HS Code:
Rails other than those known as 'standard rails' under HS Code subheading 7302.10.10 (excluding specific statistical reporting numbers 7302.10.1010, 7302.10.1035, 7302.10.1065, or 7302.10.1075) refer to railway or tramway track construction materials made of iron or steel. These include non-standard rails used for specialized applications such as industrial tracks, mining operations, or specific railway systems. This category excludes the commonly used standard rails for mainline railways and focuses on niche or customized rail products. These products are critical for infrastructure development and industrial transport systems globally.
Total Trade Volume
Approximately $1.2 billion USD
Data from 2022
Source
United Nations Comtrade Database and World Trade Organization (WTO) Statistics
$450 million USD
37.5% of total trade of total trade
Increasing
$200 million USD
16.7% of total trade of total trade
Stable
$150 million USD
12.5% of total trade of total trade
Increasing
$100 million USD
8.3% of total trade of total trade
Stable
$80 million USD
6.7% of total trade of total trade
Increasing
Average Rate
5.2% ad valorem
Highest Rate
12% (applied by certain developing countries to protect domestic industries)
Lowest Rate
0% (under free trade agreements such as EU-Japan EPA or USMCA)
Rising demand for specialized rails in mining and industrial sectors
Increased production and export from major steel-producing countries like China and India to meet global infrastructure needs
2021-2022
Shift towards sustainable steel production
Higher costs for exporters adopting green technologies, but improved market access in environmentally conscious regions like the EU
2022
Growth in urban transit systems
Boost in demand for non-standard rails for metro and tramway systems in developing economies
2020-2022
The European Union imposed anti-dumping duties ranging from 7.6% to 10.3% on certain Chinese steel rail products to protect domestic manufacturers.
March 2023
Potential reduction in Chinese exports to the EU, with opportunities for other exporters like Japan and India to fill the gap.
The US Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act allocated significant funding for railway upgrades, increasing demand for specialized rails.
November 2021
Increased imports and domestic production of non-standard rails to meet project timelines, benefiting exporters like Germany and Japan.
Chinaโs ongoing Belt and Road Initiative continues to drive demand for rail materials in Asia and Africa, with a focus on customized rail solutions.
Ongoing as of 2023
Sustained export growth for Chinese manufacturers, with ripple effects on global supply chains for steel and rail products.