NAICS 332431

Overview

The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) is the federal standard for classifying business establishments to support consistent statistics on the U.S. economy. Established by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) and adopted in 1997 to replace SIC, NAICS was jointly developed by the U.S., Canada, and Mexico. The Census Bureau’s NAICS site provides the current taxonomy and search tools. ¹

332431 is the U.S. national industry for establishments primarily engaged in manufacturing metal cans, lids, and ends. It sits within Industry Group 33243 (Metal Can, Box, and Other Metal Container [Light Gauge] Manufacturing) under Subsector 332 (Fabricated Metal Product Manufacturing). Official cross-references distinguish cans from foil containers and other light-gauge metal containers that are not cans. ²

See also on G2X:

• G2X — NAICS 332431
• G2X — NAICS 332439
• G2X — NAICS 332420

What this NAICS covers

• Manufacturing of metal cans as finished containers. ²
• Production of metal can ends and lids (components of metal cans). ²
• Can-forming activities that are part of the light-gauge metal container industry group but result specifically in cans. ²
• Establishments whose primary output is metal cans rather than other light-gauge containers. ²
• Not specified by official sources: typical end-use markets or metals used (e.g., aluminum, steel). ²
• Not specified by official sources: two-piece versus three-piece can distinctions. ²

Related NAICS and PSC codes

Type	Code	Descriptor
NAICS	332439	Other Metal Container Manufacturing (light-gauge containers except cans) 2
NAICS	332420	Metal Tank (Heavy Gauge) Manufacturing (heavy-gauge containers) 2
NAICS	332999	All Other Miscellaneous Fabricated Metal Product Manufacturing (foil containers) 2
NAICS	811310	Commercial and Industrial Machinery and Equipment (except Automotive and Electronic) Repair and Maintenance (reconditioning barrels/drums) 2

Key exclusions (official cross-references)

• Foil container manufacturing is classified in 332999. ²
• Light-gauge metal containers other than cans (e.g., bins, boxes, drums) are in 332439. ²
• Heavy-gauge metal containers are covered by 332420. ²
• Reconditioning of barrels and drums is classified under 811310. ²

NAICS hierarchy and 2022 vintage

• Hierarchy: Sector 31–33 (Manufacturing) → Subsector 332 → Industry Group 33243 → U.S. Industry 332431. ³
• The 2022 Economic Census publishes data on a 2022 NAICS basis for Manufacturing (Sector 31–33). ⁴

Frequently asked questions

• What products are included in NAICS 332431?
  Metal cans, along with can ends and lids, manufactured from metal are included. The scope is defined by the products (cans and their ends/lids), not by specific end-use markets or metal types. ²

• How does 332431 differ from 332439?
  332431 covers metal cans and their ends/lids; 332439 covers other light-gauge metal containers except cans (e.g., bins, boxes, drums, mailboxes). ²

• Are foil containers part of this code?
  No. Foil container manufacturing is classified in 332999, not in 332431. ²

• Are heavy-gauge tanks or containers included?
  No. Heavy-gauge metal containers fall under 332420, not 332431. ²

• What NAICS vintage applies to current Economic Census data?
  The 2022 Economic Census uses the 2022 NAICS structure for tabulations in Manufacturing (Sector 31–33). The Census Bureau provides the landing page for these data products. ⁴

Useful resources

• G2X — NAICS 332431: https://app.g2xchange.com/naics/332431
• Census NAICS — Main site and search: https://www.census.gov/naics ¹
• 2022 NAICS Manual (definitions and cross-references): https://www.census.gov/naics/reference_files_tools/2022_NAICS_Manual.pdf ²
• 2022 Guidance — Understanding NAICS structure: https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/economic-census/year/2022/technical-documentation/code-lists/understanding-naics-redirect.html ³
• 2022 Economic Census — Manufacturing (Sector 31–33): https://www.census.gov/data/tables/2022/econ/economic-census/naics-sector-31-33.html ⁴

References

1. U.S. Census Bureau — North American Industry Classification System (NAICS): https://www.census.gov/naics
2. U.S. Census Bureau — 2022 NAICS Manual (PDF): https://www.census.gov/naics/reference_files_tools/2022_NAICS_Manual.pdf
3. U.S. Census Bureau — Understanding NAICS for 2022 Economic Census: https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/economic-census/year/2022/technical-documentation/code-lists/understanding-naics-redirect.html
4. U.S. Census Bureau — 2022 Economic Census, Manufacturing (Sector 31–33) tables: https://www.census.gov/data/tables/2022/econ/economic-census/naics-sector-31-33.html