Product classification
HS code for Stainless steel wire rod: 7221.00
Steel, stainless, bars and rods, hot-rolled, in irregularly wound coils.
Classification of stainless steel wire rod under HS 7221.00
Stainless steel wire rod is classified under HS code 7221.00. This product is defined as a hot-rolled bar or rod of stainless steel that is presented in irregularly wound coils. According to Chapter 72 notes, these products have a solid cross-section in the shape of circles, segments of circles, ovals, rectangles, squares, triangles, or other convex polygons. The key distinguishing features for 7221.00 are that the product must be hot-rolled and must be in coils. Wire rod serves as the primary feedstock for the wire-drawing industry, where it is cold-pulled through dies to create thinner wire. Because it is a semi-finished hot-rolled product, it typically has a rougher surface finish and less precise dimensional tolerances than finished wire. The metallurgical requirement for stainless steel (minimum 10.5% chromium) must be strictly met for this classification.
- Covers
- Hot-rolled stainless steel rods in coils
- Irregularly wound coils of stainless steel
- Stainless steel feedstock for wire drawing
- Hot-rolled stainless steel rounds in coils
- Also under 7221.00
- Outokumpu hot-rolled coils
- Aperam stainless wire rod
- POSCO stainless steel coils
- ArcelorMittal stainless bar in coil
Codes often confused with 7221.00
Common mistake. HS code 7221.00 is often confused with 7223.00 (stainless steel wire). The distinction lies in the production stage: 7221.00 is hot-rolled, while 7223.00 is cold-drawn. Additionally, if the stainless steel rods are straight (not in coils), they must be classified under heading 7222. Another potential error is misclassifying non-stainless alloy wire rod under 7227 or non-alloy wire rod under 7213. Verification of the chromium content is essential to ensure the product is indeed stainless steel.
Top exporters and importers of HS 722100 (the code used for stainless steel wire rod), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 722100 (the code used for stainless steel wire rod) in UN Comtrade data was Taiwan, with about 17% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Italy, with 15% 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 722100, not only stainless steel wire rod.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 Taiwan* ~$262M 17% of world exports · partner records ↗
- 2 Japan $203M 13% of world exports
- 3 Italy $197M 13% of world exports
World total: $1.6B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 Italy $247M 15% of world imports
- 2 Germany $226M 14% of world imports
- 3 China $157M 9.5% of world imports
World total: $1.6B 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 wire rod
Brazil classifies stainless steel wire rod under NCM 7221.00.00: HS 7221.00 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 wire rod
What is the HS code for Stainless steel wire rod?
The HS code for Stainless steel wire rod is 722100 (Steel, stainless; bars and rods, hot-rolled, in irregularly wound coils). The HS code for stainless steel wire rod (hot-rolled, in irregularly wound coils) is 7221.00.
How do I classify Stainless steel wire rod for customs?
Stainless steel wire rod is classified under HS code 722100 — Steel, stainless; bars and rods, hot-rolled, in irregularly wound coils. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.
What is the difference between 7221 and 7222?
HS code 7221 is for products in coils, whereas 7222 is for stainless steel bars and rods that are straight (not coiled).
Which countries are the top exporters of stainless steel wire rod (HS 722100)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 722100 (the code used for stainless steel wire rod) in UN Comtrade data were Taiwan (about $262M, 17% of world exports), Japan ($203M) and Italy ($197M). World exports came to about $1.6B, 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 wire rod (HS 722100)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 722100 (the code used for stainless steel wire rod) in UN Comtrade data were Italy ($247M, 15% of world imports), Germany ($226M) and China ($157M). World imports came to about $1.6B, 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 wire rod the same in all countries?
The base HS code 722100 for Stainless steel wire rod 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 wire rod in Brazil?
In Brazil, stainless steel wire rod (HS 722100) is classified under NCM 7221.00.00.