Chapter 39 covers plastics and articles thereof, including polymers in primary forms, waste and scrap, semi-manufactures and finished products. This chapter is divided into two subchapters according to the source and processing stage of plastics: Subchapter I (3901-3914) covers plastics in primary forms, and Subchapter II (3915-3926) covers semi-manufactures and finished articles of plastics. Heading 3923 falls under Subchapter II and covers packing containers and similar articles of plastics. Heading 3923 covers containers, lids, caps, closures and other similar articles of plastics for the conveyance or packing of goods, such as boxes, cases, bags, bottles, jars, cans, etc. However, it does not include plastic articles specially designed for domestic or kitchen use (3924) or plastic articles for construction use (3917). Heading 3923 focuses on the packing or conveyance function. The first 2 digits '39' represent Chapter 39 (Plastics and articles thereof). The 3rd-4th digits '23' represent heading 3923 (Containers and similar articles of plastics for the conveyance or packing of goods). The 5th-6th digits '29' represent subheading 392329, i.e., 'Other bags of plastics', referring to bags made of plastics other than polymers of ethylene (392321) and polyamides (392329? actually 392329 is bags of other plastics). Note: 392321 is bags of polymers of ethylene, and 392329 is bags of other plastics, including polypropylene, polyester, polyvinyl chloride, etc. The goods are plastic bags used for packing and conveyance, and the material is not a polymer of ethylene (otherwise classified under 392321), nor polyamide (actually 392329 already covers other plastics), so they are classified under 392329. If made of polymers of ethylene, they should be classified under 392321; if made of polyamide, they are also classified under 392329 (because 392329 includes other plastics), but note that 392329 is expressly 'other', i.e., excluding polymers of ethylene.
Chapter
Chapter 39 covers plastics and articles thereof, including polymers in primary forms, waste and scrap, semi-manufactures and finished products. This chapter is divided into two subchapters according to the source and processing stage of plastics: Subchapter I (3901-3914) covers plastics in primary forms, and Subchapter II (3915-3926) covers semi-manufactures and finished articles of plastics. Heading 3923 falls under Subchapter II and covers packing containers and similar articles of plastics.
Heading
Heading 3923 covers containers, lids, caps, closures and other similar articles of plastics for the conveyance or packing of goods, such as boxes, cases, bags, bottles, jars, cans, etc. However, it does not include plastic articles specially designed for domestic or kitchen use (3924) or plastic articles for construction use (3917). Heading 3923 focuses on the packing or conveyance function.
Digit Breakdown
The first 2 digits '39' represent Chapter 39 (Plastics and articles thereof). The 3rd-4th digits '23' represent heading 3923 (Containers and similar articles of plastics for the conveyance or packing of goods). The 5th-6th digits '29' represent subheading 392329, i.e., 'Other bags of plastics', referring to bags made of plastics other than polymers of ethylene (392321) and polyamides (392329? actually 392329 is bags of other plastics). Note: 392321 is bags of polymers of ethylene, and 392329 is bags of other plastics, including polypropylene, polyester, polyvinyl chloride, etc.
Classification Basis
The goods are plastic bags used for packing and conveyance, and the material is not a polymer of ethylene (otherwise classified under 392321), nor polyamide (actually 392329 already covers other plastics), so they are classified under 392329. If made of polymers of ethylene, they should be classified under 392321; if made of polyamide, they are also classified under 392329 (because 392329 includes other plastics), but note that 392329 is expressly 'other', i.e., excluding polymers of ethylene.
📝 Declaration Elements
Product name: The specific name of the declared commodity, such as 'plastic bag' or 'plastic packing bag', which must be consistent with the actual goods. Material: The specific type of plastic, such as polypropylene (PP), polyester (PET), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), etc. It is not sufficient to write only 'plastic'. Use: Explain the use of the bag, such as 'for packing garments', 'for conveyance', etc., and it must reflect the packing or conveyance function. Specifications and dimensions: The length, width, thickness, etc. of the bag, which affect classification and duty rates. Sterile or not: If used for sterile medical packaging, other codes may be involved. Brand or model: If there is a brand or model, it must be declared; if there is no brand, fill in 'none'. Packing method: The packing form of the bags, such as 'roll-packed' or 'boxed', which affects transportation and classification. Customs declaration example:
Product name: Plastic packing bag
Material: Polypropylene (PP)
Use: For garment conveyance packing
Specifications: Length 50 cm x Width 30 cm x Thickness 0.05 mm
Sterile or not: No
Brand: None
Packing method: Roll-packed
HS code: 392329
Quantity: 1000 kg
Unit price: USD 2/kg
Total price: USD 2000 Mistakenly classifying bags of polymers of ethylene under 392329, when they should actually be classified under 392321. Mistakenly classifying shopping bags (reusable) under 392329, when they may be classified under 3924 or 3926. Failing to declare the specific plastic material, causing customs to question the classification.
Product name
The specific name of the declared commodity, such as 'plastic bag' or 'plastic packing bag', which must be consistent with the actual goods.
⚠️ Declaring it generically as 'plastic article' without specifying it as a bag.
Material
The specific type of plastic, such as polypropylene (PP), polyester (PET), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), etc. It is not sufficient to write only 'plastic'.
⚠️ Writing only 'plastic' without indicating the specific polymer, leading to classification disputes.
Use
Explain the use of the bag, such as 'for packing garments', 'for conveyance', etc., and it must reflect the packing or conveyance function.
⚠️ Mistakenly writing 'shopping bag' (which may be classified under 3924 or 3926).
Specifications and dimensions
The length, width, thickness, etc. of the bag, which affect classification and duty rates.
⚠️ Failing to provide dimensions, making it impossible to determine whether it is a packing container.
Sterile or not
If used for sterile medical packaging, other codes may be involved.
⚠️ Ignoring the sterility requirement and incorrectly classifying it as an ordinary packing bag.
Brand or model
If there is a brand or model, it must be declared; if there is no brand, fill in 'none'.
⚠️ Omitting the brand, leading to intellectual property issues.
Packing method
The packing form of the bags, such as 'roll-packed' or 'boxed', which affects transportation and classification.
⚠️ Failing to specify, which may cause it to be mistaken for retail packaging.
Example： Customs declaration example:
Product name: Plastic packing bag
Material: Polypropylene (PP)
Use: For garment conveyance packing
Specifications: Length 50 cm x Width 30 cm x Thickness 0.05 mm
Sterile or not: No
Brand: None
Packing method: Roll-packed
HS code: 392329
Quantity: 1000 kg
Unit price: USD 2/kg
Total price: USD 2000
Common Mistakes：
Mistakenly classifying bags of polymers of ethylene under 392329, when they should actually be classified under 392321.
Mistakenly classifying shopping bags (reusable) under 392329, when they may be classified under 3924 or 3926.
Failing to declare the specific plastic material, causing customs to question the classification.
🎯 Classification Logic
Core basis for classification: 1) The goods are made of plastics; 2) They are used for the conveyance or packing of goods; 3) They are not made of polymers of ethylene (otherwise classified under 392321); 4) They are not specially designed for domestic or kitchen use (otherwise classified under 3924). A comprehensive judgment must be made based on material, use and specifications. If the bags are used for retail packing, they may still be classified under 3923, but attention must be paid to the difference from 3924. 392321 Bags of polymers of ethylene: The material is a polymer of ethylene (such as PE), whereas 392329 is other plastics (such as PP, PET). The core difference lies in the material. 392330 Plastic bottles, jars, etc.: 392330 covers bottles, jars and similar containers, while 392329 covers bags, with different shapes and uses. 392490 Other household plastic articles: 392490 covers household utensils, such as garbage bags which may be classified here, but if used for conveyance packing they are classified under 392329. 392690 Other articles of plastics: 392690 covers plastic articles not elsewhere specified; if the bags are not used for packing or conveyance, they may be classified here. 630533 Woven bags of polyethylene: If they are woven bags made of polyethylene, they may be classified under 6305, but 392329 covers non-woven bags of plastics. Is the material a polymer of ethylene? If yes, classify under 392321. Is the use for the conveyance or packing of goods? Is it specially designed for domestic or kitchen use? If yes, consider 3924. Is it a woven bag? If yes, consider 6305. Is it sterile medical packaging? If yes, it may be classified under other codes.
Basis
Core basis for classification: 1) The goods are made of plastics; 2) They are used for the conveyance or packing of goods; 3) They are not made of polymers of ethylene (otherwise classified under 392321); 4) They are not specially designed for domestic or kitchen use (otherwise classified under 3924). A comprehensive judgment must be made based on material, use and specifications. If the bags are used for retail packing, they may still be classified under 3923, but attention must be paid to the difference from 3924.
Confused Codes：
392321 - Bags of polymers of ethylene
The material is a polymer of ethylene (such as PE), whereas 392329 is other plastics (such as PP, PET). The core difference lies in the material.
392330 - Plastic bottles, jars, etc.
392330 covers bottles, jars and similar containers, while 392329 covers bags, with different shapes and uses.
392490 - Other household plastic articles
392490 covers household utensils, such as garbage bags which may be classified here, but if used for conveyance packing they are classified under 392329.
392690 - Other articles of plastics
392690 covers plastic articles not elsewhere specified; if the bags are not used for packing or conveyance, they may be classified here.
630533 - Woven bags of polyethylene
If they are woven bags made of polyethylene, they may be classified under 6305, but 392329 covers non-woven bags of plastics.
Self-Check：
✓ Is the material a polymer of ethylene? If yes, classify under 392321.
✓ Is the use for the conveyance or packing of goods?
✓ Is it specially designed for domestic or kitchen use? If yes, consider 3924.
✓ Is it a woven bag? If yes, consider 6305.
✓ Is it sterile medical packaging? If yes, it may be classified under other codes.
❓ FAQ
How can I check the duty rate for 392329? You can check the MFN rate, general rate, etc. by entering HS code 392329 on the official website of the General Administration of Customs, China International Trade Single Window, or professional tariff query tools. Duty rates may change, so it is advisable to rely on the latest tariff. What is the difference between 392329 and 392321? 392321 specifically refers to bags of polymers of ethylene, while 392329 refers to bags of other plastics (such as PP, PET, PVC, etc.). The difference lies in the material, and the type of polymer must be specified when declaring. If plastic bags are used for shopping, which code should they be classified under? If they are single-use shopping bags, they are usually classified under 392329; if they are reusable shopping bags, they may be classified under 3924 or 3926. Judgment should be made based on material, use and design. What certifications are required for exporting plastic bags to the EU? They must comply with EU regulations such as REACH and RoHS, and food-contact materials must comply with EU 10/2011. It is advisable to confirm the requirements with the importer in advance. Can I write 'plastic' as the material when declaring? No, the specific polymer must be indicated, such as PP, PET, etc.; otherwise customs may require supplementary declaration, affecting customs clearance. Can bags under 392329 be used for food packaging? Yes, but they must comply with food-contact material regulations. When declaring, 'for food use' must be indicated and relevant test reports provided. If the bags are made of polyamide (nylon), where are they classified? Bags made of polyamide are also classified under 392329, because 392329 includes other plastics, but note that 392321 is limited to polymers of ethylene. How can I determine whether a bag is 'for conveyance or packing'? Based on use and design, if used for logistics, warehousing, retail packing, etc., it is generally regarded as for packing. If it is a household storage bag, it may be classified under 3924.
Q: How can I check the duty rate for 392329?
A: You can check the MFN rate, general rate, etc. by entering HS code 392329 on the official website of the General Administration of Customs, China International Trade Single Window, or professional tariff query tools. Duty rates may change, so it is advisable to rely on the latest tariff.
Q: What is the difference between 392329 and 392321?
A: 392321 specifically refers to bags of polymers of ethylene, while 392329 refers to bags of other plastics (such as PP, PET, PVC, etc.). The difference lies in the material, and the type of polymer must be specified when declaring.
Q: If plastic bags are used for shopping, which code should they be classified under?
A: If they are single-use shopping bags, they are usually classified under 392329; if they are reusable shopping bags, they may be classified under 3924 or 3926. Judgment should be made based on material, use and design.
Q: What certifications are required for exporting plastic bags to the EU?
A: They must comply with EU regulations such as REACH and RoHS, and food-contact materials must comply with EU 10/2011. It is advisable to confirm the requirements with the importer in advance.
Q: Can I write 'plastic' as the material when declaring?
A: No, the specific polymer must be indicated, such as PP, PET, etc.; otherwise customs may require supplementary declaration, affecting customs clearance.
Q: Can bags under 392329 be used for food packaging?
A: Yes, but they must comply with food-contact material regulations. When declaring, 'for food use' must be indicated and relevant test reports provided.
Q: If the bags are made of polyamide (nylon), where are they classified?
A: Bags made of polyamide are also classified under 392329, because 392329 includes other plastics, but note that 392321 is limited to polymers of ethylene.
Q: How can I determine whether a bag is 'for conveyance or packing'?
A: Based on use and design, if used for logistics, warehousing, retail packing, etc., it is generally regarded as for packing. If it is a household storage bag, it may be classified under 3924.
⚠️ 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.