Product classification
HS code for Stainless steel shapes: 7222.40
Steel, stainless, angles, shapes and sections.
Classification of stainless steel shapes under HS 7222.40
Stainless steel shapes are classified under HS code 7222.40. This code is specifically designated for angles, shapes, and sections of stainless steel. The classification is determined by the product's cross-sectional profile and the fact that it is made from an alloy steel containing at least 10.5% chromium. Unlike flat-rolled products or simple circular bars, \"shapes\" refer to more complex non-standard geometries. According to the Harmonized System Explanatory Notes, these products do not have a cross-section that is circular, square, rectangular, or hexagonal in its entirety. They are often used in architectural frameworks, marine environments, and food processing equipment where structural integrity and hygiene are paramount. The classification remains 7222.40 regardless of whether the shape is an equal angle, an unequal angle, or a more specialized profile, provided it has not been further worked than hot-rolling, hot-drawing, or extrusion. The metallurgical properties of stainless steel, including its resistance to oxidation and high-temperature strength, make these shapes distinct from carbon steel alternatives. Customs officials verify the alloy content through mill test certificates to ensure the product meets the 10.5% chromium threshold required for Chapter 72 stainless steel designations.
- Covers
- Custom stainless steel profiles
- Hot-rolled structural shapes
- Cold-drawn stainless steel angles
- Extruded architectural shapes
- Unequal leg angles of stainless steel
- Also under 7222.40
- Outokumpu stainless angles
- Acerinox stainless channels
- Jindal Stainless structural sections
- ArcelorMittal stainless beams
Codes often confused with 7222.40
Common mistake. A common misclassification occurs with HS code 7222.11 or 7222.19, which are reserved for bars and rods. If a product has a uniform solid cross-section in the shape of a circle or square, it is a bar, not a shape. Furthermore, if the shape is part of a finished assembly or a specific structural component for a building, it might be misclassified under 7308.90, which covers prepared structural parts.
Top exporters and importers of HS 722240 (the code used for stainless steel shapes), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 722240 (the code used for stainless steel shapes) in UN Comtrade data was India, with 24% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was the United States, with 9.5% 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 722240, not only stainless steel shapes.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 India $174M 24% of world exports
- 2 Germany $108M 15% of world exports
- 3 China $77M 11% of world exports
World total: $724M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 United States $73M 9.5% of world imports
- 2 Germany $68M 8.9% of world imports
- 3 Singapore $45M 5.9% of world imports
World total: $769M 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 shapes
Brazil splits HS 7222.40 into 2 NCM codes. Pick the one that matches your product:
- 7222.40.10Stainless steel sections, 80 mm high or more
- 7222.40.90Stainless steel sections, under 80 mm high
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 shapes
What is the HS code for Stainless steel shapes?
The HS code for Stainless steel shapes is 722240 (Steel, stainless; angles, shapes and sections). Stainless steel shapes are classified under HS code 7222.40.
How do I classify Stainless steel shapes for customs?
Stainless steel shapes is classified under HS code 722240 — Steel, stainless; angles, shapes and sections. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.
What is the difference between a shape and a bar in HS classification?
A bar has a simple, uniform cross-section (like a circle or square), while a shape has a more complex geometric profile (like an L, T, or U) that does not meet the definition of a bar or flat-rolled product.
Which countries are the top exporters of stainless steel shapes (HS 722240)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 722240 (the code used for stainless steel shapes) in UN Comtrade data were India ($174M, 24% of world exports), Germany ($108M) and China ($77M). World exports came to about $724M, 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 shapes (HS 722240)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 722240 (the code used for stainless steel shapes) in UN Comtrade data were the United States ($73M, 9.5% of world imports), Germany ($68M) and Singapore ($45M). World imports came to about $769M, 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 shapes the same in all countries?
The base HS code 722240 for Stainless steel shapes 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 shapes in Brazil?
Brazil splits HS 722240 into 2 NCM codes, so the right one for stainless steel shapes depends on the product's details: 7222.40.10 (Stainless steel sections, 80 mm high or more), 7222.40.90 (Stainless steel sections, under 80 mm high).