Chapter 39 covers plastics and articles thereof, including polymers in primary forms, synthetic rubber, semi-finished and finished products. This chapter classifies according to the chemical composition of polymers, physical form (such as plates, sheets, film, foil, strips) and degree of processing. Heading 3920 specifically covers plates, sheets, film, foil and strip of non-cellular plastics, whether or not surface-worked, but not combined with other materials. Heading 3920 includes plates, sheets, film, foil and strip of non-cellular plastics, only surface-worked or cut into rectangles, but not further worked. Its subheadings are divided by polymer type, such as polyethylene, polypropylene, polyvinyl chloride, etc. 392049 specifically refers to plates, sheets, film and foil of non-rigid vinyl chloride polymers, i.e., plasticized PVC soft products, which are flexible. First 2 digits 39: Chapter 39 plastics and articles thereof. Digits 3-4 20: Heading 3920, plates, sheets, film, foil and strip of non-cellular plastics. Digits 5-6 49: Subheading 392049, plates, sheets, film and foil of non-rigid (i.e., plasticized) vinyl chloride polymers. Note that 392043 is rigid (unplasticized) vinyl chloride polymers, and 392049 is plasticized soft. The goods are made of vinyl chloride polymers, non-rigid (plasticized), in the form of plates, sheets, film and foil, conforming to the description of 392049. If rigid (unplasticized), they should be classified under 392043; if cellular plastics, under 3921; if combined with other materials or further worked, under other headings.
Chapter
Chapter 39 covers plastics and articles thereof, including polymers in primary forms, synthetic rubber, semi-finished and finished products. This chapter classifies according to the chemical composition of polymers, physical form (such as plates, sheets, film, foil, strips) and degree of processing. Heading 3920 specifically covers plates, sheets, film, foil and strip of non-cellular plastics, whether or not surface-worked, but not combined with other materials.
Heading
Heading 3920 includes plates, sheets, film, foil and strip of non-cellular plastics, only surface-worked or cut into rectangles, but not further worked. Its subheadings are divided by polymer type, such as polyethylene, polypropylene, polyvinyl chloride, etc. 392049 specifically refers to plates, sheets, film and foil of non-rigid vinyl chloride polymers, i.e., plasticized PVC soft products, which are flexible.
Digit Breakdown
First 2 digits 39: Chapter 39 plastics and articles thereof. Digits 3-4 20: Heading 3920, plates, sheets, film, foil and strip of non-cellular plastics. Digits 5-6 49: Subheading 392049, plates, sheets, film and foil of non-rigid (i.e., plasticized) vinyl chloride polymers. Note that 392043 is rigid (unplasticized) vinyl chloride polymers, and 392049 is plasticized soft.
Classification Basis
The goods are made of vinyl chloride polymers, non-rigid (plasticized), in the form of plates, sheets, film and foil, conforming to the description of 392049. If rigid (unplasticized), they should be classified under 392043; if cellular plastics, under 3921; if combined with other materials or further worked, under other headings.
📝 Declaration Elements
Product Name: The standard name of the declared goods, which should include key information such as material, form, and use, e.g., 'plasticized polyvinyl chloride film'. Material: Clearly specify the polymer type, such as polyvinyl chloride (PVC), and indicate whether it is plasticized and the plasticizer content. Appearance: Describe color, transparency, gloss, etc., e.g., 'transparent, matte, in rolls'. Specifications and Dimensions: Declare thickness, width, length, etc., e.g., 'thickness 0.1mm, width 1m, length 100m'. Whether Plasticized: Clearly state whether plasticizers are added; non-rigid means plasticized, requiring a 'yes' or 'no' answer. Use: Explain the main use, e.g., 'for packaging, agricultural covering, advertising materials, etc.'. Brand: Declare the brand or manufacturer name; if no brand, fill in 'none'. Model: Declare the product model or specification code; if no model, fill in 'none'. Product Name: Plasticized polyvinyl chloride film; Material: Polyvinyl chloride (containing 30% plasticizer); Appearance: Transparent, in rolls; Specifications and Dimensions: Thickness 0.08mm, width 1.2m, length 500m; Whether Plasticized: Yes; Use: For packaging; Brand: None; Model: PVC-SF08. Misclassifying plasticized PVC as rigid 392043, ignoring the presence of plasticizers. Not declaring thickness, making it impossible to distinguish from other subheadings of 3920. Misclassifying cellular PVC into 392049, when it should actually be 3921.
Product Name
The standard name of the declared goods, which should include key information such as material, form, and use, e.g., 'plasticized polyvinyl chloride film'.
⚠️ Only writing 'plastic film' or 'PVC sheet', without reflecting plasticized and non-rigid characteristics.
Material
Clearly specify the polymer type, such as polyvinyl chloride (PVC), and indicate whether it is plasticized and the plasticizer content.
⚠️ Mistakenly writing 'plastic' or 'ethylene polymer', without distinguishing vinyl chloride from other olefins.
Appearance
Describe color, transparency, gloss, etc., e.g., 'transparent, matte, in rolls'.
⚠️ Omitting color or transparency, leading to confusion with rigid sheets.
Misclassifying plasticized PVC as rigid 392043, ignoring the presence of plasticizers.
Not declaring thickness, making it impossible to distinguish from other subheadings of 3920.
Misclassifying cellular PVC into 392049, when it should actually be 3921.
🎯 Classification Logic
Core classification basis: 1. Material is vinyl chloride polymer; 2. Form is non-rigid (plasticized) plates, sheets, film and foil; 3. Non-cellular plastic; 4. Not combined with other materials or further worked. Need to combine with tariff schedule notes and customs classification decisions. 392043 Rigid vinyl chloride polymer plates, sheets, film and foil: 392043 is unplasticized rigid, 392049 is plasticized non-rigid. The difference lies in plasticizer content; typically, plasticizer content exceeding 6% is considered non-rigid. 392112 Cellular plates, sheets, film and foil of vinyl chloride polymers: 392112 is cellular plastic, 392049 is non-cellular. Can be determined by density and porosity. 391810 Floor coverings of vinyl chloride polymers: 391810 is floor coverings, even if PVC non-rigid, but with flooring characteristics, should be classified under 3918. 392190 Other plastic plates, sheets, film and foil: 392190 is other plastics or combined materials, 392049 is limited to vinyl chloride polymers and non-rigid. Is the material confirmed as vinyl chloride polymer? Is it confirmed as non-rigid (plasticized)? Is it confirmed as non-cellular plastic? Is it not combined with other materials? Is it not further worked into other articles?
Basis
Core classification basis: 1. Material is vinyl chloride polymer; 2. Form is non-rigid (plasticized) plates, sheets, film and foil; 3. Non-cellular plastic; 4. Not combined with other materials or further worked. Need to combine with tariff schedule notes and customs classification decisions.
Confused Codes:
392043 - Rigid vinyl chloride polymer plates, sheets, film and foil
392043 is unplasticized rigid, 392049 is plasticized non-rigid. The difference lies in plasticizer content; typically, plasticizer content exceeding 6% is considered non-rigid.
392112 - Cellular plates, sheets, film and foil of vinyl chloride polymers
392112 is cellular plastic, 392049 is non-cellular. Can be determined by density and porosity.
391810 - Floor coverings of vinyl chloride polymers
391810 is floor coverings, even if PVC non-rigid, but with flooring characteristics, should be classified under 3918.
392190 - Other plastic plates, sheets, film and foil
392190 is other plastics or combined materials, 392049 is limited to vinyl chloride polymers and non-rigid.
Self-Check:
✓ Is the material confirmed as vinyl chloride polymer?
✓ Is it confirmed as non-rigid (plasticized)?
✓ Is it confirmed as non-cellular plastic?
✓ Is it not combined with other materials?
✓ Is it not further worked into other articles?
❓ FAQ
How to determine whether PVC sheets are rigid or non-rigid? Rigid PVC typically has no plasticizers added or plasticizer content below 6%, and is hard in texture; non-rigid PVC has plasticizers added, is soft and elastic. Refer to customs laboratory analysis or supplier-provided plasticizer content data. What is the main difference between 392049 and 392043? 392043 is unplasticized rigid vinyl chloride polymer plates, sheets, film and foil, 392049 is plasticized non-rigid. When classifying, the plasticizer content must be clarified; if exceeding 6%, it is usually classified under 392049. If PVC film is used for agricultural covering, should it be classified under 392049? If it is plasticized non-rigid PVC film and not combined with other materials, it is still classified under 392049. But if made into specific shapes or laminated with other materials, it may be classified under other headings. Which code should cellular PVC sheets be classified under? Cellular PVC sheets should be classified under 392112, not 392049. 392049 only applies to non-cellular plastics. What are the consequences of omitting 'whether plasticized' in the declaration? It may lead to classification errors; if actually plasticized but not declared, it may be deemed as inaccurate declaration by customs, facing risks such as tax recovery and fines. How to check the tariff rate for 392049? You can log on to the website of the General Administration of Customs of China or use the 'Import and Export Tariff of the People's Republic of China' to check. The rate varies according to trade agreements, origin, etc.; it is recommended to refer to the latest tariff. What regulatory conditions are required for exporting products under 392049? Usually no special regulatory conditions, but must comply with the quality and environmental requirements of the exporting country. Some countries may require REACH, RoHS and other certifications. If PVC film is laminated with other plastics, how should it be classified? If combined with other materials, it should be classified under 3921 or other headings. If only surface-coated without changing basic characteristics, it may still be classified under 392049.
Q: How to determine whether PVC sheets are rigid or non-rigid?
A: Rigid PVC typically has no plasticizers added or plasticizer content below 6%, and is hard in texture; non-rigid PVC has plasticizers added, is soft and elastic. Refer to customs laboratory analysis or supplier-provided plasticizer content data.
Q: What is the main difference between 392049 and 392043?
A: 392043 is unplasticized rigid vinyl chloride polymer plates, sheets, film and foil, 392049 is plasticized non-rigid. When classifying, the plasticizer content must be clarified; if exceeding 6%, it is usually classified under 392049.
Q: If PVC film is used for agricultural covering, should it be classified under 392049?
A: If it is plasticized non-rigid PVC film and not combined with other materials, it is still classified under 392049. But if made into specific shapes or laminated with other materials, it may be classified under other headings.
Q: Which code should cellular PVC sheets be classified under?
A: Cellular PVC sheets should be classified under 392112, not 392049. 392049 only applies to non-cellular plastics.
Q: What are the consequences of omitting 'whether plasticized' in the declaration?
A: It may lead to classification errors; if actually plasticized but not declared, it may be deemed as inaccurate declaration by customs, facing risks such as tax recovery and fines.
Q: How to check the tariff rate for 392049?
A: You can log on to the website of the General Administration of Customs of China or use the 'Import and Export Tariff of the People's Republic of China' to check. The rate varies according to trade agreements, origin, etc.; it is recommended to refer to the latest tariff.
Q: What regulatory conditions are required for exporting products under 392049?
A: Usually no special regulatory conditions, but must comply with the quality and environmental requirements of the exporting country. Some countries may require REACH, RoHS and other certifications.
Q: If PVC film is laminated with other plastics, how should it be classified?
A: If combined with other materials, it should be classified under 3921 or other headings. If only surface-coated without changing basic characteristics, it may still be classified under 392049.
⚠️ 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.