Product classification
HS code for Steel billets: 7207.12
Iron or non-alloy steel, semi-finished products of iron or non-alloy steel, containing by weight less than 0.25% of carbon, of rectangular (other than square) cross-section.
Classification of steel billets under HS 7207.12
HS code 7207.12 is designated for semi-finished products of iron or non-alloy steel containing less than 0.25% carbon by weight. The defining characteristic for this specific subheading is the rectangular (other than square) cross-section. Billets are intermediate products used in the production of long products like bars or wire rods. Heading 7207 is dedicated to semi-finished products, which are defined as products of solid section that have not been further worked than hot-rolled, forged, or roughly shaped by forging. The distinction between 7207.11 (square) and 7207.12 (rectangular) is purely geometric. These billets serve as the feedstock for rolling mills to produce plates, sheets, or strips. The low carbon content (under 0.25%) is a critical threshold in the Harmonized System, as higher carbon content would shift the classification to 7207.20. The rectangular shape must have a width at least twice the thickness to be considered a slab in some contexts, but for 7207.12, any non-square rectangular cross-section is included. The surface of these products is usually rough and may show scale from the casting or rolling process, as they are intended for further processing.
- Covers
- Rectangular steel billets
- Slabs of non-alloy steel
- Semi-finished rectangular blooms
- Low-carbon steel slabs
- Continuous cast rectangular sections
- Also under 7207.12
- Baosteel low carbon slabs
- Hyundai Steel rectangular blooms
- US Steel plate stock
- JFE Steel hot strip feedstock
Codes often confused with 7207.12
Common mistake. Billets are often confused with 7207.11, which is strictly for square cross-sections. They may also be misclassified under 7206 if they are in primary forms like ingots. Finished flat-rolled products, which have been further processed, fall under 7208 and should not be confused with these semi-finished forms.
Top exporters and importers of HS 720712 (the code used for steel billets), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 720712 (the code used for steel billets) in UN Comtrade data was Brazil, with 30% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was the United States, 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 720712, not only steel billets.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 Brazil $3.6B 30% of world exports
- 2 Russia* ~$3.3B 28% of world exports · partner records ↗
- 3 Japan $764M 6.4% of world exports
World total: $11.9B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 United States $1.9B 15% of world imports
- 2 Türkiye $1.9B 15% of world imports
- 3 Italy $1.4B 11% of world imports
World total: $12.6B 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. 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 steel billets
Brazil classifies steel billets under NCM 7207.12.00: HS 7207.12 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 steel billets
What is the HS code for Steel billets?
The HS code for Steel billets is 720712 (Iron or non-alloy steel; semi-finished products of iron or non-alloy steel; containing by weight less than 0.25% of carbon, of rectangular (other than square) cross-section). The HS code for rectangular semi-finished products of non-alloy steel with less than 0.25% carbon is 7207.12.
How do I classify Steel billets for customs?
Steel billets is classified under HS code 720712 — Iron or non-alloy steel; semi-finished products of iron or non-alloy steel; containing by weight less than 0.25% of carbon, of rectangular (other than square) cross-section. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.
What is the carbon limit for this code?
This specific code requires the steel to contain less than 0.25% carbon by weight; otherwise, it moves to subheading 7207.20.
Which countries are the top exporters of steel billets (HS 720712)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 720712 (the code used for steel billets) in UN Comtrade data were Brazil ($3.6B, 30% of world exports), Russia (about $3.3B) and Japan ($764M). World exports came to about $11.9B, 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 steel billets (HS 720712)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 720712 (the code used for steel billets) in UN Comtrade data were the United States ($1.9B, 15% of world imports), Türkiye ($1.9B) and Italy ($1.4B). World imports came to about $12.6B, 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 Steel billets the same in all countries?
The base HS code 720712 for Steel billets 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 steel billets in Brazil?
In Brazil, steel billets (HS 720712) is classified under NCM 7207.12.00.