Product classification
HS code for Steel rods: 7214.99
Iron or non-alloy steel, bars and rods, hot-rolled, hot-drawn or hot-extruded, n.e.c. in heading no. 7214, other than of rectangular cross-section.
Classification of steel rods under HS 7214.99
Steel rods classified under HS code 7214.99 are defined as iron or non-alloy steel bars and rods that have been hot-rolled, hot-drawn, or hot-extruded. This specific subheading is a residual category for products that do not fit into other specific descriptions within heading 7214, such as those with specific indentations, ribs, or grooves, or those of rectangular cross-section. The classification depends on the manufacturing process—specifically that the steel has not undergone further cold-finishing or cold-forming after the initial hot-working process. These rods are typically used in construction and manufacturing where the precise tolerances of cold-finished steel are not required. The material must contain less than 0.25% carbon to remain within the non-alloy steel parameters of this chapter. The cross-section must be something other than rectangular, such as circular, hexagonal, or other polygonal shapes. These products are foundational in the construction industry, often used as reinforcement or as raw material for further machining where the surface finish of cold-rolled steel is unnecessary.
- Covers
- Hot-rolled round bars
- Hot-rolled hexagonal bars
- Hot-rolled octagonal bars
- Irregularly shaped hot-rolled rods
- Non-alloy steel bars for reinforcement
- Also under 7214.99
- SSAB hot-rolled square bars
- Outokumpu round bars
- Nucor steel sections
- Tata Steel general purpose bars
Codes often confused with 7214.99
Common mistake. Steel rods are frequently confused with those under HS code 7213.91, which covers bars and rods in irregularly wound coils. If the rod is coiled rather than in straight lengths, it must be moved to 7213. Additionally, rods that have been cold-finished or cold-formed are classified under heading 7215. Misclassification also occurs with alloy steel rods, which belong in heading 7228.
Top exporters and importers of HS 721499 (the code used for steel rods), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 721499 (the code used for steel rods) in UN Comtrade data was China, with 24% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Germany, with 9.3% 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 721499, not only steel rods.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 China $796M 24% of world exports
- 2 Italy $336M 10% of world exports
- 3 Bulgaria $234M 7.2% of world exports
World total: $3.3B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 Germany $297M 9.3% of world imports
- 2 Thailand $245M 7.7% of world imports
- 3 Czechia $165M 5.2% of world imports
World total: $3.2B 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 codes for steel rods
Brazil splits HS 7214.99 into 2 NCM codes. Pick the one that matches your product:
- 7214.99.10Round bars, hot-rolled/drawn/extruded, non-alloy
- 7214.99.90Square or other bars, hot-rolled/drawn/extruded
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 rods
What is the HS code for Steel rods?
The HS code for Steel rods is 721499 (Iron or non-alloy steel; bars and rods, hot-rolled, hot-drawn or hot-extruded, n.e.c. in heading no. 7214, other than of rectangular cross-section). The HS code for hot-rolled, non-alloy steel rods of non-rectangular cross-section, not elsewhere specified, is 7214.99.
How do I classify Steel rods for customs?
Steel rods is classified under HS code 721499 — Iron or non-alloy steel; bars and rods, hot-rolled, hot-drawn or hot-extruded, n.e.c. in heading no. 7214, other than of rectangular cross-section. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.
What is the difference between HS code 7214 and 7215?
Heading 7214 covers rods that are hot-rolled or hot-drawn, while heading 7215 is reserved for rods that have been cold-finished or cold-formed after the initial hot-working process.
Which countries are the top exporters of steel rods (HS 721499)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 721499 (the code used for steel rods) in UN Comtrade data were China ($796M, 24% of world exports), Italy ($336M) and Bulgaria ($234M). World exports came to about $3.3B, 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 rods (HS 721499)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 721499 (the code used for steel rods) in UN Comtrade data were Germany ($297M, 9.3% of world imports), Thailand ($245M) and Czechia ($165M). World imports came to about $3.2B, 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 rods the same in all countries?
The base HS code 721499 for Steel rods 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 rods in Brazil?
Brazil splits HS 721499 into 2 NCM codes, so the right one for steel rods depends on the product's details: 7214.99.10 (Round bars, hot-rolled/drawn/extruded, non-alloy), 7214.99.90 (Square or other bars, hot-rolled/drawn/extruded).