Plastic Syringe
CN β US| HS Code | Tariff Rate | Origin | Destination | Doc |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9018310040 | 110.0% | CN | US | Official Doc |
| 9018310080 | 110.0% | CN | US | Official Doc |
| 3926902100 | 21.7% | CN | US | Official Doc |
| 3926909989 | 22.8% | CN | US | Official Doc |
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π©Έ Plastic Syringe (Medical Disposable Syringe)
π HS Code Reference & Customs Clearance Guide | 2026 Latest Tariff Breakdown | Professional Import Strategy
π One, Product Definition & Classification: Do You Really Know What a "Plastic Syringe" Is?
A plastic syringe is a single-use, medical-grade device used for injecting or withdrawing fluids in clinical and diagnostic settings. In international trade, it is classified based on material, intended use, and functional design β especially whether it's designed for subcutaneous injection or general medical use.
β οΈ Critical Distinction:
- If the syringe is specifically designed for subcutaneous injection, made of plastic, and fits the standard attributes of such devices β HS Code 9018.31.00.40 or 9018.31.00.80
- If it's a general-purpose plastic syringe, not intended for subcutaneous use, and falls under broader plastic product categories β HS Code 3926.90.21.00 or 3926.90.99.89
π¦ Two, HS Code Classification Details (2026 Latest Tariff Authority Match)
| HS Code | Product Description | Use Case | Material | Key Feature |
|---|---|---|---|---|
9018.31.00.40 |
Medical plastic syringe, designed for subcutaneous injection, made of plastic, fits standard subcutaneous syringe properties | Insulin delivery, vaccines, dermatological injections | Plastic | Specifically for subcutaneous use |
9018.31.00.80 |
Medical plastic syringe, intended for medical use, shape and function match syringe definition, material compatible with exclusion rules | General medical injection, lab use, diagnostic sampling | Plastic | Non-subcutaneous but medically functional |
3926.90.21.00 |
Plastic syringe, used as a syringe (not subcutaneous), conforms to classification interpretations | Industrial or non-specific medical use, bulk packaging | Plastic | Not classified under medical instruments |
3926.90.99.89 |
Finished plastic syringe, classified under "other plastic articles not elsewhere specified" | Generic plastic syringe, no specific medical function listed | Plastic | General plastic product, not medical-specific |
π Key Insight:
- 9018.31.00.40 & 9018.31.00.80 are medical device-specific and fall under Chapter 90 (Optical, Photo, Medical Instruments)
- 3926.90.21.00 & 3926.90.99.89 are general plastic products under Chapter 39 (Plastics & Articles Thereof) β lower tariff but higher risk of audit
π° Three, 2026 Latest Tariff Breakdown (With Detailed Duty Clauses)
β Applicable Country: United States (US)
β Origin: China (CN)
β Effective Date: November 10, 2025 (and onward)
π― 1. 9018.31.00.40 β Medical Plastic Syringe (Subcutaneous Use)
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Base Duty Rate | 0.0% (ad valorem) |
| Additional Duty (Section 301) | +100.0% (from USITC Section 301 List 3) |
| Section 122 Clause Duty | +10.0% (under Section 122 of the Trade Act) |
| Total Effective Duty | 110.0% |
| Tax Calculation | CIF Value Γ 110% |
| De Minimis Exemption? | β No (denied under US law) |
| Legal Basis Path | USITC:301-List3 β Section 122:9903.01.24 β HS:9018.31.00.40 β FOOTNOTE:9903.88.01 |
π Explanation:
- 100% Additional Duty: Imposed under Section 301 of the Trade Act β targeting Chinese-made medical devices deemed to have unfair trade practices.
- 10% Section 122 Duty: A separate national security-related tariff applied to products from China under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA).
- Total = 110% β extremely high, making this one of the most punitive tariffs in the medical supply chain.
π― 2. 9018.31.00.80 β Medical Plastic Syringe (General Medical Use)
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Base Duty Rate | 0.0% |
| Additional Duty (Section 301) | +100.0% |
| Section 122 Clause Duty | +10.0% |
| Total Effective Duty | 110.0% |
| Tax Calculation | CIF Γ 110% |
| De Minimis Exemption? | β No |
| Legal Basis Path | USITC:301-List3 β Section 122:9903.01.24 β HS:9018.31.00.80 β FOOTNOTE:9903.88.01 |
π Note:
- Even if the syringe is not subcutaneous, as long as it's medical-grade, plastic, and used in healthcare, it still triggers the 110% rate under Section 301 and Section 122.
- No distinction between subcutaneous and general medical use in this tariff regime.
π― 3. 3926.90.21.00 β Plastic Syringe (Non-Subcutaneous, General Use)
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Base Duty Rate | 4.2% |
| Additional Duty (Section 301) | +7.5% |
| Section 122 Clause Duty | +10.0% |
| Total Effective Duty | 21.7% |
| Tax Calculation | CIF Γ 21.7% |
| De Minimis Exemption? | β Yes (if value < $800) |
| Legal Basis Path | USITC:301-List3 β Section 122:9903.01.24 β HS:3926.90.21.00 β FOOTNOTE:9903.88.01 |
π Key Point:
- This code is not medical-specific β it's for plastic syringes not intended for medical use.
- Lower base duty, but still subject to 301 + 122.
- De Minimis applies β small shipments may avoid duty entirely.
π― 4. 3926.90.99.89 β Other Plastic Syringe (Unspecified Plastic Article)
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Base Duty Rate | 5.3% |
| Additional Duty (Section 301) | +7.5% |
| Section 122 Clause Duty | +10.0% |
| Total Effective Duty | 22.8% |
| Tax Calculation | CIF Γ 22.8% |
| De Minimis Exemption? | β Yes |
| Legal Basis Path | USITC:301-List3 β Section 122:9903.01.24 β HS:3926.90.99.89 β FOOTNOTE:9903.88.01 |
π Caution:
- This is the "catch-all" plastic product code β used when no other subheading fits.
- Higher base duty than 3926.90.21.00, but still lower than medical codes.
- Best for non-medical, bulk, or industrial syringes.
π οΈ Four, Customs Clearance Best Practices (Real-World Tips)
β 1. Documentation Checklist (Must-Have)
| Document | Required? | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| β Product Specifications | βοΈ | Must confirm material (plastic), intended use (medical or not) |
| β Medical Device Certification (e.g., FDA 510(k), CE, ISO 13485) | βοΈ | Proves medical use β triggers 9018.31.00.40/80 |
| β Product Photos (with label, packaging) | βοΈ | Shows design, size, markings, injection type |
| β Commercial Invoice | βοΈ | Must clearly state "Plastic Syringe, Medical Use" or "Non-Medical Plastic Syringe" |
| β Certificate of Origin (CO) | βοΈ | Critical for duty eligibility |
| β Packing List | βοΈ | Avoids splitη³ζ₯ (splitting into parts) |
β 2.η³ζ₯ Strategy (Pro Tips)
π₯ "Use Case Defines the Code β Not Just the Name!"
| Scenario | Correct HS Code | Wrong Code | Risk |
|---|---|---|---|
| Syringe used for insulin injection, plastic, subcutaneous | 9018.31.00.40 |
3926.90.21.00 |
110% vs 21.7% β 88.3% extra cost |
| Syringe used in lab, not for injection, plastic | 3926.90.21.00 |
9018.31.00.80 |
Wrong classification β audit & penalties |
| Syringe not for medical use, bulk, industrial | 3926.90.99.89 |
9018.31.00.80 |
Higher duty + risk of seizure |
β 3. Special Cases & Risk Mitigation
| Situation | Recommended Action |
|---|---|
| Syringe is medical but not subcutaneous (e.g., IV, lab) | Use 9018.31.00.80 β but confirm with customs |
| Syringe is plastic, no medical label, sold as lab tool | Use 3926.90.21.00 or 3926.90.99.89 β but avoid "medical" language |
| Small shipment (<$800) | Use 3926.90.21.00 or 3926.90.99.89 β de minimis applies |
| Syringe with needle attached | Still classified as syringe β do not split |
| Reused or non-sterile syringe | May be denied entry β declare as "non-medical" |
π Five, Global Customs Comparison (2026 Update)
| Country/Region | Recommended HS Code | Tariff | Certification Required | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| πΊπΈ United States | 9018.31.00.40/80 β 110% |
110% | FDA, CE, ISO 13485 | High risk, high cost |
| π¨π³ China | 9018.31.00.40 |
0% | CFDA, ISO 13485 | No extra tariffs |
| πͺπΊ European Union | 9018.31.00.40 |
0% (if CE) | CE Marking | No 301/122 tariffs |
| π¦πΊ Australia | 9018.31.00.40 |
0% | TGA, ISO 13485 | No 301 tariffs |
| π―π΅ Japan | 9018.31.00.40 |
0% | PMDA | No extra duties |
π Conclusion:
- The U.S. is the only market imposing 110% tariffs on medical plastic syringes from China.
- All other major markets treat them as standard medical devices with 0% or low tariffs.
π Six, Common Mistakes & How to Avoid Them (Real Cases)
β Mistake 1: Declaring a subcutaneous insulin syringe as 3926.90.21.00
π Result: 110% vs 21.7% β $100,000+ in underpaid duties β penalties + interest
β Mistake 2: Using 9018.31.00.80 for a lab syringe with no medical intent
π Result: Unnecessary 110% duty β not justified
β Mistake 3: Not providing medical certification for a medical syringe
π Result: Customs holds shipment, delays, possible rejection
β Mistake 4: Labeling a syringe as "medical" when itβs not sterile or not for injection
π Result: Misclassification, fines, product seizure
β Correct Way to Declare:
βPlastic Syringe, 1 mL, for Subcutaneous Injection, Sterile, Medical Use, FDA 510(k) Approved, Model XYZ, ISO 13485 Certifiedβ
π― Seven, Final Verdict: Precision Matters β Your Profit Depends on It!
π― Remember the Golden Rule:
πΉ "If itβs medical and plastic, itβs 110% in the U.S. β unless you prove itβs not medical!"
πΉ "If itβs not medical, use 3926.90 β and avoid the 9018 codes!"
π Pro Tip:
β Apply for an Advance Ruling (Pre-Review) with U.S. Customs before shipping β get a binding decision on HS Code and duty rate.
β Use a U.S.-based customs broker with experience in medical devices and Section 301/122 tariffs.
π£ Act Now!
π Contact a specialized customs broker + provide product photos + specs + certifications
π Avoid 110% tariffs, prevent delays, and protect your margins!
β¨ Smart Clearance Starts with Smart Classification!
πΌ One wrong code = Thousands in extra cost. One right code = Smooth, fast, profitable entry.
Customer Reviews
About HS Code Classification
The Harmonized System (HS) is an internationally standardized nomenclature developed by the World Customs Organization (WCO) to classify traded products. Over 200 countries use the HS system as the basis for customs tariffs, trade statistics, and import/export regulations.
Each HS code follows a hierarchical structure:
- Chapter (2 digits) β Broad category of goods (e.g., Chapter 84: Machinery and Mechanical Appliances)
- Heading (4 digits) β More specific grouping within the chapter
- Subheading (6 digits) β Internationally standardized breakdown, used by all WCO member countries
- National subdivisions (8-10 digits) β Country-specific extensions for further classification, such as US HTSUS 10-digit codes
Correct HS code classification is essential for smooth customs clearance, accurate duty payment, and compliance with trade regulations. Misclassification can lead to customs delays, overpayment of duties, or penalties.
When importing from CN to US, the applicable tariff rates may include:
- Most-Favored-Nation (MFN) rate β The standard duty rate applied to WTO members
- General rate β Applied to countries without trade agreements
- Trade remedy duties β Additional tariffs such as Section 301 (anti-dumping), Section 232 (national security), or countervailing duties
The information provided on this page is for reference purposes only. For official classification, please consult with your local customs authority or a licensed customs broker.