Product classification
HS code for Steel wire: 7217.90
Iron or non-alloy steel, wire, n.e.c. in heading no. 7217.
Classification of steel wire under HS 7217.90
Steel wire is classified under HS code 7217.90 when it is made of iron or non-alloy steel and does not fit into the more specific subheadings of heading 7217. Chapter 72 covers iron and steel, and heading 7217 is specifically for wire of iron or non-alloy steel. According to Note 1(o) to Chapter 72, wire is defined as cold-formed products in coils, of any cross-sectional shape, which do not conform to the definition of flat-rolled products. Subheading 7217.90 is a residual category for wire that is \"not elsewhere classified.\" This typically includes wire that has been coated, plated, or clad with metals other than zinc (which falls under 7217.20) or plastics (which falls under 7217.30), or wire that has undergone specific surface treatments or finishes not covered by 7217.10 (bare wire).
- Covers
- Iron or non-alloy steel wire coated with copper
- Nickel-plated non-alloy steel wire
- Chrome-plated steel wire in coils
- Steel wire with specialized metallic coatings (excluding zinc)
- Polished or decorated non-alloy steel wire
- Also under 7217.90
- Bekaert PVC-coated wire
- Prysmian insulated steel wire
- Nexans composite wire
- Custom-coated wire for specific industrial applications
- Southwire polymer-coated wire
Codes often confused with 7217.90
Common mistake. The most frequent misclassification is HS code 7217.10, which is for wire that is not plated or coated. If the wire has any form of metallic or non-metallic coating, 7217.10 is incorrect. Another common error is using 7217.20, which is specifically for zinc-coated (galvanized) wire. If the coating is copper or nickel, it must move to 7217.90. Additionally, wire made of stainless steel must be classified in heading 7223, and wire made of other alloy steels falls under heading 7229, making the material composition a vital factor in avoiding misclassification.
Top exporters and importers of HS 721790 (the code used for steel wire), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 721790 (the code used for steel wire) in UN Comtrade data was China, with 14% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Romania, with 12% 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 721790, not only steel wire.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 China $65M 14% of world exports
- 2 Germany $46M 9.9% of world exports
- 3 United States $39M 8.5% of world exports
World total: $460M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 Romania $75M 12% of world imports
- 2 United States $56M 8.7% of world imports
- 3 Malaysia $45M 7.0% of world imports
World total: $646M 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 wire
Brazil classifies steel wire under NCM 7217.90.00: HS 7217.90 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 wire
What is the HS code for Steel wire?
The HS code for Steel wire is 721790 (Iron or non-alloy steel; wire, n.e.c. in heading no. 7217). The HS code for iron or non-alloy steel wire that is not bare, galvanized, or plastic-coated is 7217.90.
How do I classify Steel wire for customs?
Steel wire is classified under HS code 721790 — Iron or non-alloy steel; wire, n.e.c. in heading no. 7217. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.
Is copper-coated steel wire included in 7217.90?
Yes, because copper-coated wire is not specifically mentioned in the other subheadings of 7217, it falls into the residual category of 7217.90.
Which countries are the top exporters of steel wire (HS 721790)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 721790 (the code used for steel wire) in UN Comtrade data were China ($65M, 14% of world exports), Germany ($46M) and the United States ($39M). World exports came to about $460M, 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 wire (HS 721790)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 721790 (the code used for steel wire) in UN Comtrade data were Romania ($75M, 12% of world imports), the United States ($56M) and Malaysia ($45M). World imports came to about $646M, 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 wire the same in all countries?
The base HS code 721790 for Steel wire 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 wire in Brazil?
In Brazil, steel wire (HS 721790) is classified under NCM 7217.90.00.