Product classification
HS code for Stainless steel pipeline: 7306.11
Steel, stainless, line pipe of a kind used for oil or gas pipelines n.e.c. in chapter 73, welded, (not seamless).
Classification of stainless steel pipeline under HS 7306.11
The classification of stainless steel pipeline under HS code 7306.11 pertains to welded line pipe used for oil or gas applications. Unlike seamless pipes, these products are manufactured by rolling a flat plate or strip and welding the seam, either longitudinally or spirally. Under GRI 1, the product is classified in Heading 7306 because it is a tube or pipe of iron or steel that is not seamless and does not meet the specific criteria of Heading 7305 (which covers pipes with a diameter exceeding 406.4 mm). Subheading 7306.11 specifically identifies the material as stainless steel and the application as line pipe for oil or gas. This classification is critical because welded pipes often have different tariff rates and safety certifications compared to seamless pipes. The 'pipeline' designation implies that the product is intended for the bulk transport of fluids over distances, requiring compliance with rigorous pressure-testing standards.
- Covers
- Welded stainless steel oil pipelines
- Longitudinally welded gas transport pipes
- Spiral welded stainless steel line pipe
- Electric resistance welded (ERW) stainless line pipe
- Welded stainless pipes for petrochemical transport
- Also under 7306.11
- Tenaris stainless line pipe
- Vallourec stainless OCTG
- Sumitomo Metal stainless pipes
- ArcelorMittal stainless steel pipelines
- Sandvik stainless steel tubes
Codes often confused with 7306.11
Common mistake. This code is often confused with 7304.11, which is the code for seamless line pipe. The distinction is purely based on the manufacturing process (welded vs. seamless). It is also frequently confused with 7306.40, which covers other welded tubes and pipes of stainless steel. However, if the pipe is specifically for 'line pipe' use in oil and gas, 7306.11 is the more specific and correct code according to the hierarchy of the Harmonized System.
Top exporters and importers of HS 730611 (the code used for stainless steel pipeline), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 730611 (the code used for stainless steel pipeline) in UN Comtrade data was China, with 59% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was the United Arab Emirates, with about 19% 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 730611, not only stainless steel pipeline.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 China $228M 59% of world exports
- 2 United Arab Emirates* ~$23M 5.8% of world exports · partner records ↗
- 3 Netherlands $21M 5.3% of world exports
World total: $390M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 United Arab Emirates* ~$82M 19% of world imports · partner records ↗
- 2 United States $79M 18% of world imports
- 3 Oman $73M 17% of world imports
World total: $431M 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. 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 pipeline
Brazil classifies stainless steel pipeline under NCM 7306.11.00: HS 7306.11 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 pipeline
What is the HS code for Stainless steel pipeline?
The HS code for Stainless steel pipeline is 730611 (Steel; stainless; line pipe of a kind used for oil or gas pipelines n.e.c. in chapter 73, welded, (not seamless)). The HS code for welded stainless steel line pipe used for oil or gas pipelines is 7306.11.
How do I classify Stainless steel pipeline for customs?
Stainless steel pipeline is classified under HS code 730611 — Steel; stainless; line pipe of a kind used for oil or gas pipelines n.e.c. in chapter 73, welded, (not seamless). This is a 6-digit subheading level code.
What if the welded pipe is larger than 406.4 mm in diameter?
If the external diameter exceeds 406.4 mm, the pipe is classified under Heading 7305, specifically 7305.11 for longitudinally submerged arc welded stainless steel line pipe.
Which countries are the top exporters of stainless steel pipeline (HS 730611)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 730611 (the code used for stainless steel pipeline) in UN Comtrade data were China ($228M, 59% of world exports), the United Arab Emirates (about $23M) and the Netherlands ($21M). World exports came to about $390M, 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 pipeline (HS 730611)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 730611 (the code used for stainless steel pipeline) in UN Comtrade data were the United Arab Emirates (about $82M, 19% of world imports), the United States ($79M) and Oman ($73M). World imports came to about $431M, 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 pipeline the same in all countries?
The base HS code 730611 for Stainless steel pipeline 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 pipeline in Brazil?
In Brazil, stainless steel pipeline (HS 730611) is classified under NCM 7306.11.00.