HS code · 6-digit subheading
HS Code 3905.99 – Vinyl acetate, vinyl ester polymers, vinyl polymers; n.e.c. in heading no. 3905, in primary forms, other than copolymers
HS code 3905.99 is the 6-digit subheading for vinyl acetate, vinyl ester polymers, vinyl polymers, n.e.c. in heading no. 3905, in primary forms, other than copolymers. It is used for poly(vinyl acetate) homopolymer, vinyl propionate homopolymer, vinyl butyrate homopolymer, poly(vinyl pivalate) and vinyl acetate emulsions.
What HS 3905.99 covers
This category covers vinyl acetate, vinyl ester polymers, and other vinyl polymers in primary forms that are not copolymers and are not specifically classified elsewhere within HS heading 3905. Essentially, this includes homopolymers of vinyl acetate and other vinyl esters. These polymers are critical raw materials for a wide range of industries, valued for their adhesive properties, film-forming capabilities, and versatility. They are extensively used in the production of adhesives, paints, coatings, textile binders, and paper coatings. Major importers are typically countries with large manufacturing bases that utilize these polymers in their end products, such as China, India, and various European nations. Exporters are often countries with strong chemical production capabilities, including Germany, the USA, and Japan. The trade in these "other" vinyl polymers is significant due to their foundational role in numerous industrial applications, providing cost-effective solutions for binding, sealing, and surface protection.
- Covers
- Poly(vinyl acetate) homopolymer
- Vinyl propionate homopolymer
- Vinyl butyrate homopolymer
- Poly(vinyl pivalate)
- Vinyl acetate emulsions
- Solid PVAc resins
- Examples
- Elvace (Celanese)
- Vinamul (Synthomer)
- Mowilith (Celanese)
- Vinnapas (Wacker)
Codes often confused with 3905.99
Common mistake. This code is often confused with 390591 (vinyl acetate copolymers) if the product is a blend or contains minor comonomers, or with 3904 (vinyl chloride polymers) if the "vinyl" aspect is broadly interpreted without chemical specificity.
Top exporters and importers of HS code 390599, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 390599 in UN Comtrade data was Germany, with 24% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was China, with 18% 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 Germany $260M 24% of world exports
- 2 United States $237M 22% of world exports
- 3 China $204M 19% of world exports
World total: $1.1B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 China $246M 18% of world imports
- 2 South Korea $116M 8.5% of world imports
- 3 Germany $115M 8.4% of world imports
World total: $1.4B 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 3905.99 4
Brazil splits HS 3905.99 into 4 NCM codes, Mercosur's 8-digit tariff lines.
- 3905.99.10 Poly(vinyl formal)Poli(vinilformal)
- 3905.99.20 Poly(vinyl butyral) (PVB)Poli(butiral de vinila)
- 3905.99.30 Povidone-iodine (iodinated PVP)Poli(vinilpirrolidona) iodada
- 3905.99.90 Other vinyl polymers in primary formsOutros
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 3905.99
What is HS code 390599?
HS code 390599 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Vinyl acetate, vinyl ester polymers, vinyl polymers; n.e.c. in heading no. 3905, in primary forms, other than copolymers. This category covers vinyl acetate, vinyl ester polymers, and other vinyl polymers in primary forms that are not copolymers and are not specifically classified elsewhere within HS heading 3905. Essentially, this includes homopolymers of vinyl acetate and other vinyl esters. These polymers are critical raw materials for a wide range of industries, valued for their adhesive properties, film-forming capabilities, and versatility. They are extensively used in the production of adhesives, paints, coatings, textile binders, and paper coatings. Major importers are typically countries with large manufacturing bases that utilize these polymers in their end products, such as China, India, and various European nations. Exporters are often countries with strong chemical production capabilities, including Germany, the USA, and Japan. The trade in these "other" vinyl polymers is significant due to their foundational role in numerous industrial applications, providing cost-effective solutions for binding, sealing, and surface protection.
What products fall under HS code 390599?
Poly(vinyl acetate) homopolymer, vinyl propionate homopolymer, vinyl butyrate homopolymer, poly(vinyl pivalate), vinyl acetate emulsions, solid PVAc resins
What are common misclassifications for HS code 390599?
This code is often confused with 390591 (vinyl acetate copolymers) if the product is a blend or contains minor comonomers, or with 3904 (vinyl chloride polymers) if the "vinyl" aspect is broadly interpreted without chemical specificity.
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 390599?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 390599 in UN Comtrade data were Germany ($260M, 24% of world exports), the United States ($237M) and China ($204M). World exports came to about $1.1B, 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 390599?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 390599 in UN Comtrade data were China ($246M, 18% of world imports), South Korea ($116M) and Germany ($115M). World imports came to about $1.4B, 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 390599 structured?
HS code 390599 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 (99) specify the subheading. This code is standardized globally by the World Customs Organization.
What is the Brazil NCM code for HS code 390599?
Brazil splits HS code 390599 into 4 NCM codes: 3905.99.10 (Poly(vinyl formal)), 3905.99.20 (Poly(vinyl butyral) (PVB)), 3905.99.30 (Povidone-iodine (iodinated PVP)), 3905.99.90 (Other vinyl polymers in primary forms). The first 6 digits of each match the HS code.