Product classification
HS code for Stainless steel flat bar: 7222.19
Steel, stainless, bars and rods, hot-rolled, hot-drawn or extruded, other than of circular cross-section.
Classification of stainless steel flat bar under HS 7222.19
The classification of stainless steel flat bars under HS code 7222.19 is strictly governed by the legal notes of Chapter 72 in the Harmonized System. This chapter covers iron and steel, with heading 7222 specifically addressing "Other bars and rods of stainless steel; angles, shapes and sections of stainless steel." The sub-heading 7222.19 is reserved for bars and rods that are hot-rolled, hot-drawn, or extruded, and which do not possess a circular cross-section. To be classified here, the product must meet the definition of "bars and rods" provided in Note 1(m) to Chapter 72, which describes solid products that do not conform to the definitions of flat-rolled products, wire, or other specific categories. Flat bars are typically rectangular in cross-section, and if they have not been further worked than hot-rolling or extrusion, 7222.19 is the correct designation. The distinction between "flat-rolled" (headings 7219/7220) and "bars" (7222) often depends on the width and thickness; generally, if the product is not in coils and has a width that does not exceed a certain ratio to its thickness, it is treated as a bar. Furthermore, the material must qualify as stainless steel under Note 1(e), requiring a chromium content of 10.5% or more by weight. This code is vital for customs to distinguish between primary structural shapes and further processed engineering components used in construction and heavy industry.
- Covers
- Hot-rolled stainless steel rectangular bars
- Extruded hexagonal stainless steel rods
- Hot-drawn square stainless steel bars
- Stainless steel flat bars with sheared edges
- Solid stainless steel sections for machining
- Also under 7222.19
- Acerinox hot-rolled square bars
- Nippon Steel stainless hex bars
- Jindal Stainless hot-rolled flats
- POSCO stainless profiles
Codes often confused with 7222.19
Common mistake. A frequent error is using HS code 7222.20, which is specifically for bars and rods that have been cold-formed or cold-finished. If the bar has undergone any cold-working after the initial hot-rolling, it must move to the 7222.20 category. Additionally, 7221.00 is often confused with this code; however, 7221.00 is strictly for bars and rods in irregularly wound coils. Another misclassification occurs with 7219 or 7220 if the product is wide enough to be considered a "flat-rolled" product rather than a bar, a distinction based on the width-to-thickness ratio defined in the Chapter 72 notes.
Top exporters and importers of HS 722219 (the code used for stainless steel flat bar), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 722219 (the code used for stainless steel flat bar) in UN Comtrade data was India, with 15% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was the United States, with 13% 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 722219, not only stainless steel flat bar.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 India $64M 15% of world exports
- 2 Germany $61M 14% of world exports
- 3 Italy $50M 11% of world exports
World total: $441M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 United States $64M 13% of world imports
- 2 Germany $63M 13% of world imports
- 3 Italy $25M 5.1% of world imports
World total: $484M 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 codes for stainless steel flat bar
Brazil splits HS 7222.19 into 2 NCM codes. Pick the one that matches your product:
- 7222.19.10Hot-rolled stainless bars, rectangular section
- 7222.19.90Hot-rolled stainless bars, other cross-sections
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 flat bar
What is the HS code for Stainless steel flat bar?
The HS code for Stainless steel flat bar is 722219 (Steel, stainless; bars and rods, hot-rolled, hot-drawn or extruded, other than of circular cross-section). The HS code for hot-rolled, hot-drawn, or extruded stainless steel flat bars of non-circular cross-section is 7222.19.
How do I classify Stainless steel flat bar for customs?
Stainless steel flat bar is classified under HS code 722219 — Steel, stainless; bars and rods, hot-rolled, hot-drawn or extruded, other than of circular cross-section. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.
Is the code different for cold-drawn stainless steel bars?
Yes, cold-drawn or cold-finished stainless steel bars are classified under HS code 7222.20, as the manufacturing process is a primary determinant in Chapter 72 classification.
Which countries are the top exporters of stainless steel flat bar (HS 722219)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 722219 (the code used for stainless steel flat bar) in UN Comtrade data were India ($64M, 15% of world exports), Germany ($61M) and Italy ($50M). World exports came to about $441M, 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 flat bar (HS 722219)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 722219 (the code used for stainless steel flat bar) in UN Comtrade data were the United States ($64M, 13% of world imports), Germany ($63M) and Italy ($25M). World imports came to about $484M, 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 flat bar the same in all countries?
The base HS code 722219 for Stainless steel flat 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 flat bar in Brazil?
Brazil splits HS 722219 into 2 NCM codes, so the right one for stainless steel flat bar depends on the product's details: 7222.19.10 (Hot-rolled stainless bars, rectangular section), 7222.19.90 (Hot-rolled stainless bars, other cross-sections).