Product classification
HS code for Steel flat bars: 7214.91
Iron or non-alloy steel, bars and rods, hot-rolled, hot-drawn or hot-extruded, n.e.c. in heading no. 7214, of rectangular (other than square) cross-section.
Classification of steel flat bars under HS 7214.91
HS code 7214.91 applies to hot-rolled bars and rods of iron or non-alloy steel that have a rectangular (other than square) cross-section. This classification is part of Chapter 72, which covers the primary forms and basic products of the iron and steel industry. Heading 7214 is dedicated to bars and rods that have not been further worked than forged, hot-rolled, hot-drawn, or hot-extruded. The "flat bar" designation specifically refers to products where the width is significantly greater than the thickness, forming a rectangular profile. The distinction between 7214 and other headings like 7215 is the state of the steel; 7214 is for hot-finished products, whereas 7215 is for cold-finished or cold-drawn products. The carbon content must also be below the thresholds for alloy steel to remain within the 7214 category. These bars are widely used in construction, manufacturing, and general engineering. The classification requires that the product does not meet the definition of "flat-rolled products" (which are usually wider and found in 7208-7212) and that it is not coiled (which would fall under 7213).
- Covers
- Hot-rolled carbon steel flat bars
- Rectangular cross-section bars (non-square)
- Forged steel flat bars not further worked
- Hot-extruded non-alloy steel flats
- Hot-drawn rectangular bars
- Also under 7214.91
- ArcelorMittal flat bars
- Nucor rectangular bars
- Tata Steel flat sections
- JSW Steel hot-rolled flats
Codes often confused with 7214.91
Common mistake. Steel flat bars are often misclassified under 7216, which covers angles, shapes, and sections. However, 7216 is reserved for products where the cross-section is not a simple rectangle, circle, or square (e.g., L-beams, I-beams). Another common error is using 7215.50 for flat bars that have been cold-finished; 7214.91 is strictly for hot-worked products. Additionally, if the width of the bar exceeds certain limits relative to its thickness, it may be classified as a flat-rolled product under 7208, depending on the specific dimensions defined in the Chapter 72 legal notes.
Top exporters and importers of HS 721491 (the code used for steel flat bars), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 721491 (the code used for steel flat bars) in UN Comtrade data was Italy, with 19% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Germany, with 18% 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 721491, not only steel flat bars.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 Italy $207M 19% of world exports
- 2 Spain $146M 14% of world exports
- 3 France $136M 13% of world exports
World total: $1.1B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 Germany $202M 18% of world imports
- 2 France $82M 7.5% of world imports
- 3 Netherlands $45M 4.1% of world imports
World total: $1.1B 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 code for steel flat bars
Brazil classifies steel flat bars under NCM 7214.91.00: HS 7214.91 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 steel flat bars
What is the HS code for Steel flat bars?
The HS code for Steel flat bars is 721491 (Iron or non-alloy steel; bars and rods, hot-rolled, hot-drawn or hot-extruded, n.e.c. in heading no. 7214, of rectangular (other than square) cross-section). The HS code for hot-rolled flat bars of iron or non-alloy steel is 7214.91.
How do I classify Steel flat bars for customs?
Steel flat bars is classified under HS code 721491 — Iron or non-alloy steel; bars and rods, hot-rolled, hot-drawn or hot-extruded, n.e.c. in heading no. 7214, of rectangular (other than square) cross-section. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.
What is the difference between 7214 and 7215?
Heading 7214 is for products that are hot-rolled or forged, while 7215 is for products that have been cold-finished or cold-drawn.
Which countries are the top exporters of steel flat bars (HS 721491)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 721491 (the code used for steel flat bars) in UN Comtrade data were Italy ($207M, 19% of world exports), Spain ($146M) and France ($136M). World exports came to about $1.1B, 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 flat bars (HS 721491)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 721491 (the code used for steel flat bars) in UN Comtrade data were Germany ($202M, 18% of world imports), France ($82M) and the Netherlands ($45M). World imports came to about $1.1B, 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 flat bars the same in all countries?
The base HS code 721491 for Steel flat bars 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 flat bars in Brazil?
In Brazil, steel flat bars (HS 721491) is classified under NCM 7214.91.00.