Product intelligence · HS 731029 · 2024 data

Tanks, casks, drums, boxes and similar containers for any material (excluding compressed or liquefied gas) less than 50l capacity, n.e.s. in item no. 7310.2, of iron or steel

Global exports of tanks, casks, drums, boxes and similar containers for any material (excluding compressed or liquefied gas) less than 50l capacity, n.e.s. in item no. 7310.2, of iron or steel totalled $2,527,842,895 in 2024, a -2.6% change from the previous year. Traded by 183 countries across 5,463 bilateral corridors, with demand from 199 importing markets. The long-term trend is stable.

Data: OECD BIMTS · Coverage: 19952024 · Updated: 2026-07-17

Global trade

$2.5B

-2.6% YoY

3Y / 5Y CAGR

+0.7%

5Y: +1.2%

Supply structure

Diversified

HHI 0.082

Volatility

Low

Score 4/100

1.

Market movement

In 2024, tanks, casks, drums, boxes and similar containers for any material (excluding compressed or liquefied gas) less than 50l capacity, n.e.s. in item no. 7310.2, of iron or steel trade exhibited slight decline, with global flows reaching $2,527,842,895 and a three-year compound annual growth rate of +0.7% (five-year: +1.2%). The all-time peak of $2,797,486,851 was recorded in 2022; the current level is 10% below that high-water mark.

Over the 30-year observation window (19952024), 66% of years recorded positive growth, indicating a predominantly expanding market. Trend momentum is steady (+0.4% acceleration).

The World Trade Flows Characterization classifies tanks, casks, drums, boxes and similar containers for any material (excluding compressed or liquefied gas) less than 50l capacity, n.e.s. in item no. 7310.2, of iron or steel as "One-way trade" in the high price range price segment, providing additional context for market positioning and competitive dynamics.

2.

Supply & demand structure

The supply side is diversified (Herfindahl-Hirschman Index 0.082). The three largest exporters — China ($512.7M), Italy ($275.0M), and Germany ($266.8M) — collectively dominate supply flows. The leading exporter has grown at -2.6% over the last three years.

On the demand side, importer concentration is diversified (HHI 0.037). The three largest import markets are United States ($246.0M), France ($193.7M), and United Kingdom ($157.0M). The largest importing market sources from 82 different supplying countries.

Estimated substitution elasticity: -4.93. Buyers have moderate flexibility to shift sourcing, but face some switching costs.

The dominant trade corridor is United States → Canada at $95.5M, representing 81.6% of the importer's total demand.

3.

Risk profile & trade outlook

The volatility score for tanks, casks, drums, boxes and similar containers for any material (excluding compressed or liquefied gas) less than 50l capacity, n.e.s. in item no. 7310.2, of iron or steel is 4 out of 100, classified as low. Trade flows are relatively stable compared to other HS6 products, suggesting mature supply chains and predictable demand.

For market entrants, contracting demand signals caution before committing resources. The diversified supply landscape means many competitors but also multiple entry points and buyer relationships to target.

Data confidence is rated "High" based on reporting coverage and consistency across OECD member and partner countries.

Historical evidence

Annual trade value 19952024

Peak: $2,797,486,851 in 2022. Currently 10% below peak.

YearGlobal trade (USD)YoY growth
2015$2,430,420,057-1.5%
2016$2,284,295,445-6.0%
2017$2,313,808,306+1.3%
2018$2,463,915,721+6.5%
2019$2,378,337,547-3.5%
2020$2,116,467,625-11.0%
2021$2,477,293,502+17.0%
2022$2,797,486,851+12.9%
2023$2,594,592,483-7.3%
2024$2,527,842,895-2.6%

Top exporting countries

Ranked by export value of tanks, casks, drums, boxes and similar containers for any material (excluding compressed or liquefied gas) less than 50l capacity, n.e.s. in item no. 7310.2, of iron or steel in 2024.

View all 183 exporters →

Top importing markets

Largest import destinations for tanks, casks, drums, boxes and similar containers for any material (excluding compressed or liquefied gas) less than 50l capacity, n.e.s. in item no. 7310.2, of iron or steel.

View all 199 markets →

Leading trade corridors

Largest bilateral export flows for tanks, casks, drums, boxes and similar containers for any material (excluding compressed or liquefied gas) less than 50l capacity, n.e.s. in item no. 7310.2, of iron or steel, ranked by value. Click any country to view its full profile.

#ExporterImporterValue 20243Y CAGR
1United StatesCanada$95.5M+2.7%
2MexicoUnited States$70.8M+33.6%
3ChinaUnited States$69.3M-16.3%
4GermanyFrance$57.1M+4.8%
5United StatesMexico$53.7M-9.6%
6ItalyFrance$50.4M-6.5%
7PortugalSpain$44.0M-1.1%
8ChinaUnited Kingdom$37.8M-10.6%

Showing top 8 of 10 corridors with available data for 2024.

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Sources, definitions & methodology

Data source

OECD Bilateral International Merchandise Trade Statistics (BIMTS). Aggregated from 312M+ reported trade records across 200+ countries and 5,300+ HS6 product codes. Coverage: 19952024.

Key indicators

HHI (Herfindahl-Hirschman Index): market concentration, 0 = fully diversified, 1 = single player. CAGR: compound annual growth rate over a stated period. Volatility score: trade value variability, 0–100 scale.

How this page is made

All statistical content on this page is data-driven, composed programmatically from live OECD trade records. No generic AI-generated prose is used. Analytical paragraphs combine real data points with factual interpretation. This page was last refreshed on 2026-07-17.