NAICS 332420

Overview

The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) is the production-oriented standard used by U.S. federal statistical agencies to classify business establishments for collecting, analyzing, and publishing economic statistics. Developed under the auspices of the Office of Management and Budget and adopted in 1997, NAICS was created jointly by the U.S., Canada, and Mexico; the current vintage is 2022. ¹
NAICS 332420 covers establishments primarily engaged in cutting, forming, and joining heavy‑gauge metal to manufacture tanks, vessels, and other containers. It distinguishes heavy‑gauge metal tank and vessel manufacturing from power boilers and light‑gauge metal containers, and separates shop manufacturing from on‑site installation activities. ²

See also on G2X:

• G2X — NAICS 332420
• G2X — NAICS 332410
• G2X — NAICS 332439

What this NAICS covers

• Heavy‑gauge metal tank manufacturing for industrial and other applications by cutting, forming, and joining metal plate. ²
• Heavy‑gauge metal vessel manufacturing (e.g., large process vessels) distinct from power boilers. ²
• Heavy‑gauge metal container manufacturing that is not classified as light‑gauge can, box, or similar container production. ²
• Shop‑based fabrication of shells, heads, and related components integral to heavy‑gauge tanks and vessels: Not specified by official sources ²
• Production work performed as manufacturing, not on‑site installation or construction. ²

Related NAICS and PSC codes

Type	Code	Descriptor
NAICS	332410	Power Boiler and Heat Exchanger Manufacturing
NAICS	33243	Metal Can, Box, and Other Metal Container (Light Gauge) Manufacturing
NAICS	23	Construction (on‑site installation without manufacturing)
PSC	5430	Storage Tanks

Cross‑references and exclusions (official)

• Power boilers are classified in NAICS 332410; they are excluded from NAICS 332420. ²
• Light‑gauge metal containers (e.g., cans, boxes) are classified in NAICS 33243, not in NAICS 332420. ²
• Installing heavy‑gauge metal tanks without manufacturing is classified in NAICS Sector 23 (Construction). ²

NAICS 2022 vintage and Census implementation

• The Census Bureau began releasing data on the 2022 NAICS basis with the 2022 Economic Census First Look in 2024 and plans to transition most programs to the 2022 vintage by the end of calendar year 2027. ⁵

Frequently asked questions

• What activities are included under NAICS 332420?
  Establishments that cut, form, and join heavy‑gauge metal to produce tanks, vessels, and other heavy‑gauge containers are included. The classification is production‑oriented and focuses on shop manufacturing of these items. ²

• What activities are excluded from NAICS 332420?
  Manufacturing power boilers is classified under NAICS 332410; light‑gauge metal containers fall under NAICS 33243; and installing heavy‑gauge tanks without manufacturing is in NAICS Sector 23. ²

• How does NAICS 332420 differ from NAICS 332431 and 332439?
  NAICS 332420 covers heavy‑gauge tanks and vessels. NAICS 332431 (metal cans) and NAICS 332439 (other light‑gauge containers) address light‑gauge container manufacturing. ²

• Which PSCs commonly align with heavy‑gauge metal tank buys?
  PSC 5430 “Storage Tanks” is the standard product code for assembled and unassembled storage tanks and related enclosures; procurement may map to this PSC when acquiring heavy‑gauge storage tanks. ³

• What is the small business size standard for NAICS 332420?
  SBA assigns employee‑based size standards for manufacturing NAICS codes; confirm the current threshold for NAICS 332420 in SBA’s Table of Small Business Size Standards or the Size Standards Tool. ⁴

Useful resources

• G2X — NAICS 332420
• U.S. Census Bureau — NAICS 332420 industry description and cross‑references. ²
• U.S. Census Bureau — Implementation of the 2022 NAICS (timeline and program adoption). ⁵
• U.S. Small Business Administration — Table of Small Business Size Standards (manufacturing sector). ⁴

References

1. U.S. Census Bureau — “Classifying Businesses” (history of NAICS development and 1997 adoption). https://www.census.gov/about/history/historical-censuses-and-surveys/census-programs-surveys/economic/classifying-businesses.html
2. U.S. Census Bureau — NAICS Sector 31–33 details, including NAICS 332420 description and cross‑references. https://www.census.gov/naics/resources/archives/sect31-33.html
3. General Services Administration — Product and Service Code Manual (April 2025), PSC 5430 definition. https://login.acquisition.gov/psc-manual
4. U.S. Small Business Administration — Table of Small Business Size Standards (effective March 17, 2023). https://www.sba.gov/document/support--table-size-standards
5. U.S. Census Bureau — “The Census Bureau’s Implementation of the 2022 NAICS.” https://www.census.gov/library/reference/code-lists/naics/2022/implementation-timeline.html