Product classification
HS code for Steel blooms: 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 blooms under HS 7207.12
Steel blooms are classified under HS code 7207.12 as semi-finished products of iron or non-alloy steel. This specific subheading is designated for products containing less than 0.25% carbon by weight and possessing a rectangular (other than square) cross-section. In the hierarchy of steel production, blooms are intermediate products resulting from the primary rolling or continuous casting of ingots. They are characterized by a solid cross-section that is not yet shaped into a finished product like a beam or plate. The classification under 7207.12 is strictly governed by the carbon content and the geometry of the cross-section. If the width is more than twice the thickness, the product might be considered a slab, but for the purposes of 7207.12, the rectangularity is the defining feature. These products are intended for further processing, such as re-rolling into bars, rods, or sections. The absence of further surface work beyond primary casting or rolling is essential for this classification.
- Covers
- Low-carbon steel blooms with rectangular cross-sections
- Semi-finished non-alloy steel slabs with <0.25% carbon
- Continuously cast rectangular steel sections for re-rolling
- Rectangular blooms used in the production of heavy steel plates
- 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. A frequent misclassification occurs with HS code 7207.11, which is specifically for products with a square cross-section. If the carbon content exceeds 0.25%, the product must be classified under 7207.20. Furthermore, if the steel is alloyed (such as stainless steel), it falls under 7218.91 or 7224.90. Importers also confuse blooms with finished thick plates under 7208, but blooms are distinguished by their lack of precise dimensional finishing and their intended use as a raw material for further rolling.
Top exporters and importers of HS 720712 (the code used for steel blooms), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 720712 (the code used for steel blooms) 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 blooms.
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 blooms
Brazil classifies steel blooms 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 blooms
What is the HS code for Steel blooms?
The HS code for Steel blooms 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 semi-finished rectangular steel blooms containing less than 0.25% carbon is 7207.12.
How do I classify Steel blooms for customs?
Steel blooms 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 difference between a bloom and a billet in HS coding?
While both are semi-finished, blooms generally have a larger, rectangular cross-section (7207.12), whereas billets are typically smaller and square (7207.11). The distinction is based on the dimensions and the ratio of width to thickness.
Which countries are the top exporters of steel blooms (HS 720712)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 720712 (the code used for steel blooms) 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 blooms (HS 720712)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 720712 (the code used for steel blooms) 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 blooms the same in all countries?
The base HS code 720712 for Steel blooms 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 blooms in Brazil?
In Brazil, steel blooms (HS 720712) is classified under NCM 7207.12.00.