about $1.2B, 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 blooms the same in all countries?
The base HS code 721899 for Stainless steel blooms 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 blooms in Brazil?
In Brazil, stainless steel blooms (HS 721899) is classified under NCM 7218.99.00.