thermoplastic resin raw material
CN β US| HS Code | Tariff Rate | Origin | Destination | Doc |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3902100000 | 41.5% | CN | US | Official Doc |
| 3901101000 | 41.5% | CN | US | Official Doc |
| 3902900050 | 41.5% | CN | US | Official Doc |
| 3904100000 | 41.5% | CN | US | Official Doc |
| 3904210000 | 41.5% | CN | US | Official Doc |
AI Analysis
π§ͺ Thermoplastic Resin Raw Material
π HS Code Reference & Customs Clearance Guide | 2026 Latest Tariff Analysis | Professional Entry Strategy
π I. Product Definition & Classification: What Exactly is "Thermoplastic Resin" in Trade?
Thermoplastic Resin Raw Materials are the foundational building blocks of the global plastics industry. In international trade, these materials are generally classified under Chapter 39 (Plastics and Articles Thereof), specifically under heading 3901β3914.
The critical distinction lies in the chemical structure (polymer type) and physical state (primary form):
- Olefin Polymers (Polyethylene/Polypropylene):
- HDPE/LDPE/LLDPE β Typically 3901.10 or 3901.20.
- Polypropylene (PP) β Typically 3902.10.
- Vinyl Polymers (PVC, etc.):
- Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) β Typically 3904.10.
- Other Thermoplastics (FALLBACK/Residual):
- Polymers not explicitly listed in 3901β3903 (e.g., certain acrylics, ABS, or proprietary blends) β Typically 3904.90 or 3902.90.
β οΈ Key Classification Criteria:
- Primary Form: Must be in raw granules, powders, flakes, or liquid form (not yet molded into final shapes).
- Chemical Nature: Must be a polymer. If it is a "copolymer" or "mixture," the base polymer determines the heading.
- Conflict Check: Ensure no other specific heading (e.g., for pre-formed parts) applies. If uncertain, the "fallback" principle applies to 3904.21.00.00 (if PVC-based) or 3904.10.00.00 (if other vinyl).
π¦ II. HS Code Classification Details (Based on Provided Data)
Based on the provided <DATA>, here are the 5 specific HS Codes matched to "Thermoplastic Resin Raw Material," along with the logic for each:
| HS Code | Product Description | Classification Logic | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
3902.10.00.00 |
Polypropylene (PP) | The resin is identified as an olefin polymer (specifically Polypropylene). This is the primary heading for PP in primary form. | "Thermoplastic raw material belongs to olefin polymer primary form." |
3901.10.10.00 |
Polyethylene (PE) | The resin is identified as an olefin polymer (specifically Polyethylene). If it is not explicitly PE, this code may be used as a fallback based on general polymer principles if it fits the olefin category. | "Plastic raw material belongs to primary form polymers; matched via fallback principle." |
3902.90.00.50 |
Other Olefin Polymers | Used for thermoplastic olefins that are not Polypropylene (3902.10) or Polyethylene (3901.xx). It confirms no material conflict with the olefin classification. | "Thermoplastic belongs to olefin polymer primary form, no material conflict." |
3904.10.00.00 |
Other Vinyl Polymers | Used for thermoplastic raw materials that fit the general description of polymers but do not fall under 3901β3903. It emphasizes the primary form characteristic with no material conflict. | "Thermoplastic raw material conforms to polymer primary form characteristics, no material conflict." |
3904.21.00.00 |
Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) | Specifically for PVC or other halogenated olefin polymers. It confirms the raw material meets primary form requirements within the PVC category. | "Thermoplastic conforms to PVC or other halogenated olefin polymer category, raw material meets primary form requirements." |
π Critical Insight:
- All 5 codes share the same total tax rate of 41.5% (see below).
- The choice depends on lab analysis results (chemical composition).
- 3901/3902 covers Olefins (PE/PP).
- 3904 covers Vinyl/Halogenated polymers (PVC, etc.).
- If the resin is not PE, PP, or PVC, it likely falls under 3904.10.00.00 (Other) or 3902.90.00.50 (Other Olefins) depending on the specific polymer type.
π° III. 2026 Latest Tariff Rate Breakdown (Including Surcharges)
β Applicable Country: United States (US)
β Country of Origin: China (CN)
β Effective Date: From November 10, 2025 (and subsequent imports)
β Total Tax Rate: 41.5% for all listed HS Codes
π― 1. Unified Tariff Structure for All Thermoplastic Codes
| Item | Detail | Value |
|---|---|---|
| Base MFN Rate | Most Favored Nation (MFN) Duty | 6.5% |
| Section 301 Duty (25%) | Additional Tariff on Chinese Goods | 25.0% |
| Section 122 Duty (10%) | Additional Tariff (Specific Clause 122) | 10.0% |
| Total Effective Rate | Sum of all applicable duties | 41.5% |
| De Minimis Exemption | β DENIED | These goods are not eligible for the $800 de minimis exemption (Section 321). |
| Legal Basis Path | USITC:3902.10.00.00 β FOOTNOTE:301 β IEEPA:122 |
Full path applies to all codes. |
π Explanation:
- 6.5%: Standard MFN duty for plastics.
- 25.0%: Imposed under Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974, targeting Chinese manufacturing.
- 10.0%: Imposed under Section 122 (often related to specific trade remedy or national security provisions).
- Total 41.5%: This is a high barrier to entry. For a $10,000 shipment, the duty alone is $4,150.
π οΈ IV. Customs Clearance Practical Advice (Pitfall Avoidance)
β 1. Essential Documentation Checklist
| Document | Required? | Description |
|---|---|---|
| β Certificate of Origin (CO) | βοΈ | Must clearly state "Made in China" to trigger the 301/122 duties. If misdeclared as "Made in Vietnam," it may be flagged for fraud. |
| β MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheet) | βοΈ | Required to classify as "raw material" vs. "hazardous chemical." |
| β Lab Analysis Report | βοΈ | Critical! Proves the polymer type (PE, PP, PVC, etc.). Without this, Customs may classify under a higher-duty or restricted code. |
| β Commercial Invoice | βοΈ | Must specify: "Thermoplastic Resin, Primary Form, [Chemical Name]." |
| β Packing List | βοΈ | Must match invoice quantities. |
β 2. Declaration Tips (Golden Rules)
π₯ βIdentify the Polymer, Declare the Form, Avoid the 41.5% Shock!β
| Scenario | Correct Declaration | Risk if Wrong |
|---|---|---|
| Polypropylene (PP) Granules | HS 3902.10.00.00Description: "PP Resin, Primary Form" |
Misclassifying as "Plastic Parts" may lead to penalties or higher scrutiny. |
| PVC Powder/Granules | HS 3904.21.00.00Description: "PVC Resin, Primary Form" |
Misclassifying as "Other Plastics" may delay inspection. |
| Unknown/Blended Resin | HS 3904.10.00.00Description: "Other Thermoplastic Resin, Primary Form" |
If later proven to be PVC, back-duties + penalties apply. |
| Pre-molded Parts | β Do Not Use these codes | These codes are for raw materials. Parts belong to Chapter 3903β3926 with different duties. |
β 3. Special Handling
| Situation | Recommendation |
|---|---|
| OEM Custom Resin | Provide Formula Sheet and Customer Agreement. Ensure the base polymer is identified. |
| Recycled Pellets | Still classified under Chapter 39, but may require additional environmental certifications (e.g., EPA compliance). |
| Colorants/Additives | If resin is pre-colored, still classified as 3901β3904 if the base polymer dominates. |
| De Minimis Risk | β Do NOT ship via postal/courier under $800 to bypass duties. Section 301/122 duties apply regardless of value for Chinese-origin goods. |
π V. Global Market Comparison (2026)
| Country/Region | Recommended HS Code | Total Duty (China Origin) | Key Certifications | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| πΊπΈ USA | 3901.xx / 3902.xx / 3904.xx |
41.5% | None specific to resin | Highest duty. No de minimis exemption. |
| π¨π³ China | 3901.10.10.00 (Import) |
6.5% β 8% | CCC (if applicable) | Lower duty than US. |
| πͺπΊ EU | 3901.10.90 (PE) / 3902.10.90 (PP) |
6.5% | REACH Registration | REACH compliance is mandatory. No Section 301/122. |
| π¬π§ UK | 3901.10.90 |
6.5% | UKCA (if finished goods) | Post-Brexit rules apply. |
| π―π΅ Japan | 3901.10.090 (PE) |
4.5% | JIS Standards | Moderate duty. |
| π»π³ Vietnam | 3901.10.10 |
0% β 4% | None | Supply Chain Shift: Many manufacturers move here to avoid 41.5% US duty. |
π Conclusion:
- USA is the most expensive market for Chinese thermoplastic resins due to 41.5% total duty.
- EU and Japan have standard MFN rates (~6.5% or less).
- Vietnam/Malaysia offer duty-free or low-duty alternatives for the US market if substantial transformation occurs.
π VI. Common Mistakes & Pitfalls (Lessons Learned)
β Mistake 1: Declaring "Plastic Granules" without specifying the Polymer Type.
π Consequence: Customs will classify under the highest possible duty or hold the shipment for inspection.
β
Fix: Always specify "PP," "PE," "PVC," etc.
β Mistake 2: Shipping Pre-molded Parts (e.g., plastic cups) under Raw Material Codes (3901β3904).
π Consequence: Misclassification, seizure, or penalties. Parts belong to 3924β3926.
β
Fix: Correctly classify finished articles under Chapter 39 Part III.
β Mistake 3: Assuming De Minimis ($800) exemption applies to small samples.
π Consequence: Seizure of goods. Section 301/122 duties do not apply to de minimis.
β
Fix: Pay the 41.5% duty even for small shipments.
β Mistake 4: Ignoring REACH (for EU) or TSCA (for US) chemical compliance.
π Consequence: Goods returned or destroyed if not registered.
β
Fix: Ensure supplier provides TSCA (US) or REACH (EU) compliance certificates.
π― VII. Conclusion: Precision in Classification Saves Money!
π― Remember the Rules:
πΉ "Olefin? PP/PE? β 3901/3902"
πΉ "Vinyl? PVC? β 3904.21"
πΉ "Unknown? β 3904.10 (Fallback)"
πΉ "USA Duty? 41.5% β No Escape!"
πΉ "De Minimis? NO! Donβt Risk It!"
π Pro Tip:
If you are importing into the USA, consider:
1. Supplier Shift: Source from Vietnam, Thailand, or Mexico to avoid Section 301/122 duties.
2. Advance Ruling: Request a Binding Ruling from US Customs (CBP) to confirm the HS Code.
3. Bonded Warehouse: Use a Foreign Trade Zone (FTZ) to defer duty payment until sale.
π£ Immediate Action:
π Consult a Customs Broker with polymer expertise.
π Provide Lab Analysis for accurate HS Code assignment.
π¦ Calculate Landed Cost including 41.5% duty to ensure profitability.
β¨ Professional Customs Clearance Starts with Precise Classification!
πΌ Your Cost, Every Cent Counted!
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.