Product classification
HS code for Zinc-coated steel wire: 7217.20
Iron or non-alloy steel, wire, plated or coated with zinc.
Classification of zinc-coated steel wire under HS 7217.20
The classification of zinc-coated steel wire under HS code 721720 is determined by several technical factors defined in the Harmonized System's General Interpretative Rules. Firstly, the product must be defined as wire, which Note 2 to Chapter 72 describes as cold-formed products in coils, of any cross-sectional shape, which do not conform to the definition of flat-rolled products. Secondly, the material must be iron or non-alloy steel. This means the carbon content and other alloying elements must fall below the specific thresholds established in Note 1(f) to Chapter 72. The specific subheading 7217.20 is selected because the wire has been plated or coated with zinc. This coating is usually applied to prevent oxidation and corrosion of the underlying steel. The process can involve hot-dip galvanization, where the wire is passed through a molten zinc bath, or electro-galvanization, where zinc is deposited via an electrolytic cell. If the wire were coated with other metals like copper or tin, it would move to a different subheading. The diameter and cross-sectional consistency are also vital for this classification, as variations might lead to its classification as a rod or bar under heading 7213 or 7214.
- Covers
- Galvanized low-carbon steel wire
- Zinc-plated non-alloy steel wire in coils
- Hot-dip galvanized iron wire
- Electrolytic zinc-coated steel wire
- Galvanized fencing wire (single strand)
- Also under 7217.20
- Bekaert galvanized wire
- Liberty Steel galvanized products
- Tata Steel galvanized wire
- Sumitomo Electric galvanized wire
- Mid-South Wire galvanized products
Codes often confused with 7217.20
Common mistake. This product is frequently confused with HS code 721710, which covers wire that is polished but not coated. It is also often misclassified under 721730, which is reserved for wire coated with other base metals like plastics or copper. Furthermore, if the wire is twisted into multiple strands, it must be classified under heading 7312 as stranded wire or cables rather than 721720.
Top exporters and importers of HS 721720 (the code used for zinc-coated steel wire), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 721720 (the code used for zinc-coated steel wire) in UN Comtrade data was China, with 34% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was the United States, with 7.8% 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 721720, not only zinc-coated steel wire.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 China $854M 34% of world exports
- 2 Türkiye $204M 8.2% of world exports
- 3 Slovakia $178M 7.1% of world exports
World total: $2.5B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 United States $190M 7.8% of world imports
- 2 Poland $143M 5.8% of world imports
- 3 Germany $115M 4.7% of world imports
World total: $2.4B 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 codes for zinc-coated steel wire
Brazil splits HS 7217.20 into 2 NCM codes. Pick the one that matches your product:
- 7217.20.10Zinc-coated wire, 0.6% carbon or more
- 7217.20.90Zinc-coated wire, under 0.6% carbon
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 zinc-coated steel wire
What is the HS code for Zinc-coated steel wire?
The HS code for Zinc-coated steel wire is 721720 (Iron or non-alloy steel; wire, plated or coated with zinc). The HS code for zinc-coated iron or non-alloy steel wire is 721720.
How do I classify Zinc-coated steel wire for customs?
Zinc-coated steel wire is classified under HS code 721720 — Iron or non-alloy steel; wire, plated or coated with zinc. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.
Does this code include stainless steel wire?
No, stainless steel wire is classified under heading 7223, regardless of whether it is coated with zinc or not.
Which countries are the top exporters of zinc-coated steel wire (HS 721720)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 721720 (the code used for zinc-coated steel wire) in UN Comtrade data were China ($854M, 34% of world exports), Türkiye ($204M) and Slovakia ($178M). World exports came to about $2.5B, 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 zinc-coated steel wire (HS 721720)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 721720 (the code used for zinc-coated steel wire) in UN Comtrade data were the United States ($190M, 7.8% of world imports), Poland ($143M) and Germany ($115M). World imports came to about $2.4B, 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 Zinc-coated steel wire the same in all countries?
The base HS code 721720 for Zinc-coated 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 zinc-coated steel wire in Brazil?
Brazil splits HS 721720 into 2 NCM codes, so the right one for zinc-coated steel wire depends on the product's details: 7217.20.10 (Zinc-coated wire, 0.6% carbon or more), 7217.20.90 (Zinc-coated wire, under 0.6% carbon).