Product classification
HS code for Stainless steel plates: 7219.90
Steel, stainless, flat-rolled, width 600mm or more, n.e.c. in heading no. 7219.
Classification of stainless steel plates under HS 7219.90
Stainless steel plates are classified under HS code 7219.90 when they are flat-rolled products of stainless steel with a width of 600 mm or more and do not fall under the more specific subheadings of heading 7219. Heading 7219 covers flat-rolled products of stainless steel of a width of 600 mm or more. The classification depends on the manufacturing process (hot-rolled or cold-rolled) and the thickness of the material. Subheading 7219.90 is a residual category for products that are not further worked than surface-treated, or those that do not meet the specific thickness and processing criteria defined in subheadings 7219.11 through 7219.35. According to the Chapter 72 notes, \"flat-rolled products\" are defined as products of solid rectangular cross-section which do not conform to the definition of bars or rods. For a product to be classified here, it must meet the chemical definition of stainless steel, containing at least 10.5% chromium. The use of 7219.90 often applies to plates that have undergone specific surface treatments or finishing processes that exclude them from the primary hot-rolled or cold-rolled categories.
- Covers
- Wide stainless steel plates (width > 600mm)
- Surface-treated stainless steel flat-rolled products
- Stainless steel plates not elsewhere specified
- Polished or embossed stainless steel plates of large width
- Perforated stainless steel plates (if not further worked into a specific article)
- Also under 7219.90
- Custom-order textured stainless steel
- Specialty alloy stainless steel sheets
- Laser-cut stainless steel blanks
- Electro-polished wide stainless sheets
Codes often confused with 7219.90
Common mistake. The most common misclassification occurs with HS code 7220, which covers flat-rolled products of stainless steel with a width of less than 600 mm. Importers often fail to measure the width accurately, leading to the use of 7220 instead of 7219. Another error involves 7219.31 through 7219.35, which are specific to cold-rolled products. If the plate is cold-rolled and its thickness is known, it must be classified under those specific codes rather than the residual 7219.90. Furthermore, if the plate has been further worked into a specific part (like a machine component), it may move to Chapter 84 or 85.
Top exporters and importers of HS 721990 (the code used for stainless steel plates), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 721990 (the code used for stainless steel plates) in UN Comtrade data was Malaysia, with 25% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was India, with 12% 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 721990, not only stainless steel plates.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 Malaysia $300M 25% of world exports
- 2 China $180M 15% of world exports
- 3 Taiwan* ~$117M 9.6% of world exports · partner records ↗
World total: $1.2B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 India $147M 12% of world imports
- 2 Egypt $98M 7.9% of world imports
- 3 Malaysia $92M 7.4% of world imports
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 codes for stainless steel plates
Brazil splits HS 7219.90 into 2 NCM codes. Pick the one that matches your product:
- 7219.90.10Other stainless flats under 4.75 mm, min 42 HRC
- 7219.90.90Other flat-rolled stainless steel, 600 mm or wider
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 plates
What is the HS code for Stainless steel plates?
The HS code for Stainless steel plates is 721990 (Steel, stainless; flat-rolled, width 600mm or more, n.e.c. in heading no. 7219). The primary HS code for wide stainless steel plates (600mm+) is 7219. The specific subheading 7219.90 is used for plates not covered by other specific thickness or rolling categories.
How do I classify Stainless steel plates for customs?
Stainless steel plates is classified under HS code 721990 — Steel, stainless; flat-rolled, width 600mm or more, n.e.c. in heading no. 7219. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.
What distinguishes a plate from a strip in HS classification?
The primary distinction is width. Products with a width of 600 mm or more are classified under 7219, while those narrower than 600 mm fall under 7220.
Which countries are the top exporters of stainless steel plates (HS 721990)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 721990 (the code used for stainless steel plates) in UN Comtrade data were Malaysia ($300M, 25% of world exports), China ($180M) and Taiwan (about $117M). World exports 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.
Which countries are the top importers of stainless steel plates (HS 721990)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 721990 (the code used for stainless steel plates) in UN Comtrade data were India ($147M, 12% of world imports), Egypt ($98M) and Malaysia ($92M). 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 plates the same in all countries?
The base HS code 721990 for Stainless steel plates 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 plates in Brazil?
Brazil splits HS 721990 into 2 NCM codes, so the right one for stainless steel plates depends on the product's details: 7219.90.10 (Other stainless flats under 4.75 mm, min 42 HRC), 7219.90.90 (Other flat-rolled stainless steel, 600 mm or wider).