Product classification
HS code for Welded stainless steel pipe: 7306.40
Steel, stainless, tubes, pipes and hollow profiles, welded, of circular cross-section, n.e.c. in chapter 73.
Classification of welded stainless steel pipe under HS 7306.40
Welded stainless steel pipes are classified under HS code 7306.40. This classification is based on the material composition, the manufacturing method, and the cross-sectional shape. Chapter 73 covers articles of iron and steel, and heading 7306 is reserved for tubes, pipes, and hollow profiles that are not seamless (e.g., welded, riveted, or similarly closed). For a product to fall under 7306.40, it must be made of stainless steel, which is defined in the Chapter 72 notes as alloy steel containing by weight 1.2% or less of carbon and 10.5% or more of chromium. Furthermore, the pipe must have a circular cross-section. The welding process typically involves forming a stainless steel strip into a cylinder and joining the edges using longitudinal or spiral welding techniques such as TIG or laser welding.
- Covers
- Welded circular stainless steel exhaust pipes
- Food-grade stainless steel tubing for dairy and beverage processing
- Chemical transport pipes made of welded stainless steel
- Structural stainless steel pipes for architectural use
- Welded heat exchanger tubes of stainless steel
- Also under 7306.40
- Outokumpu stainless tubes
- Sandvik stainless pipes
- ThyssenKrupp stainless profiles
- POSCO stainless tubing
Codes often confused with 7306.40
Common mistake. Welded stainless steel pipes are often confused with seamless stainless steel pipes, which are classified under HS code 7304.41 (cold-drawn) or 7304.49 (other). Seamless pipes are manufactured through extrusion or piercing and do not have a weld seam. Another common misclassification occurs with HS code 7306.30, which is for welded pipes of non-alloy steel. If the chromium content is below 10.5%, the pipe cannot be classified as stainless steel. Additionally, if the stainless steel pipe has a square or rectangular cross-section, it must be classified under 7306.61 rather than 7306.40.
Top exporters and importers of HS 730640 (the code used for welded stainless steel pipe), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 730640 (the code used for welded stainless steel pipe) in UN Comtrade data was Italy, with 26% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was the United States, 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 730640, not only welded stainless steel pipe.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 Italy $1.1B 26% of world exports
- 2 China $454M 10% of world exports
- 3 Germany $440M 10% of world exports
World total: $4.4B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 United States $514M 12% of world imports
- 2 Germany $445M 10% of world imports
- 3 Poland $232M 5.4% of world imports
World total: $4.3B 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 welded stainless steel pipe
Brazil classifies welded stainless steel pipe under NCM 7306.40.00: HS 7306.40 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 welded stainless steel pipe
What is the HS code for Welded stainless steel pipe?
The HS code for Welded stainless steel pipe is 730640 (Steel, stainless; tubes, pipes and hollow profiles, welded, of circular cross-section, n.e.c. in chapter 73). The HS code for welded stainless steel pipes with a circular cross-section is 7306.40.
How do I classify Welded stainless steel pipe for customs?
Welded stainless steel pipe is classified under HS code 730640 — Steel, stainless; tubes, pipes and hollow profiles, welded, of circular cross-section, n.e.c. in chapter 73. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.
Can I use 7306.40 for square stainless steel tubes?
No, square or rectangular welded stainless steel tubes are classified under HS code 7306.61.
Which countries are the top exporters of welded stainless steel pipe (HS 730640)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 730640 (the code used for welded stainless steel pipe) in UN Comtrade data were Italy ($1.1B, 26% of world exports), China ($454M) and Germany ($440M). World exports came to about $4.4B, 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 welded stainless steel pipe (HS 730640)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 730640 (the code used for welded stainless steel pipe) in UN Comtrade data were the United States ($514M, 12% of world imports), Germany ($445M) and Poland ($232M). World imports came to about $4.3B, 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.
Is the HS code for Welded stainless steel pipe the same in all countries?
The base HS code 730640 for Welded stainless steel pipe 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 welded stainless steel pipe in Brazil?
In Brazil, welded stainless steel pipe (HS 730640) is classified under NCM 7306.40.00.