Chapter 39 covers plastics and articles thereof, including polymers in primary forms, synthetic rubber, semi-finished and finished products. Primary forms refer to original forms such as liquid, paste, block, powder, etc. This chapter subdivides tariff headings by polymer type, such as polyethylene, polypropylene, etc. Heading 3902 covers polymers of olefins in primary forms, including polypropylene, polyisobutylene, propylene copolymers, etc. However, 3902 only applies to olefin polymers not elsewhere specified; if they are specific copolymers or already named elsewhere, they are classified under other headings. First 2 digits 39: indicates Chapter 39, plastics and articles thereof. Digits 3-4, 02: indicates heading 3902, i.e., polymers of olefins in primary forms. Digits 5-6, 90: indicates subheading 3902.90, i.e., other polymers of olefins in primary forms, referring to olefin polymers other than those specifically named such as polypropylene, polyisobutylene, etc. The goods are olefin polymers and are not specifically named in 3902.10 to 3902.30, therefore they are classified under 3902.90. If they were ethylene polymers, they would be classified under 3901; if styrene polymers, under 3903; if vinyl chloride polymers, under 3904.
Chapter
Chapter 39 covers plastics and articles thereof, including polymers in primary forms, synthetic rubber, semi-finished and finished products. Primary forms refer to original forms such as liquid, paste, block, powder, etc. This chapter subdivides tariff headings by polymer type, such as polyethylene, polypropylene, etc.
Heading
Heading 3902 covers polymers of olefins in primary forms, including polypropylene, polyisobutylene, propylene copolymers, etc. However, 3902 only applies to olefin polymers not elsewhere specified; if they are specific copolymers or already named elsewhere, they are classified under other headings.
Digit Breakdown
First 2 digits 39: indicates Chapter 39, plastics and articles thereof. Digits 3-4, 02: indicates heading 3902, i.e., polymers of olefins in primary forms. Digits 5-6, 90: indicates subheading 3902.90, i.e., other polymers of olefins in primary forms, referring to olefin polymers other than those specifically named such as polypropylene, polyisobutylene, etc.
Classification Basis
The goods are olefin polymers and are not specifically named in 3902.10 to 3902.30, therefore they are classified under 3902.90. If they were ethylene polymers, they would be classified under 3901; if styrene polymers, under 3903; if vinyl chloride polymers, under 3904.
📝 Declaration Elements
Product Name: Fill in the standard name of the commodity, such as "other olefin polymers in primary forms". Appearance: Describe the physical form of the primary form, such as liquid, paste, block, powder, etc. Composition and Content: Indicate the types and percentage content of polymer monomer units, such as "propylene 95%, ethylene 5%". Types and Proportions of Monomer Units: List in detail all monomer units and their molar ratios or weight ratios. Brand: Fill in the brand name of the manufacturer or trader; if no brand, write "none". Model: Fill in the specification and model of the product, such as "XXX-123". Use: Explain the main use of the polymer, such as "used for producing films, injection-molded products, etc.". Contract Date: Fill in the signing date of the trade contract or order in YYYY-MM-DD format. Product Name: Other olefin polymers in primary forms; Appearance: white granules; Composition and Content: propylene 90%, ethylene 10%; Monomer Units: propylene 90%, ethylene 10%; Brand: none; Model: PP-123; Use: for injection molding; Contract Date: 2025-01-15. Mistakenly classifying polypropylene homopolymer under 3902.90, when it should actually be under 3902.10. Failure to provide monomer unit proportions, making it impossible to determine whether it belongs to 3902.30 propylene copolymers. Mistakenly classifying ethylene-propylene copolymers under 3901, when they should actually be under 3902 if ethylene content is less than 95%.
Product Name
Fill in the standard name of the commodity, such as "other olefin polymers in primary forms".
⚠️ Mistakenly writing specific names such as "polypropylene", leading to incorrect classification.
Appearance
Describe the physical form of the primary form, such as liquid, paste, block, powder, etc.
⚠️ Only writing "solid" or "granule" without specifying the exact form.
Composition and Content
Indicate the types and percentage content of polymer monomer units, such as "propylene 95%, ethylene 5%".
⚠️ Only writing "olefin polymer" without listing specific monomers and proportions.
Types and Proportions of Monomer Units
List in detail all monomer units and their molar ratios or weight ratios.
⚠️ Omitting minor monomers, making it impossible to determine whether it belongs to other subheadings.
Brand
Fill in the brand name of the manufacturer or trader; if no brand, write "none".
⚠️ Confusing brand with manufacturer, or filling in incompletely.
Model
Fill in the specification and model of the product, such as "XXX-123".
⚠️ Confusing model with grade, or filling in unclearly.
Use
Explain the main use of the polymer, such as "used for producing films, injection-molded products, etc.".
⚠️ Use description is too general, such as "industrial use".
Contract Date
Fill in the signing date of the trade contract or order in YYYY-MM-DD format.
⚠️ Incorrect date format or inconsistent with the actual date.
Example： Product Name: Other olefin polymers in primary forms; Appearance: white granules; Composition and Content: propylene 90%, ethylene 10%; Monomer Units: propylene 90%, ethylene 10%; Brand: none; Model: PP-123; Use: for injection molding; Contract Date: 2025-01-15.
Common Mistakes：
Mistakenly classifying polypropylene homopolymer under 3902.90, when it should actually be under 3902.10.
Failure to provide monomer unit proportions, making it impossible to determine whether it belongs to 3902.30 propylene copolymers.
Mistakenly classifying ethylene-propylene copolymers under 3901, when they should actually be under 3902 if ethylene content is less than 95%.
🎯 Classification Logic
Classification basis: First confirm that the goods are in primary forms, then confirm that they are olefin polymers and are not specifically named in 3902.10 to 3902.30. If polypropylene, classify under 3902.10; if polyisobutylene, under 3902.20; if propylene copolymers, under 3902.30; other olefin polymers under 3902.90. 3901 Polymers of ethylene in primary forms: 3901 applies to ethylene polymers, such as polyethylene; 3902 applies to other olefin polymers, such as polypropylene. If ethylene content exceeds 95%, classify under 3901. 3902.10 Polypropylene: 3902.10 refers only to polypropylene homopolymers, while 3902.90 refers to other olefin polymers, such as copolymers of propylene with a small amount of other monomers but not meeting the 3902.30 standard. 3902.30 Propylene copolymers: 3902.30 refers to propylene copolymers in which propylene monomer units account for the major proportion; if other olefin monomers account for the major proportion, classify under 3902.90. 3903 Polymers of styrene in primary forms: 3903 applies to styrene polymers, such as polystyrene; if the polymer is a copolymer of olefins and styrene, classify according to the predominant monomer. 3904 Polymers of vinyl chloride in primary forms: 3904 applies to vinyl chloride polymers, such as polyvinyl chloride; if it is a copolymer of olefins and vinyl chloride, classify according to the predominant monomer. Is it in primary forms? Is it an olefin polymer? Is it not named in 3902.10-3902.30? Are the types and proportions of monomer units clear? Is it confused with polymers such as ethylene or styrene?
Basis
Classification basis: First confirm that the goods are in primary forms, then confirm that they are olefin polymers and are not specifically named in 3902.10 to 3902.30. If polypropylene, classify under 3902.10; if polyisobutylene, under 3902.20; if propylene copolymers, under 3902.30; other olefin polymers under 3902.90.
Confused Codes：
3901 - Polymers of ethylene in primary forms
3901 applies to ethylene polymers, such as polyethylene; 3902 applies to other olefin polymers, such as polypropylene. If ethylene content exceeds 95%, classify under 3901.
3902.10 - Polypropylene
3902.10 refers only to polypropylene homopolymers, while 3902.90 refers to other olefin polymers, such as copolymers of propylene with a small amount of other monomers but not meeting the 3902.30 standard.
3902.30 - Propylene copolymers
3902.30 refers to propylene copolymers in which propylene monomer units account for the major proportion; if other olefin monomers account for the major proportion, classify under 3902.90.
3903 - Polymers of styrene in primary forms
3903 applies to styrene polymers, such as polystyrene; if the polymer is a copolymer of olefins and styrene, classify according to the predominant monomer.
3904 - Polymers of vinyl chloride in primary forms
3904 applies to vinyl chloride polymers, such as polyvinyl chloride; if it is a copolymer of olefins and vinyl chloride, classify according to the predominant monomer.
Self-Check：
✓ Is it in primary forms?
✓ Is it an olefin polymer?
✓ Is it not named in 3902.10-3902.30?
✓ Are the types and proportions of monomer units clear?
✓ Is it confused with polymers such as ethylene or styrene?
❓ FAQ
How to determine whether an olefin polymer is classified under 3902.90? First confirm that the goods are in primary forms and are olefin polymers. Then check whether they belong to polypropylene (3902.10), polyisobutylene (3902.20), or propylene copolymers (3902.30). If none apply, classify under 3902.90. What is the difference between 3902.90 and 3901.90? 3901.90 is other ethylene polymers, referring to polymers in which ethylene monomer units account for more than 95%; 3902.90 is other olefin polymers, referring to olefin polymers other than those specifically named such as ethylene and propylene. The key difference lies in the type of predominant monomer unit. What key information is required when declaring 3902.90? Product name, appearance, composition and content, types and proportions of monomer units, brand, model, use, and contract date are required. Among these, the proportion of monomer units is key to determining classification. If the polymer contains a small amount of other monomers, does it affect classification? Yes. If the content of other monomers is low, it may still be classified according to the predominant monomer; if the content is high, it may change the determination of the predominant monomer, thereby affecting the subheading. It must be determined based on the specific proportions. How to check the tax rate for 3902.90? Tax rates change with national policies. It is recommended to check the latest tax rate through the official website of the General Administration of Customs or the International Trade Single Window. You may also consult a professional customs broker. For cross-border e-commerce sales of olefin polymer products, is declaration under 3902.90 required? If what is sold is polymers in primary forms, declaration under 3902.90 is required; if it is finished products, declare under the corresponding finished product code. It must be determined based on the state of the goods. What are the common errors during declaration? Common errors include: mistakenly classifying polypropylene under 3902.90, failing to provide monomer proportions, unclear appearance description, incorrect brand and model entry, etc. It is recommended to carefully verify the classification basis. How to avoid classification errors? It is recommended to refer to official materials such as the "Import and Export Tariff Commodity and Heading Notes" and "Customs Classification Pre-rulings", or use customs classification query tools. If necessary, apply for pre-classification.
Q: How to determine whether an olefin polymer is classified under 3902.90?
A: First confirm that the goods are in primary forms and are olefin polymers. Then check whether they belong to polypropylene (3902.10), polyisobutylene (3902.20), or propylene copolymers (3902.30). If none apply, classify under 3902.90.
Q: What is the difference between 3902.90 and 3901.90?
A: 3901.90 is other ethylene polymers, referring to polymers in which ethylene monomer units account for more than 95%; 3902.90 is other olefin polymers, referring to olefin polymers other than those specifically named such as ethylene and propylene. The key difference lies in the type of predominant monomer unit.
Q: What key information is required when declaring 3902.90?
A: Product name, appearance, composition and content, types and proportions of monomer units, brand, model, use, and contract date are required. Among these, the proportion of monomer units is key to determining classification.
Q: If the polymer contains a small amount of other monomers, does it affect classification?
A: Yes. If the content of other monomers is low, it may still be classified according to the predominant monomer; if the content is high, it may change the determination of the predominant monomer, thereby affecting the subheading. It must be determined based on the specific proportions.
Q: How to check the tax rate for 3902.90?
A: Tax rates change with national policies. It is recommended to check the latest tax rate through the official website of the General Administration of Customs or the International Trade Single Window. You may also consult a professional customs broker.
Q: For cross-border e-commerce sales of olefin polymer products, is declaration under 3902.90 required?
A: If what is sold is polymers in primary forms, declaration under 3902.90 is required; if it is finished products, declare under the corresponding finished product code. It must be determined based on the state of the goods.
Q: What are the common errors during declaration?
A: Common errors include: mistakenly classifying polypropylene under 3902.90, failing to provide monomer proportions, unclear appearance description, incorrect brand and model entry, etc. It is recommended to carefully verify the classification basis.
Q: How to avoid classification errors?
A: It is recommended to refer to official materials such as the "Import and Export Tariff Commodity and Heading Notes" and "Customs Classification Pre-rulings", or use customs classification query tools. If necessary, apply for pre-classification.
⚠️ Disclaimer: HS code classification, declaration elements, tariff rates and regulatory conditions on this page are for reference only and do not constitute legal advice on customs classification. Tariff rates and regulations are subject to change; the latest announcements from the General Administration of Customs and on-site determinations shall prevail. Please consult professional customs brokers or customs authorities before import/export.