Product classification
HS code for Stainless steel slabs: 7218.91
Steel, stainless, semi-finished products, of rectangular (other than square) cross-section.
Classification of stainless steel slabs under HS 7218.91
Stainless steel slabs are classified under HS code 7218.91. This code specifically covers semi-finished products of stainless steel with a rectangular (other than square) cross-section. Under Chapter 72, semi-finished products are defined as continuous cast products or products that have undergone primary rolling but require further processing, such as hot-rolling into plates, sheets, or strips. Slabs are distinguished from ingots (7218.10) by their shape and from finished flat-rolled products (7219) by their lack of final dimensions and surface finish. The classification 7218.91 is reserved for those slabs where the width is significantly greater than the thickness, typically at least twice the thickness. These are intermediate goods in the steel production cycle, often transported from melt shops to rolling mills for final shaping. The classification is based on the fact that the product has not yet reached its final form and is intended for further hot-rolling. The chemical composition must meet the stainless steel criteria, specifically the chromium content. Because these are semi-finished, they do not have the precise tolerances or surface treatments found in finished steel plates.
- Covers
- Continuous cast stainless steel slabs
- Hot-rolled semi-finished rectangular blooms
- Stainless steel slabs for plate production
- Semi-finished flat products of stainless steel
- Rectangular stainless steel billets (non-square)
- Also under 7218.91
- Outokumpu rectangular slabs
- Aperam rectangular blooms
- POSCO stainless rectangular billets
- ThyssenKrupp stainless ingots
- ArcelorMittal stainless rectangular sections
Codes often confused with 7218.91
Common mistake. Slabs are often misclassified under 7219, which covers finished flat-rolled products of stainless steel. The distinction lies in the degree of processing; 7218.91 is for semi-finished products that require further hot-rolling. Another common error is using 7218.99, which is for semi-finished products with cross-sections other than rectangular or square, such as rounds or complex blooms.
Top exporters and importers of HS 721891 (the code used for stainless steel slabs), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 721891 (the code used for stainless steel slabs) in UN Comtrade data was Indonesia, with 71% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was India, with 47% 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 721891, not only stainless steel slabs.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 Indonesia $2.0B 71% of world exports
- 2 United Kingdom $402M 14% of world exports
- 3 Belgium $129M 4.5% of world exports
World total: $2.9B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 India $1.1B 47% of world imports
- 2 Italy $495M 20% of world imports
- 3 Taiwan* ~$320M 13% of world imports · partner records ↗
World total: $2.4B 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 code for stainless steel slabs
Brazil classifies stainless steel slabs under NCM 7218.91.00: HS 7218.91 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 slabs
What is the HS code for Stainless steel slabs?
The HS code for Stainless steel slabs is 721891 (Steel, stainless; semi-finished products, of rectangular (other than square) cross-section). The HS code for stainless steel slabs of rectangular cross-section is 7218.91.
How do I classify Stainless steel slabs for customs?
Stainless steel slabs is classified under HS code 721891 — Steel, stainless; semi-finished products, of rectangular (other than square) cross-section. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.
Can a slab be classified as a plate?
No, a plate is a finished product under heading 7219, whereas a slab is a semi-finished product under heading 7218 intended for further rolling.
Which countries are the top exporters of stainless steel slabs (HS 721891)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 721891 (the code used for stainless steel slabs) in UN Comtrade data were Indonesia ($2.0B, 71% of world exports), the United Kingdom ($402M) and Belgium ($129M). World exports came to about $2.9B, 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 slabs (HS 721891)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 721891 (the code used for stainless steel slabs) in UN Comtrade data were India ($1.1B, 47% of world imports), Italy ($495M) and Taiwan (about $320M). World imports came to about $2.4B, 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 slabs the same in all countries?
The base HS code 721891 for Stainless steel slabs 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 slabs in Brazil?
In Brazil, stainless steel slabs (HS 721891) is classified under NCM 7218.91.00.