NAICS 332996

Overview

Federal statistical programs classify establishments using the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS), a production‑oriented taxonomy created under the Office of Management and Budget and adopted in 1997 to replace SIC. The system is maintained jointly with Canada and Mexico for comparability; the current official vintage is 2022. ¹

NAICS 332996 covers establishments primarily engaged in fabricating metal pipes and pipe fittings from purchased metal pipe, including operations such as cutting, threading, and bending. Official cross‑references distinguish this activity from casting iron pipe and fittings, manufacturing welded or seamless steel pipe from purchased steel, and manufacturing pipe system fittings (except cast‑iron couplings). Examples include fabrication of threaded pipe sections, pipe bends, and couplings produced from purchased metal pipe stock. ²

What this NAICS covers

• Fabrication of metal pipes from purchased pipe stock by cutting to length. ²
• Threading of metal pipe to prepare joints and connections. ²
• Bending of metal pipe to specified radii or geometries. ²
• Fabrication of metal pipe fittings from purchased pipe (e.g., forming, machining). ²
• Fabrication of metal couplings from purchased metal pipe. ²
• Shop‑based (off‑site) pipe fabrication recognized as manufacturing, not construction‑site activity. ²

Related NAICS and PSC codes

Scope notes and official cross‑references

• Cast iron pipe and fittings are classified under NAICS 331511, not 332996. ²
• Welded and seamless steel pipes manufactured from purchased steel are classified under NAICS 331210. ²
• Pipe system fittings (except cast‑iron couplings) are classified under NAICS 332919. ²
• Manufacturing metal couplings from purchased metal pipe is classified under NAICS 332996. ²

Frequently asked questions

• What activities distinguish NAICS 332996 from other pipe‑related manufacturing codes?
  NAICS 332996 covers fabricating metal pipes and fittings from purchased pipe via cutting, threading, and bending. It excludes casting iron pipe and fittings and the production of welded or seamless pipe from purchased steel. ²

• How is NAICS 332996 different from NAICS 331210?
  NAICS 331210 applies when establishments manufacture welded or seamless steel pipe and tube from purchased steel. NAICS 332996 applies to fabricating finished pipes and fittings from already‑produced pipe. ²

• Does NAICS 332996 include plastics pipe or fittings?
  No. Plastics pipe and pipe fitting manufacturing is classified in NAICS 326122. NAICS 332996 pertains to metal pipe and fittings fabricated from purchased metal pipe. ²

• Are field (on‑site) pipe fabrication activities included in NAICS 332996?
  Manufacturing covers shop‑based transformation of materials into new products; fabrication performed at the construction site by contractors is classified in NAICS 23 (Construction), not in manufacturing. ²

• Where can official 2022 Economic Census data for NAICS 332996 be found?
  Manufacturing sector (31–33) tables for the 2022 Economic Census are published on census.gov and accessible via data.census.gov and FTP. Filter to NAICS 332996 within the Manufacturing (31–33) series. ³

Useful resources

• G2X — NAICS 332996
• Census NAICS introduction and search (shows 2022 NAICS and background). ¹
• Census NAICS 332996 industry description and cross‑references. ²
• 2022 Economic Census Manufacturing (Sector 31–33) data tables. ³
• Product and Service Code (PSC) Manual (official PSC definitions). ⁴

References

1. U.S. Census Bureau, North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) — Introduction and NAICS Search. https://www.census.gov/naics/?chart=2022
2. U.S. Census Bureau, NAICS Sector 31–33 — Manufacturing (includes 332996 definition and cross‑references). https://www.census.gov/naics/resources/archives/sect31-33.html
3. U.S. Census Bureau, 2022 Economic Census — Manufacturing (Sector 31–33) Data Tables. https://www.census.gov/data/tables/2022/econ/economic-census/naics-sector-31-33.html
4. Acquisition.gov, Product and Service Code (PSC) Manual. https://www.acquisition.gov/psc-manual