Product classification
HS code for Welding wire: 8311.20
Wire, cored, of base metal, for electric arc-welding.
Classification of welding wire under HS 8311.20
Welding wire is classified under HS code 8311.20, which pertains to cored wire of base metal used for electric arc-welding. Chapter 83 of the Harmonized System covers miscellaneous articles of base metal. Heading 8311 specifically includes wire, rods, tubes, plates, electrodes, and similar products, of base metal or of metal carbides, coated or cored with flux material, of a kind used for soldering, brazing, welding, or deposition of metal. The subheading 8311.20 is designated for cored wire. This type of wire consists of a hollow metal sheath filled with a flux or alloying powder, which provides protection to the weld pool and improves the mechanical properties of the weld. This classification is distinct from solid welding wires, which are classified based on their constituent metal in their respective chapters, such as Chapter 72 for iron or steel. The presence of the flux core is the essential character that moves the product from a simple metal wire to a specialized welding consumable under heading 8311. Proper classification requires identifying the internal composition of the wire to ensure it meets the definition of "cored."
- Covers
- Flux-cored arc welding (FCAW) wire
- Tubular welding wire with flux core
- Cored wire for electric arc-welding of steel
- Cored wire for hard-facing applications
- Metal-cored wire for arc welding
- Also under 8311.20
- Lincoln Electric Innershield
- ESAB Dual Shield
- Hobart FabCO
- Miller Electric cored wire
- Hyundai Welding cored wire
Codes often confused with 8311.20
Common mistake. Welding wire is often misclassified under 7217 (wire of iron or non-alloy steel) or 7605 (aluminum wire). These codes are for solid metal wires that do not contain a flux core or a coating of flux material. If the wire is solid and intended for MIG welding where the shielding gas is provided externally, it is classified by its material composition in Chapters 72-81. Another common error is confusing 8311.20 with 8311.10. While both are welding consumables, 8311.10 is specifically for coated electrodes used in manual metal arc (stick) welding, whereas 8311.20 is for cored wire used in semi-automatic or automatic processes.
Top exporters and importers of HS 831120 (the code used for welding wire), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 831120 (the code used for welding wire) in UN Comtrade data was China, with 22% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Canada, with 7.1% 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 831120, not only welding wire.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 China $261M 22% of world exports
- 2 United States $150M 12% of world exports
- 3 South Korea $139M 11% of world exports
World total: $1.2B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 Canada $90M 7.1% of world imports
- 2 United States $88M 7.0% of world imports
- 3 Mexico $71M 5.7% of world imports
World total: $1.3B 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 welding wire
Brazil classifies welding wire under NCM 8311.20.00: HS 8311.20 with 00 added.
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text on each NCM page is the official one.
Questions about welding wire
What is the HS code for Welding wire?
The HS code for Welding wire is 831120 (Wire; cored, of base metal, for electric arc-welding). The HS code for cored welding wire used for electric arc-welding is 8311.20. Solid welding wire is classified elsewhere based on its metal composition.
How do I classify Welding wire for customs?
Welding wire is classified under HS code 831120 — Wire; cored, of base metal, for electric arc-welding. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.
Does this code include solid MIG wire?
No, solid MIG wire is typically classified under the specific metal chapter, such as 7217 for steel or 7408 for copper, because it lacks the flux core required for 8311.20.
Which countries are the top exporters of welding wire (HS 831120)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 831120 (the code used for welding wire) in UN Comtrade data were China ($261M, 22% of world exports), the United States ($150M) and South Korea ($139M). World exports came to about $1.2B, 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.
Which countries are the top importers of welding wire (HS 831120)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 831120 (the code used for welding wire) in UN Comtrade data were Canada ($90M, 7.1% of world imports), the United States ($88M) and Mexico ($71M). World imports came to about $1.3B, 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 Welding wire the same in all countries?
The base HS code 831120 for Welding 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 welding wire in Brazil?
In Brazil, welding wire (HS 831120) is classified under NCM 8311.20.00.