Find HS Code and trade information for shock absorbing foam

Shock Absorbing Foam

Shock absorbing foam refers to a class of materials designed to mitigate the impact of force or vibration. These foams are characterized by their ability to deform under stress and then recover, dissipating energy in the process.

Material

A diverse range of polymers can be used to create shock absorbing foam, each offering different properties. Common materials include:

• Polyurethane (PU): Versatile, offering a broad range of densities and firmnesses. Often used in cushioning, packaging, and automotive applications.
• Polyethylene (PE): Lightweight and cost-effective, frequently used in protective packaging and sports equipment. Cross-linked PE foams (XLPE) offer improved durability and resilience.
• Polystyrene (PS): Expanded polystyrene (EPS) is widely known as Styrofoam, providing excellent impact resistance but lower durability.
• Ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA): Flexible, rubbery foam often used in shoe insoles, athletic padding, and children’s toys.
• Polypropylene (PP): Offers good chemical resistance and is used in applications requiring durability, like automotive bumpers.
• Silicone: Resistant to extreme temperatures and weathering, used in specialized applications like medical devices and high-performance cushioning.

Purpose

The primary purpose of shock absorbing foam is to reduce the transmission of energy from an impact or vibration to a protected object. This protection can serve several functions:

• Damage Prevention: Preventing breakage or deformation of sensitive items during shipping, handling, or use.
• Comfort Enhancement: Providing cushioning and reducing pressure points in applications like seating, mattresses, and athletic gear.
• Noise Reduction: Dampening vibrations to minimize noise transmission.
• Safety: Protecting individuals from injury in applications like helmets, protective padding, and automotive safety components.

Function

Shock absorption is achieved through several mechanisms:

• Compression: The foam cells deform upon impact, increasing the impact duration and reducing the peak force.
• Energy Dissipation: The material absorbs energy through internal friction as the cells compress and recover. Higher density foams generally dissipate more energy.
• Resilience: The ability of the foam to return to its original shape after deformation. Higher resilience foams provide better cushioning and repeated impact protection.
• Vibration Damping: The foam structure absorbs and dissipates vibrational energy, reducing its amplitude.

Usage Scenarios

Shock absorbing foam is employed in a vast array of applications:

• Packaging: Protecting fragile goods during shipping (e.g., electronics, glassware, medical devices).
• Automotive: Seat cushions, headrests, bumpers, energy-absorbing components in crash protection systems.
• Sports & Recreation: Helmets, padding for athletic equipment (e.g., football pads, knee pads), shoe insoles.
• Medical: Positioning aids for patients, cushioning for prosthetics, protective packaging for medical devices.
• Construction: Soundproofing, vibration isolation in machinery.
• Furniture: Mattress toppers, seat cushions, upholstery padding.
• Electronics: Internal cushioning for devices, protective cases.

Common Types

• Closed-Cell Foam: Features cells that are not interconnected. Offers good water resistance, durability, and insulation. Commonly used in packaging and automotive applications.
• Open-Cell Foam: Features interconnected cells. Provides better cushioning and breathability. Commonly used in seating and mattresses.
• Memory Foam: A type of polyurethane foam that conforms to the shape of the body, providing personalized cushioning.
• Cross-Linked Foam: Chemically cross-linked polymer chains enhance durability, resilience, and resistance to compression set (permanent deformation).
• Polyether Foam: Flexible and cost-effective, used in packaging and cushioning.
• Polyester Foam: Durable and resistant to moisture, used in bedding and furniture.

Shock absorbing foam can fall under several classifications depending on its composition and specific application. Based on the provided information, the following HS codes are relevant:

• 3901901000: Polymers of ethylene, in primary forms: Other: Elastomeric. This code covers ethylene polymers in primary forms that are elastomeric, meaning they have rubber-like properties and can be used for shock absorption.

  • 39: Chapter 39 covers plastics and articles thereof.
  • 01: Heading 01 specifically refers to polymers of ethylene.
  • 90: Subheading 90 covers other polymers of ethylene.
  • 10: Further specifies elastomeric forms.

• 4005990000: Compounded rubber, unvulcanized, in primary forms or in plates, sheets or strip: Other: Other. If the shock absorbing foam is compounded rubber (a mixture of rubber and other materials) and is not yet vulcanized (not hardened through a chemical process), this code applies.

  • 40: Chapter 40 covers rubber and articles thereof.
  • 05: Heading 05 covers compounded rubber.
  • 99: Subheading 99 covers other compounded rubber.

• 3926904000: Other articles of plastics and articles of other materials of headings 3901 to 3914: Other: Imitation gemstones. While seemingly unrelated, if the foam is specifically manufactured to resemble gemstones for shock absorption purposes (e.g., in certain protective equipment), this code could be applicable.

  • 39: Chapter 39 covers plastics and articles thereof.
  • 26: Heading 26 covers articles of plastics and other materials.
  • 90: Subheading 90 covers other articles.
  • 40: Further specifies imitation gemstones.

It is important to note that the total tax rate for 3901901000, 4005990000 is 55.0%, including a base tariff of 0.0% and an additional tariff of 25.0%, which will increase to 30% after April 2, 2025. The total tax rate for 3926904000 is 32.8%, including a base tariff of 2.8% and an additional tariff of 0.0%, which will increase to 30% after April 2, 2025.