Product classification
HS code for Steel profiles: 7216.99
Iron or non-alloy steel, angles, shapes and sections, n.e.c. in heading no. 7216.
Classification of steel profiles under HS 7216.99
Steel profiles are classified under HS code 7216.99. This code is part of Chapter 72 (Iron and Steel) and heading 7216, which covers angles, shapes, and sections of iron or non-alloy steel. According to Note 1(n) to Chapter 72, these are products that do not assume the character of flat-rolled products and do not have a cross-section in the shape of a circle, segment of a circle, oval, isosceles triangle, rectangle, or square. Subheading 7216.99 is a residual category for profiles that have been further worked than hot-rolled, hot-drawn, or extruded, or those that do not fit into the standard U, I, H, L, or T sections defined in the earlier subheadings. These profiles are often cold-formed or cold-finished from flat-rolled products and are used in various structural, decorative, and industrial applications where specific, non-standard cross-sections are required.
- Covers
- Cold-formed non-alloy steel sections
- Specialized Z-profiles (non-alloy)
- C-channel profiles not elsewhere specified
- Cold-finished steel angles and shapes
- Custom-designed non-alloy structural sections
- Also under 7216.99
- Custom-fabricated steel sections for unique building designs
- Specialized profiles for railway infrastructure
- Bespoke shapes for heavy machinery
- Custom sections for marine applications
- Tailored profiles for renewable energy structures
Codes often confused with 7216.99
Common mistake. Steel profiles are frequently misclassified under HS codes 7216.10 through 7216.50, which are strictly for standard hot-rolled U, I, H, L, or T sections. If the profile is cold-formed, it must be moved to the 7216.6x or 7216.9x series. Another common error is classification under HS code 7308.90. Heading 7308 is for prepared structures and parts of structures; if the profile has been drilled, bent into a specific structural component, or otherwise prepared for use in a specific building, it moves from Chapter 72 (raw materials) to Chapter 73 (articles of steel).
Top exporters and importers of HS 721699 (the code used for steel profiles), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 721699 (the code used for steel profiles) in UN Comtrade data was China, with 34% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was the United States, with 31% 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 721699, not only steel profiles.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 China $110M 34% of world exports
- 2 Canada $22M 6.8% of world exports
- 3 Thailand $20M 6.3% of world exports
World total: $322M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 United States $183M 31% of world imports
- 2 Indonesia $36M 6.3% of world imports
- 3 France $29M 5.0% of world imports
World total: $582M 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 profiles
Brazil classifies steel profiles under NCM 7216.99.00: HS 7216.99 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 profiles
What is the HS code for Steel profiles?
The HS code for Steel profiles is 721699 (Iron or non-alloy steel; angles, shapes and sections, n.e.c. in heading no. 7216). The HS code for non-alloy steel angles, shapes, and sections not elsewhere specified is 7216.99.
How do I classify Steel profiles for customs?
Steel profiles is classified under HS code 721699 — Iron or non-alloy steel; angles, shapes and sections, n.e.c. in heading no. 7216. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.
What is the difference between 7216 and 7308?
Heading 7216 covers basic shapes and sections (raw materials), while heading 7308 covers profiles that have been further processed into structural components for construction.
Which countries are the top exporters of steel profiles (HS 721699)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 721699 (the code used for steel profiles) in UN Comtrade data were China ($110M, 34% of world exports), Canada ($22M) and Thailand ($20M). World exports came to about $322M, 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 profiles (HS 721699)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 721699 (the code used for steel profiles) in UN Comtrade data were the United States ($183M, 31% of world imports), Indonesia ($36M) and France ($29M). World imports came to about $582M, 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 profiles the same in all countries?
The base HS code 721699 for Steel profiles 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 profiles in Brazil?
In Brazil, steel profiles (HS 721699) is classified under NCM 7216.99.00.