Iron or non-alloy steel; semi-finished products of iron or non-alloy steel, containing by weight less than 0.25% of carbon, other than rectangular or square cross-section

HS code 720719 covers the classification of semi-finished products of iron or non-alloy steel, containing less than 0.25% of carbon by weight, with a cross-section other than rectangular or square. This industry plays a crucial role in the global steel supply chain, providing essential raw materials for a wide range of manufacturing and construction industries. The demand for these semi-finished steel products is closely tied to the overall health of the global economy and the performance of key downstream sectors such as 730110 Structures and parts of structures, of iron or steel, 840120 Machinery parts, not containing electrical connectors, insulators, coils, contacts or other electrical features, and 870120 Motor vehicles for the transport of goods.

The production of semi-finished steel products under HS code 720719 typically involves a multi-step process. First, iron ore, coal, and other raw materials are melted in a blast furnace or electric arc furnace to produce molten steel. The molten steel is then cast into various semi-finished forms, such as billets, blooms, or slabs, depending on the desired final product. These semi-finished steel products may undergo further processing, such as rolling, forging, or extrusion, to achieve the desired shape, size, and mechanical properties.

The main inputs required for the production of semi-finished steel products under HS code 720719 include iron ore, coal, and other ferrous scrap materials. Additionally, the industry relies on specialized equipment and machinery, such as blast furnaces, electric arc furnaces, and continuous casting machines, to efficiently transform the raw materials into the desired semi-finished steel products. Energy, in the form of electricity and natural gas, is another critical input for the steel manufacturing process.

The semi-finished steel products classified under HS code 720719 are primarily used as inputs for a variety of downstream industries. These products may be further processed and transformed into a wide range of finished steel products, such as 720810 Flat-rolled products of iron or non-alloy steel, of a width of 600 mm or more, hot-rolled, not clad, plated or coated, 721049 (Flat-rolled products of iron or non-alloy steel, of a width of 600 mm or more, hot-rolled or cold-rolled (cold-reduced), clad, plated or coated), and 730110 Structures and parts of structures, of iron or steel. The versatility of these semi-finished steel products makes them essential for the manufacturing of machinery, vehicles, construction materials, and a host of other industrial and consumer goods.