HS code · 6-digit subheading
HS Code 3905.30 – Poly(vinyl alcohol); whether or not containing unhydrolysed acetate groups
HS code 3905.30 is the 6-digit subheading for poly(vinyl alcohol), whether or not containing unhydrolysed acetate groups. It is used for PVA powder, PVA granules, PVA films, PVA fibers and PVA solutions.
What HS 3905.30 covers
This code covers poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA), a synthetic polymer widely traded internationally for its unique properties. PVA is a water-soluble polymer known for its excellent film-forming, emulsifying, and adhesive characteristics. It's a crucial raw material in various industries, including textiles, paper, adhesives, packaging, and construction. Major importers are typically countries with strong manufacturing bases in these sectors, such as China, India, and European nations, which process PVA into finished goods. Exporters often include countries with significant chemical production capabilities like China, Japan, and the USA. Key things to know include its varying degrees of hydrolysis, which dictate its solubility and properties, and its role as an environmentally friendly alternative in some applications due to its biodegradability. The global trade in PVA is driven by demand for sustainable materials and its versatility in industrial applications, from thickeners in paints to binders in non-woven fabrics.
- Covers
- PVA powder
- PVA granules
- PVA films
- PVA fibers
- PVA solutions
- Water-soluble packaging
- Textile sizing agents
- Paper coatings
- Examples
- Kuraray Poval
- Sekisui Selvol
- Nippon Gohsei Gohsenol
- DuPont Elvanol
Codes often confused with 3905.30
Common mistake. This code might be confused with other vinyl polymers like 390591 (other vinyl acetate polymers) if the specific "alcohol" form is not clearly identified, or with 3904 (vinyl chloride polymers) if not carefully distinguished by chemical structure.
Top exporters and importers of HS code 390530, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 390530 in UN Comtrade data was China, with 31% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was the Netherlands, with 13% 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 China $387M 31% of world exports
- 2 United States $204M 16% of world exports
- 3 Japan $200M 16% of world exports
World total: $1.3B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 Netherlands $207M 13% of world imports
- 2 Germany $142M 8.8% of world imports
- 3 Belgium $141M 8.8% of world imports
World total: $1.6B 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 code for 3905.30
Brazil does not split HS 3905.30: its NCM code is 3905.30.00.
All Brazil NCM codes in heading 39.05 →
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text is official; the English is our translation.
Questions about HS 3905.30
What is HS code 390530?
HS code 390530 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Poly(vinyl alcohol); whether or not containing unhydrolysed acetate groups. This code covers poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA), a synthetic polymer widely traded internationally for its unique properties. PVA is a water-soluble polymer known for its excellent film-forming, emulsifying, and adhesive characteristics. It's a crucial raw material in various industries, including textiles, paper, adhesives, packaging, and construction. Major importers are typically countries with strong manufacturing bases in these sectors, such as China, India, and European nations, which process PVA into finished goods. Exporters often include countries with significant chemical production capabilities like China, Japan, and the USA. Key things to know include its varying degrees of hydrolysis, which dictate its solubility and properties, and its role as an environmentally friendly alternative in some applications due to its biodegradability. The global trade in PVA is driven by demand for sustainable materials and its versatility in industrial applications, from thickeners in paints to binders in non-woven fabrics.
What products fall under HS code 390530?
PVA powder, PVA granules, PVA films, PVA fibers, PVA solutions, water-soluble packaging, textile sizing agents, paper coatings
What are common misclassifications for HS code 390530?
This code might be confused with other vinyl polymers like 390591 (other vinyl acetate polymers) if the specific "alcohol" form is not clearly identified, or with 3904 (vinyl chloride polymers) if not carefully distinguished by chemical structure.
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 390530?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 390530 in UN Comtrade data were China ($387M, 31% of world exports), the United States ($204M) and Japan ($200M). World exports came to about $1.3B, 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 390530?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 390530 in UN Comtrade data were the Netherlands ($207M, 13% of world imports), Germany ($142M) and Belgium ($141M). World imports came to about $1.6B, 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 390530 structured?
HS code 390530 is a 6-digit subheading under the Harmonized System. The first 2 digits (39) identify the chapter, digits 3-4 (05) identify the heading, and digits 5-6 (30) specify the subheading. This code is standardized globally by the World Customs Organization.
What is the Brazil NCM code for HS code 390530?
In Brazil, HS code 390530 is NCM 3905.30.00. The last two digits are 00 because Brazil does not split this HS code further.