Product classification
HS code for Tinplate: 7210.12
Iron or non-alloy steel, flat-rolled, width 600mm or more, plated or coated with tin, thickness of less than 0.5mm.
Classification of tinplate under HS 7210.12
Tinplate classified under HS code 7210.12 refers to flat-rolled products of iron or non-alloy steel. To qualify for this specific subheading, the material must have a width of 600 mm or more and be plated or coated with tin. Furthermore, the thickness must be strictly less than 0.5 mm. This classification is determined by the base metal composition, the specific coating material (tin), the physical dimensions (width), and the gauge (thickness). The Harmonized System distinguishes between various thicknesses of tin-coated steel, making the 0.5 mm threshold a critical technical boundary for customs declarations. These products are typically used in the packaging industry, particularly for food and beverage cans, due to their corrosion resistance and formability.
- Covers
- Electrolytic tinplate (ETP) sheets
- Hot-dipped tin-coated steel coils
- Tin-plated steel for beverage can manufacturing
- Lacquered tinplate (if the primary coating is tin)
- Single reduced and double reduced tinplate under 0.5mm
- Also under 7210.12
- US Steel tinplate
- thyssenkrupp Rasselstein tinplate
- JFE Steel ETP
- Baosteel tinplate
- Nippon Steel tinplate
Codes often confused with 7210.12
Common mistake. This code is frequently confused with HS code 7210.11, which covers tinplate with a thickness of 0.5 mm or more. Another common error involves HS code 7212.10, which applies to tin-plated products with a width of less than 600 mm. Additionally, if the steel is coated with chromium oxides or chromium and polyethylene, it should be classified under 7210.50 (TFS - Tin Free Steel) rather than 7210.12.
Top exporters and importers of HS 721012 (the code used for tinplate), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 721012 (the code used for tinplate) in UN Comtrade data was China, with 26% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was the United States, with 25% 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 721012, not only tinplate.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 China $1.8B 26% of world exports
- 2 Germany $1.4B 20% of world exports
- 3 Netherlands $813M 12% of world exports
World total: $6.9B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 United States $1.9B 25% of world imports
- 2 Italy $884M 12% of world imports
- 3 Mexico $326M 4.4% of world imports
World total: $7.4B 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 tinplate
Brazil classifies tinplate under NCM 7210.12.00: HS 7210.12 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 tinplate
What is the HS code for Tinplate?
The HS code for Tinplate is 721012 (Iron or non-alloy steel; flat-rolled, width 600mm or more, plated or coated with tin, thickness of less than 0.5mm). The HS code for tinplate with a width of 600mm or more and a thickness of less than 0.5mm is 7210.12.
How do I classify Tinplate for customs?
Tinplate is classified under HS code 721012 — Iron or non-alloy steel; flat-rolled, width 600mm or more, plated or coated with tin, thickness of less than 0.5mm. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.
Does 7210.12 include printed tinplate?
Yes, as long as the primary characteristic remains tin-coated steel under 0.5mm thickness, printed or lacquered versions are generally included here unless the coating changes the essential character to a different material.
Which countries are the top exporters of tinplate (HS 721012)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 721012 (the code used for tinplate) in UN Comtrade data were China ($1.8B, 26% of world exports), Germany ($1.4B) and the Netherlands ($813M). World exports came to about $6.9B, 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 tinplate (HS 721012)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 721012 (the code used for tinplate) in UN Comtrade data were the United States ($1.9B, 25% of world imports), Italy ($884M) and Mexico ($326M). World imports came to about $7.4B, 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.
Is the HS code for Tinplate the same in all countries?
The base HS code 721012 for Tinplate 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 tinplate in Brazil?
In Brazil, tinplate (HS 721012) is classified under NCM 7210.12.00.