Product classification
HS code for Tin-free steel: 7210.50
Iron or non-alloy steel, flat-rolled, width 600mm or more, plated or coated with chromium oxides or with chromium and chromium oxides.
Classification of tin-free steel under HS 7210.50
Tin-free steel (TFS), technically known as Electrolytic Chromium Coated Steel (ECCS), is classified under HS code 7210.50. This code is specific to flat-rolled products of iron or non-alloy steel with a width of 600 mm or more that have been plated or coated with chromium oxides or with chromium and chromium oxides. TFS was developed as a more economical alternative to traditional tinplate. It features a dual-layer coating: a bottom layer of metallic chromium and a top layer of chromium oxide. This structure provides excellent lacquer adhesion and resistance to sulfur staining, making it highly desirable for the production of food cans, crown corks, and deep-drawn components. The classification is strictly determined by the width of the steel (600 mm or more) and the specific chemical nature of the coating (chromium-based), distinguishing it from other coated steels like galvanized or tin-plated varieties. This classification ensures that the material is correctly identified for industrial packaging standards.
- Covers
- Electrolytic Chromium Coated Steel (ECCS) sheets
- Wide coils of chromium-plated non-alloy steel
- TFS used for can ends and twist-off caps
- Lacquered tin-free steel in wide rolls
- Also under 7210.50
- JFE Tin-Free Steel
- ArcelorMittal ECCS
- Nippon Steel TFS
- POSCO Chromium Coated Steel
Codes often confused with 7210.50
Common mistake. Tin-free steel is often confused with tin-plated steel (tinplate) under 7210.11 or 7210.12. The primary difference is the coating material; 7210.50 is for chromium coatings, while 7210.11/12 is for tin coatings. It is also sometimes misclassified under 7210.70 if it is painted or plastic-coated, but the chromium layer takes precedence in the 7210.50 sub-heading if it is the primary protective coating.
Top exporters and importers of HS 721050 (the code used for tin-free steel), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 721050 (the code used for tin-free steel) in UN Comtrade data was China, with 33% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was the United States, with 26% 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 721050, not only tin-free steel.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 China $470M 33% of world exports
- 2 Japan $217M 15% of world exports
- 3 Canada $176M 12% of world exports
World total: $1.4B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 United States $419M 26% of world imports
- 2 Italy $161M 9.9% of world imports
- 3 Mexico $147M 9.0% of world imports
World total: $1.6B 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 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 tin-free steel
Brazil classifies tin-free steel under NCM 7210.50.00: HS 7210.50 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 tin-free steel
What is the HS code for Tin-free steel?
The HS code for Tin-free steel is 721050 (Iron or non-alloy steel; flat-rolled, width 600mm or more, plated or coated with chromium oxides or with chromium and chromium oxides). The HS code for tin-free steel (width 600mm or more) is 7210.50.
How do I classify Tin-free steel for customs?
Tin-free steel is classified under HS code 721050 — Iron or non-alloy steel; flat-rolled, width 600mm or more, plated or coated with chromium oxides or with chromium and chromium oxides. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.
Is tin-free steel the same as stainless steel?
No, tin-free steel is a non-alloy steel with a thin chromium coating, whereas stainless steel (Chapter 7219/7220) is an alloy steel containing at least 10.5% chromium throughout the metal.
Which countries are the top exporters of tin-free steel (HS 721050)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 721050 (the code used for tin-free steel) in UN Comtrade data were China ($470M, 33% of world exports), Japan ($217M) and Canada ($176M). World exports came to about $1.4B, 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 tin-free steel (HS 721050)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 721050 (the code used for tin-free steel) in UN Comtrade data were the United States ($419M, 26% of world imports), Italy ($161M) and Mexico ($147M). World imports came to about $1.6B, 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 Tin-free steel the same in all countries?
The base HS code 721050 for Tin-free steel 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 tin-free steel in Brazil?
In Brazil, tin-free steel (HS 721050) is classified under NCM 7210.50.00.