Chapter 39 covers plastics and articles thereof, including polymers in primary forms, semi-finished products, waste and scrap, and finished products. This chapter is classified by polymer type (such as polyethylene, polyvinyl chloride, etc.) and product form (such as plates, sheets, pipes, rods, etc.). 3917 covers plastic pipes and fittings, while 391721 specifically refers to rigid pipes made of polymers of ethylene. Heading 3917 includes pipes, tubes, hoses and fittings therefor (such as joints, elbows, flanges, etc.) made of plastics, but only plastic materials. This heading distinguishes between rigid and flexible pipes, as well as different polymer materials (such as ethylene, propylene, vinyl chloride, etc.). 391721 specifically refers to rigid pipes made of polymers of ethylene (such as PE), i.e., pipes that cannot be bent or can only be bent to a limited extent. First 2 digits 39: Chapter 39 Plastics and articles thereof. Digits 3-4: 17: Heading 3917, plastic pipes and fittings. Digits 5-6: 21: Subheading 391721, rigid pipes of polymers of ethylene. Among them, the 5th digit 2 indicates polymers of ethylene, and the 6th digit 1 indicates rigid pipes. Therefore, the complete meaning of 391721 is: rigid pipes made of polymers of ethylene (such as polyethylene), excluding flexible hoses or pipes of other plastic materials. The product is a rigid pipe made of polymers of ethylene (such as PE). Since the material is polymers of ethylene and it is rigid, it is classified under 391721. If it were a flexible hose, it would be classified under 391731 (flexible hoses of polymers of ethylene); if it were made of other plastic materials (such as PVC), it would be classified under 391723 (rigid pipes of polymers of vinyl chloride); if it were made of polymers of ethylene but not tubular (such as rods, sticks), it would be classified under 3916.
Chapter
Chapter 39 covers plastics and articles thereof, including polymers in primary forms, semi-finished products, waste and scrap, and finished products. This chapter is classified by polymer type (such as polyethylene, polyvinyl chloride, etc.) and product form (such as plates, sheets, pipes, rods, etc.). 3917 covers plastic pipes and fittings, while 391721 specifically refers to rigid pipes made of polymers of ethylene.
Heading
Heading 3917 includes pipes, tubes, hoses and fittings therefor (such as joints, elbows, flanges, etc.) made of plastics, but only plastic materials. This heading distinguishes between rigid and flexible pipes, as well as different polymer materials (such as ethylene, propylene, vinyl chloride, etc.). 391721 specifically refers to rigid pipes made of polymers of ethylene (such as PE), i.e., pipes that cannot be bent or can only be bent to a limited extent.
Digit Breakdown
First 2 digits 39: Chapter 39 Plastics and articles thereof. Digits 3-4: 17: Heading 3917, plastic pipes and fittings. Digits 5-6: 21: Subheading 391721, rigid pipes of polymers of ethylene. Among them, the 5th digit 2 indicates polymers of ethylene, and the 6th digit 1 indicates rigid pipes. Therefore, the complete meaning of 391721 is: rigid pipes made of polymers of ethylene (such as polyethylene), excluding flexible hoses or pipes of other plastic materials.
Classification Basis
The product is a rigid pipe made of polymers of ethylene (such as PE). Since the material is polymers of ethylene and it is rigid, it is classified under 391721. If it were a flexible hose, it would be classified under 391731 (flexible hoses of polymers of ethylene); if it were made of other plastic materials (such as PVC), it would be classified under 391723 (rigid pipes of polymers of vinyl chloride); if it were made of polymers of ethylene but not tubular (such as rods, sticks), it would be classified under 3916.
📝 Declaration Elements
Product Name: The Chinese and English names of the declared goods, which should accurately reflect the material and form, such as "polyethylene rigid pipe". Material: Specific polymer type, such as polyethylene (PE), high-density polyethylene (HDPE), etc., which must be consistent with the code. Appearance: Describe the shape, color, cross-sectional shape (circular, rectangular, etc.) of the pipe and whether it is rigid. Use: The end use of the pipe, such as water supply, drainage, chemical industry, agricultural irrigation, etc. Specifications and Dimensions: Including outer diameter, inner diameter, wall thickness, length, etc., usually expressed in millimeters or inches. Brand: Manufacturer or brand name; if no brand, write "none". Model: Product model or specification code for easy identification. Processing Technology: Such as extrusion, injection molding, etc. Rigid pipes are usually extrusion molded. Product Name: Polyethylene rigid pipe; Material: High-density polyethylene (HDPE); Appearance: Black circular rigid pipe; Use: Agricultural irrigation; Specifications and Dimensions: Outer diameter 20mm, inner diameter 16mm, wall thickness 2mm, length 4m; Brand: None; Model: PE-20; Processing Technology: Extrusion. Misreporting a rigid pipe as a flexible hose, leading to classification under 391731 instead of 391721. Material not specified as polymers of ethylene, such as writing only "plastic", which may be classified under other subheadings. Incomplete specifications and dimensions, making it impossible to determine rigidity, affecting classification.
Product Name
The Chinese and English names of the declared goods, which should accurately reflect the material and form, such as "polyethylene rigid pipe".
⚠️ Writing only "plastic pipe" without specifying the material and rigidity, leading to classification errors.
Material
Specific polymer type, such as polyethylene (PE), high-density polyethylene (HDPE), etc., which must be consistent with the code.
⚠️ Misreporting PE as PVC, or writing only "plastic" without specificity.
Appearance
Describe the shape, color, cross-sectional shape (circular, rectangular, etc.) of the pipe and whether it is rigid.
⚠️ Failing to indicate rigidity, or mistakenly describing a rigid pipe as a flexible hose.
Use
The end use of the pipe, such as water supply, drainage, chemical industry, agricultural irrigation, etc.
⚠️ Use description is too broad, such as "industrial use", lacking specificity.
Specifications and Dimensions
Including outer diameter, inner diameter, wall thickness, length, etc., usually expressed in millimeters or inches.
⚠️ Omitting wall thickness or length, making it impossible to determine rigidity.
Brand
Manufacturer or brand name; if no brand, write "none".
⚠️ Confusing brand with manufacturer, or incomplete filling.
Model
Product model or specification code for easy identification.
⚠️ Incorrect model entry or inconsistent with the actual product.
Processing Technology
Such as extrusion, injection molding, etc. Rigid pipes are usually extrusion molded.
⚠️ Misreporting extrusion as injection molding, or failing to indicate the process.
Misreporting a rigid pipe as a flexible hose, leading to classification under 391731 instead of 391721.
Material not specified as polymers of ethylene, such as writing only "plastic", which may be classified under other subheadings.
Incomplete specifications and dimensions, making it impossible to determine rigidity, affecting classification.
🎯 Classification Logic
The core basis for classification is: 1) The material must be polymers of ethylene (such as PE, HDPE, etc.); 2) The product form is a rigid pipe, i.e., it cannot be bent freely or can only be bent to a limited extent; 3) It belongs to the heading of plastic pipes and fittings. If the material is other polymers (such as PVC, PP), or it is a flexible hose, it is classified under other subheadings. 391723 Rigid pipes of polymers of vinyl chloride: Different material: 391723 is rigid pipes of PVC, while 391721 is rigid pipes of polymers of ethylene. 391731 Flexible hoses of polymers of ethylene: Flexible hoses can be bent, rigid pipes cannot be bent; this is the core difference. 391739 Other flexible hoses of plastics: Material is not polymers of ethylene, and it is a flexible hose, such as nylon hose. 391610 Monofilament, rods, sticks, etc., of polymers of ethylene: Different shape: 391610 is monofilament, rods, sticks, not tubular. 391722 Rigid pipes of polymers of propylene: Material is polymers of propylene (such as PP), not polymers of ethylene. Is the material polymers of ethylene? Is the product tubular? Is it rigid (cannot be bent)? Are the specifications and dimensions complete? Is the use clear?
Basis
The core basis for classification is: 1) The material must be polymers of ethylene (such as PE, HDPE, etc.); 2) The product form is a rigid pipe, i.e., it cannot be bent freely or can only be bent to a limited extent; 3) It belongs to the heading of plastic pipes and fittings. If the material is other polymers (such as PVC, PP), or it is a flexible hose, it is classified under other subheadings.
Confused Codes：
391723 - Rigid pipes of polymers of vinyl chloride
Different material: 391723 is rigid pipes of PVC, while 391721 is rigid pipes of polymers of ethylene.
391731 - Flexible hoses of polymers of ethylene
Flexible hoses can be bent, rigid pipes cannot be bent; this is the core difference.
391739 - Other flexible hoses of plastics
Material is not polymers of ethylene, and it is a flexible hose, such as nylon hose.
391610 - Monofilament, rods, sticks, etc., of polymers of ethylene
Different shape: 391610 is monofilament, rods, sticks, not tubular.
391722 - Rigid pipes of polymers of propylene
Material is polymers of propylene (such as PP), not polymers of ethylene.
Self-Check：
✓ Is the material polymers of ethylene?
✓ Is the product tubular?
✓ Is it rigid (cannot be bent)?
✓ Are the specifications and dimensions complete?
✓ Is the use clear?
❓ FAQ
How to determine whether a pipe is rigid or flexible? Rigid pipes generally refer to pipes that cannot be bent by hand at room temperature or can only be slightly bent, such as PE water supply pipes; flexible hoses can be bent freely, such as PVC hoses. You can refer to product standards or conduct a bending test. What are the common types of rigid pipes made of polymers of ethylene? Common ones include high-density polyethylene (HDPE) pipes, medium-density polyethylene (MDPE) pipes, cross-linked polyethylene (PEX) pipes, etc., widely used in water supply, gas, drainage, and other fields. If the pipe is made of PE but is bendable, which code should it be classified under? If it is a flexible hose, it should be classified under 391731 (flexible hoses of polymers of ethylene). If it is bendable but semi-rigid, it needs to be judged based on the degree of bending, usually classified as a flexible hose. What specific data should be provided for specifications and dimensions during declaration? Outer diameter, inner diameter, wall thickness, length, etc. should be provided. These data help determine whether it is rigid and assist in classification. For example, those with larger wall thickness are usually rigid pipes. What is the main difference between 391721 and 391723? 391721 is rigid pipes of polymers of ethylene, and 391723 is rigid pipes of polymers of vinyl chloride. The difference lies in the type of polymer: polymers of ethylene such as PE, polymers of vinyl chloride such as PVC. What certifications are required for importing PE rigid pipes? Depending on the use, hygiene certification (such as for drinking water), pressure certification, etc. may be required. Specifically, consult the local customs or inspection and quarantine authorities. How to check the tariff rate for 391721? You can check the latest tariff rates through the General Administration of Customs website, the International Trade Single Window, or consult a customs broker. Tariff rates may change due to country, trade agreements, etc. If the pipe comes with fittings, how should it be classified? If the fittings are declared together with the pipe and are made of plastics, they are usually classified as the pipe; if declared separately, the fittings are classified under 391740. The specific determination is based on customs classification rules.
Q: How to determine whether a pipe is rigid or flexible?
A: Rigid pipes generally refer to pipes that cannot be bent by hand at room temperature or can only be slightly bent, such as PE water supply pipes; flexible hoses can be bent freely, such as PVC hoses. You can refer to product standards or conduct a bending test.
Q: What are the common types of rigid pipes made of polymers of ethylene?
A: Common ones include high-density polyethylene (HDPE) pipes, medium-density polyethylene (MDPE) pipes, cross-linked polyethylene (PEX) pipes, etc., widely used in water supply, gas, drainage, and other fields.
Q: If the pipe is made of PE but is bendable, which code should it be classified under?
A: If it is a flexible hose, it should be classified under 391731 (flexible hoses of polymers of ethylene). If it is bendable but semi-rigid, it needs to be judged based on the degree of bending, usually classified as a flexible hose.
Q: What specific data should be provided for specifications and dimensions during declaration?
A: Outer diameter, inner diameter, wall thickness, length, etc. should be provided. These data help determine whether it is rigid and assist in classification. For example, those with larger wall thickness are usually rigid pipes.
Q: What is the main difference between 391721 and 391723?
A: 391721 is rigid pipes of polymers of ethylene, and 391723 is rigid pipes of polymers of vinyl chloride. The difference lies in the type of polymer: polymers of ethylene such as PE, polymers of vinyl chloride such as PVC.
Q: What certifications are required for importing PE rigid pipes?
A: Depending on the use, hygiene certification (such as for drinking water), pressure certification, etc. may be required. Specifically, consult the local customs or inspection and quarantine authorities.
Q: How to check the tariff rate for 391721?
A: You can check the latest tariff rates through the General Administration of Customs website, the International Trade Single Window, or consult a customs broker. Tariff rates may change due to country, trade agreements, etc.
Q: If the pipe comes with fittings, how should it be classified?
A: If the fittings are declared together with the pipe and are made of plastics, they are usually classified as the pipe; if declared separately, the fittings are classified under 391740. The specific determination is based on customs classification rules.
⚠️ 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.