Product classification
HS code for Stainless steel ingots: 7218.10
Steel, stainless, ingots and other primary forms.
Classification of stainless steel ingots under HS 7218.10
Stainless steel ingots are classified under HS code 7218.10. This code is found in Chapter 72, which covers Iron and Steel. Heading 7218 is specifically for stainless steel in ingots or other primary forms and semi-finished products of stainless steel. Subheading 7218.10 is the most upstream classification for stainless steel, representing the metal after it has been melted and cast into a primary shape but before it has been rolled or forged into semi-finished products like billets or slabs. The classification is based on GRI 1, as the product is in its 'primary form.' To be classified as stainless steel, the material must contain at least 10.5% chromium and a maximum of 1.2% carbon. Ingots are typically large, bulky castings intended for further processing in a rolling mill or forge. Because they are a raw material for the steel industry, they are classified in Chapter 72 (raw materials) rather than Chapter 73 (finished articles).
- Covers
- Stainless steel cast ingots
- Stainless steel blocks and lumps
- Puddle balls and similar primary forms of stainless steel
- Remelted stainless steel scrap in ingot form
- Also under 7218.10
- Outokumpu stainless steel ingots
- Aperam stainless steel slabs
- POSCO stainless steel billets
- ThyssenKrupp stainless steel primary forms
- Acerinox stainless steel blooms
Codes often confused with 7218.10
Common mistake. A frequent misclassification occurs with HS code 7218.91 or 7218.99, which are for semi-finished products. While ingots are primary forms, products that have been further processed into rectangular (including square) cross-sections through continuous casting or hot-rolling are considered semi-finished. Another error is classifying stainless steel scrap as ingots under 7218.10; scrap should be classified under 7204.21. Additionally, if the ingot has been further worked into a specific shape like a bar or rod, it moves to heading 7221 or 7222.
Top exporters and importers of HS 721810 (the code used for stainless steel ingots), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 721810 (the code used for stainless steel ingots) in UN Comtrade data was the United States, with 19% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Italy, with 18% 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 721810, not only stainless steel ingots.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 United States $59M 19% of world exports
- 2 Austria $53M 17% of world exports
- 3 Italy $34M 11% of world exports
World total: $310M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 Italy $78M 18% of world imports
- 2 Belgium $75M 18% of world imports
- 3 Germany $52M 12% of world imports
World total: $426M 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 ingots
Brazil classifies stainless steel ingots under NCM 7218.10.00: HS 7218.10 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 ingots
What is the HS code for Stainless steel ingots?
The HS code for Stainless steel ingots is 721810 (Steel, stainless; ingots and other primary forms). The HS code for stainless steel in ingots and other primary forms is 7218.10.
How do I classify Stainless steel ingots for customs?
Stainless steel ingots is classified under HS code 721810 — Steel, stainless; ingots and other primary forms. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.
Is stainless steel scrap classified under this code?
No, stainless steel waste and scrap are classified under HS code 7204.21, unless they have been remelted into ingots.
Which countries are the top exporters of stainless steel ingots (HS 721810)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 721810 (the code used for stainless steel ingots) in UN Comtrade data were the United States ($59M, 19% of world exports), Austria ($53M) and Italy ($34M). World exports came to about $310M, 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 ingots (HS 721810)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 721810 (the code used for stainless steel ingots) in UN Comtrade data were Italy ($78M, 18% of world imports), Belgium ($75M) and Germany ($52M). World imports came to about $426M, 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 ingots the same in all countries?
The base HS code 721810 for Stainless steel ingots 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 ingots in Brazil?
In Brazil, stainless steel ingots (HS 721810) is classified under NCM 7218.10.00.