HS Code | Official Doc | Tariff Rate | Origin | Destination | Effective Date |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
3923300090 | Doc | 58.0% | CN | US | 2025-05-12 |
3923900080 | Doc | 58.0% | CN | US | 2025-05-12 |
3924104000 | Doc | 33.4% | CN | US | 2025-05-12 |
3924102000 | Doc | 44.0% | CN | US | 2025-05-12 |
6305900000 | Doc | 43.7% | CN | US | 2025-05-12 |
6305390000 | Doc | 45.9% | CN | US | 2025-05-12 |
Plastic Lunch Box
A plastic lunch box is a portable container used to pack and carry lunches, snacks, or food portions. It is typically constructed from various types of plastic, offering a lightweight and reusable alternative to disposable containers.
Material
Plastic lunch boxes are commonly made from the following materials:
- Polypropylene (PP): A durable, heat-resistant plastic often used for microwaveable containers. Generally considered food-safe.
- Polystyrene (PS): Lightweight and inexpensive, but less durable and not typically microwave-safe. Often used for single-use or disposable lunch boxes.
- Polyethylene (PE): Flexible and impact-resistant. Commonly used for sandwich bags or as a liner within more rigid lunch boxes.
- Tritan: A BPA-free plastic known for its clarity, durability, and resistance to odors and stains. Increasingly popular for reusable containers.
- BPA-Free Plastics: Many modern lunch boxes are specifically manufactured without Bisphenol A (BPA), a chemical previously used in some plastics, due to health concerns.
Purpose
The primary purpose of a plastic lunch box is to:
- Food Transport: Securely carry food from one location to another (e.g., home to school, work, or picnics).
- Food Storage: Keep food fresh and prevent spills or contamination.
- Portion Control: Facilitate packing appropriate meal sizes.
- Reusability: Provide an environmentally friendly alternative to single-use containers.
Function
Plastic lunch boxes function by:
- Containment: A lid or closure system prevents food from spilling during transport. Closure types include snap-lock lids, screw-on lids, and hinged lids with clasps.
- Protection: The plastic material shields food from physical damage and external elements.
- Temperature Retention (Limited): While not typically insulated, some lunch boxes offer some degree of temperature retention. Insulated versions are available (see Common Types).
- Ease of Cleaning: Most plastic lunch boxes are dishwasher safe, simplifying maintenance.
Usage Scenarios
Plastic lunch boxes are used in a wide range of scenarios, including:
- School Lunches: Packing meals for students.
- Work Lunches: Transporting meals to the workplace.
- Picnics and Outdoor Activities: Carrying food for outdoor gatherings.
- Travel: Packing snacks and meals for journeys.
- Food Prep: Storing pre-portioned meals.
Common Types
- Basic Snap-Lock Boxes: Simple, affordable containers with a snap-on lid.
- Hinged Lid Boxes: Containers with a lid attached by a hinge, often with clasps for secure closure.
- Compartmentalized Boxes (Bento Boxes): Boxes with separate compartments to keep different foods from mixing. Popular for portion control and balanced meals.
- Insulated Lunch Boxes: Feature insulation to maintain food temperature for extended periods. Often used with ice packs.
- Stackable Lunch Boxes: Designed to be stacked for efficient storage.
- Reusable Sandwich Containers: Specifically designed for sandwiches, often with a rigid construction to prevent crushing.
- Leak-Proof Lunch Boxes: Feature a tight seal to prevent liquids from spilling. Often used for soups or sauces.
- Children's Lunch Boxes: Often feature colorful designs and child-friendly closures.
Plastic lunch boxes fall under articles made of plastics, typically used for the conveyance or packing of goods, or as household articles. Here are the relevant HS codes based on the provided information:
- 3923300090: This HS code covers articles for the conveyance or packing of goods, of plastics; stoppers, lids, caps and other closures, of plastics: Carboys, bottles, flasks and similar articles Other. While not specifically lunch boxes, this code could apply if the lunch box is bottle-shaped or similar. The total tax rate is 58.0%, comprised of a 3.0% base tariff and a 25.0% additional tariff, increasing to 30.0% after April 2, 2025.
- 3923900080: This HS code covers articles for the conveyance or packing of goods, of plastics; stoppers, lids, caps and other closures, of plastics: Other Other. This is a broader category and more likely to apply to standard plastic lunch boxes not fitting the 'carboy, bottle, flask' description. The total tax rate is also 58.0%, with the same tariff structure as 3923300090.
- 3924104000: This HS code covers tableware, kitchenware, other household articles and hygienic or toilet articles, of plastics: Tableware and kitchenware: Other. If the lunch box is considered kitchenware, this code is applicable. The total tax rate is 33.4%, consisting of a 3.4% base tariff and a 0.0% additional tariff, increasing to 30.0% after April 2, 2025.
It is important to determine the primary function of the plastic lunch box to select the most accurate HS code. If it's primarily for packing goods, 3923300090 or 3923900080 would be more suitable. If it's specifically used as kitchenware, 3924104000 is the appropriate choice.