HS code · 6-digit subheading
HS Code 3904.90 – Vinyl chloride, other halogenated olefin polymers; n.e.c. in heading no. 3904
HS code 3904.90 is the 6-digit subheading for vinyl chloride, other halogenated olefin polymers, n.e.c. in heading no. 3904. It is used for chlorinated polyethylene (CPE), chlorinated PVC (CPVC) resin, polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) homopolymer, polyvinyl fluoride (PVF) resin and brominated polyethylene.
What HS 3904.90 covers
This is a residual or "basket" category for vinyl chloride polymers and other halogenated olefin polymers in primary forms that are not specifically classified under any other subheading within HS heading 3904. It serves to capture less common or highly specialized variants, or those that don't fit the more precise descriptions. These primary forms are raw materials for various niche applications where specific properties are required. Importers are typically diverse, ranging from specialized manufacturers in developed economies like the US, Germany, and Japan, to emerging industrial players seeking unique polymer solutions. Exporters are often chemical companies with advanced R&D capabilities in countries like the US, Germany, and China. Key aspects of trading these materials include precise chemical identification to ensure correct classification, understanding their unique performance characteristics, and navigating any specific regulatory requirements for novel or specialized polymers. This code highlights the vast and evolving landscape of polymer chemistry.
- Covers
- Chlorinated polyethylene (CPE)
- Chlorinated PVC (CPVC) resin
- Polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) homopolymer
- Polyvinyl fluoride (PVF) resin
- Brominated polyethylene
- Iodinated polypropylene
- Specialty halogenated polyolefin
- Examples
- Arkema Kynar (PVDF)
- Solvay Halar (ECTFE)
- Dow Tyrin (CPE)
- Kaneka Kane Ace (CPE)
- Sekisui CPVC
Codes often confused with 3904.90
Common mistake. As a "not elsewhere specified" code, misclassification is common if the product actually fits a more specific subheading within 3904 (e.g., 390421, 390430, 390461, 390469). It's crucial to exhaust all other specific options before resorting to this code.
Top exporters and importers of HS code 390490, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 390490 in UN Comtrade data was Thailand, with 22% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was India, with 57% of world imports. Countries that did not report 2025 data are estimated from partner records, which can understate them.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 Thailand $114M 22% of world exports
- 2 Japan $88M 17% of world exports
- 3 United States $76M 15% of world exports
World total: $509M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 India $324M 57% of world imports
- 2 China $22M 3.8% of world imports
- 3 Belgium $21M 3.7% of world imports
World total: $570M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
How these figures are built
109 countries reported 2025 trade to UN Comtrade in HS 2022, and their own totals are used. Countries that did not report are estimated from what other countries recorded trading with them. Those estimates miss trade with other non-reporting countries, so they can be low, and a non-reporting country can rank higher than shown or be missing from the list. World totals add both and leave out trade between two non-reporting countries. Figures are in current US dollars; reported imports are mostly valued CIF and exports FOB, and exports include re-exports. The UN Comtrade links show the underlying records; they can also list a few reporters left out here (regional groups and older HS editions).
Source: UN Comtrade (United Nations Statistics Division), 2025 annual data.
Brazil NCM codes for 3904.90 2
Brazil splits HS 3904.90 into 2 NCM codes, Mercosur's 8-digit tariff lines.
- 3904.90.10 Chlorinated PVC (CPVC)Poli(cloreto de vinila) clorado
- 3904.90.90 Other halogenated olefin polymersOutros
All Brazil NCM codes in heading 39.04 →
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text is official; the English is our translation.
Questions about HS 3904.90
What is HS code 390490?
HS code 390490 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Vinyl chloride, other halogenated olefin polymers; n.e.c. in heading no. 3904. This is a residual or "basket" category for vinyl chloride polymers and other halogenated olefin polymers in primary forms that are not specifically classified under any other subheading within HS heading 3904. It serves to capture less common or highly specialized variants, or those that don't fit the more precise descriptions. These primary forms are raw materials for various niche applications where specific properties are required. Importers are typically diverse, ranging from specialized manufacturers in developed economies like the US, Germany, and Japan, to emerging industrial players seeking unique polymer solutions. Exporters are often chemical companies with advanced R&D capabilities in countries like the US, Germany, and China. Key aspects of trading these materials include precise chemical identification to ensure correct classification, understanding their unique performance characteristics, and navigating any specific regulatory requirements for novel or specialized polymers. This code highlights the vast and evolving landscape of polymer chemistry.
What products fall under HS code 390490?
Chlorinated polyethylene (CPE), Chlorinated PVC (CPVC) resin, Polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) homopolymer, Polyvinyl fluoride (PVF) resin, Brominated polyethylene, Iodinated polypropylene, Specialty halogenated polyolefin
What are common misclassifications for HS code 390490?
As a "not elsewhere specified" code, misclassification is common if the product actually fits a more specific subheading within 3904 (e.g., 390421, 390430, 390461, 390469). It's crucial to exhaust all other specific options before resorting to this code.
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 390490?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 390490 in UN Comtrade data were Thailand ($114M, 22% of world exports), Japan ($88M) and the United States ($76M). World exports came to about $509M, adding countries' reported figures and partner-based estimates for those that did not report (UN Comtrade data). Countries that did not report 2025 data are estimated from partner records, which can understate them.
Which countries are the top importers of goods under HS code 390490?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 390490 in UN Comtrade data were India ($324M, 57% of world imports), China ($22M) and Belgium ($21M). World imports came to about $570M, adding countries' reported figures and partner-based estimates for those that did not report (UN Comtrade data). Countries that did not report 2025 data are estimated from partner records, which can understate them.
How is HS code 390490 structured?
HS code 390490 is a 6-digit subheading under the Harmonized System. The first 2 digits (39) identify the chapter, digits 3-4 (04) identify the heading, and digits 5-6 (90) specify the subheading. This code is standardized globally by the World Customs Organization.
What is the Brazil NCM code for HS code 390490?
Brazil splits HS code 390490 into 2 NCM codes: 3904.90.10 (Chlorinated PVC (CPVC)), 3904.90.90 (Other halogenated olefin polymers). The first 6 digits of each match the HS code.