HS chapter 39 Plastics
Plastics and articles thereof
World trade trend
Reported world exports and imports of HS 39 per year, 2019 to 2024.
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| Year | Exports | Imports |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $571B | $591B |
| 2020 | $562B | $568B |
| 2021 | $732B | $743B |
| 2022 | $750B | $761B |
| 2023 | $664B | $659B |
| 2024 | $678B | $673B |
2025 is left out because not every country has published detailed data for that year yet.
Monthly trend
Monthly trade in HS 39 between the 28 major reporting economies and the rest of the world, Jan 2022 to Dec 2024. Good for direction and seasonality, not a full world total.
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| Month | Exports | Imports |
|---|---|---|
| Jan 2022 | $14.9B | $7.15B |
| Feb 2022 | $13.8B | $7.29B |
| Mar 2022 | $16.1B | $8.56B |
| Apr 2022 | $15.2B | $7.52B |
| May 2022 | $16.2B | $8.13B |
| Jun 2022 | $15.9B | $7.98B |
| Jul 2022 | $14.5B | $7.23B |
| Aug 2022 | $13.4B | $6.95B |
| Sep 2022 | $13.9B | $7.14B |
| Oct 2022 | $13.2B | $6.53B |
| Nov 2022 | $13.2B | $6.57B |
| Dec 2022 | $12B | $5.78B |
| Jan 2023 | $13.1B | $6.43B |
| Feb 2023 | $12.2B | $6.11B |
| Mar 2023 | $14.8B | $6.9B |
| Apr 2023 | $13.2B | $5.97B |
| May 2023 | $13.8B | $6.6B |
| Jun 2023 | $13.5B | $6.44B |
| Jul 2023 | $13.1B | $6.21B |
| Aug 2023 | $12.9B | $5.83B |
| Sep 2023 | $13.1B | $6.05B |
| Oct 2023 | $12.9B | $6.26B |
| Nov 2023 | $13.2B | $6.21B |
| Dec 2023 | $11.9B | $5.44B |
| Jan 2024 | $13.5B | $6.06B |
| Feb 2024 | $12.6B | $6.31B |
| Mar 2024 | $14.1B | $6.46B |
| Apr 2024 | $14.1B | $6.69B |
| May 2024 | $14.2B | $6.67B |
| Jun 2024 | $13.7B | $6.42B |
| Jul 2024 | $14.1B | $7.08B |
| Aug 2024 | $13.4B | $6.19B |
| Sep 2024 | $13.9B | $6.6B |
| Oct 2024 | $14.5B | $7.09B |
| Nov 2024 | $13.8B | $6.45B |
| Dec 2024 | $12.9B | $5.74B |
Top exporting and importing countries
Who sold and bought the most HS 39 in 2024, by reported value and share of the world total.
Top 10 exporters
- 1$141B20.8% of world
- 2$80.1B11.8% of world
- 3$62.8B9.3% of world
- 4$36.2B5.3% of world
- 5$26B3.8% of world
- 6$24.6B3.6% of world
- 7$23.3B3.4% of world
- 8$19.1B2.8% of world
- 9$18.6B2.7% of world
- 10$18B2.7% of world
Top 10 importers
India focus
What India traded in HS 39 in 2024, as reported by its trading partners.
India does not publish detailed six digit trade figures. These are mirror figures, built from what the 28 major economies reported about their trade with India, so treat them as a lower bound.
India's largest exports in this chapter
- 13921.90Plastics plates, sheets, film, foil and strip, other than cellular$438M
- 23926.90Plastics, other articles not elsewhere classified in chapter 39$356M
- 33920.62Plastics plates, sheets, film, foil and strip (not self-adhesive), of poly(ethylene terephthalate)…$293M
- 43920.20Plastics of polymers of propylene, plates, sheets, film, foil and strip (not self-adhesive), non-cellular…$262M
- 53923.21Sacks and bags (including cones), for the conveyance or packing of goods$202M
- 63907.29Polyethers other than polyacetals in primary forms$193M
- 73902.10Polypropylene$152M
- 83904.61Polytetrafluoroethylene$137M
Headings in chapter 39
Every four digit code under HS 39 with world exports in 2024.
- 3901Polymers of ethylene, in primary forms$77.9BImports $78.9B
- 3902Polymers of propylene or of other olefins, in primary forms$40.6BImports $43B
- 3903Polymers of styrene, in primary forms$14.6BImports $19.2B
- 3904Polymers of vinyl chloride or of other halogenated olefins, in primary forms$18.8BImports $19.1B
- 3905Polymers of vinyl acetate or of other vinyl esters, in primary forms, other vinyl polymers in primary forms$5.27BImports $6.41B
- 3906Acrylic polymers in primary forms$15.1BImports $17.7B
- 3907Polyacetals, other polyethers and epoxide resins, in primary forms, polycarbonates, alkyd resins, polyallyl esters and other polyesters, in primary…$58.9BImports $61.1B
- 3908Polyamides in primary forms$14.2BImports $14.6B
- 3909Amino-resins, phenolic resins and polyurethanes, in primary forms$19.2BImports $18.4B
- 3910Silicones in primary forms$6.44BImports $7.91B
- 3911Petroleum resins, coumarone-indene resins, polyterpenes, polysulphides, polysulphones and other products specified in note 3 to this chapter…$6.97BImports $6.95B
- 3912Cellulose and its chemical derivatives, not elsewhere specified or included, in primary forms$6.55BImports $6.36B
- 3913Natural polymers (for example, alginic acid) and modified natural polymers (for example, hardened proteins, chemical derivatives of natural rubber)…$3.47BImports $3.44B
- 3914Ion-exchangers, based on polymers of heading 3901 to 3913, in primary forms$2.19BImports $2.16B
- 3915Waste, parings and scrap, of plastics$2.89BImports $2.7B
- 3916Monofilament of which any cross-sectional dimension exceeds 1 mm, rods, sticks and profile shapes, whether or not surface-worked but not otherwise…$7.45BImports $6.78B
- 3917Tubes, pipes and hoses, and fittings therefor (for example, joints, elbows, flanges), of plastics$32.5BImports $30.9B
- 3918Floor coverings of plastics, whether or not self-adhesive, in rolls or in the form of tiles, wall or ceiling coverings of plastics, as defined…$13.9BImports $12.4B
- 3919Self-adhesive plates, sheets, film, foil, tape, strip and other flat shapes, of plastics, whether or not in rolls$26.4BImports $25.3B
- 3920Other plates, sheets, film, foil and strip, of plastics, non-cellular and not reinforced, laminated, supported or similarly combined…$63.4BImports $61B
- 3921Other plates, sheets, film, foil and strip, of plastics$31BImports $29.9B
- 3922Baths, shower-baths, sinks, washbasins, bidets, lavatory pans, seats and covers, flushing cisterns and similar sanitary ware, of plastics$5.13BImports $4.98B
- 3923Articles for the conveyance or packing of goods, of plastics, stoppers, lids, caps and other closures, of plastics$65.5BImports $61.4B
- 3924Tableware, kitchenware, other household articles and hygienic or toilet articles, of plastics$25.7BImports $24.2B
- 3925Builders' ware of plastics, not elsewhere specified or included$17BImports $15.2B
- 3926Other articles of plastics and articles of other materials of headings 3901 to 3914$96.7BImports $92.8B
Questions about HS 39
Quick answers based on the classification and the trade figures above.
What is HS code 39?
HS code 39 is a chapter of the Harmonized System that covers plastics and articles thereof. It is split into 26 more detailed four digit headings.
How much is traded worldwide under HS code 39?
In 2024, countries reported exports worth $678B and imports worth $673B under HS code 39. Reported exports changed by +2.1% compared with 2023. These are trade statistics in US dollars, not prices.
Which countries export the most under HS code 39?
The largest exporters in 2024 were China (20.8% of world exports), United States (11.8% of world exports) and Germany (9.3% of world exports).
Which countries import the most under HS code 39?
The largest importers in 2024 were United States (11.6% of world imports), China (9.1% of world imports) and Germany (6.5% of world imports).
Does India export or import goods under HS code 39?
Yes. Based on what the major economies reported about their trade with India, India exported at least $4.92B and imported at least $17.5B under HS code 39 in 2024.
Is the HS code the same in every country?
The first six digits are shared by every country that uses the Harmonized System. Countries add their own digits after that, for example India uses eight digit ITC-HS codes and the United States uses ten digit HTS codes, so check the national tariff for the full code and the duty rate.