HS code · 6-digit subheading
HS Code 3923.21 – Ethylene polymers; sacks and bags (including cones), for the conveyance or packing of goods
HS code 3923.21 is the 6-digit subheading for ethylene polymers, sacks and bags (including cones), for the conveyance or packing of goods. It is used for HDPE shopping bags, LDPE garbage bags, polyethylene produce bags, stretch film rolls and industrial PE sacks.
What HS 3923.21 covers
This specific code targets sacks and bags, including cones, made from ethylene polymers, primarily polyethylene (PE). These products are ubiquitous in packaging due to their versatility, cost-effectiveness, and barrier properties, ranging from simple shopping bags to heavy-duty industrial sacks. International trade in these goods is massive, driven by consumer goods, retail, agriculture, and industrial sectors worldwide. Importers are typically retailers, food processors, agricultural businesses, and industrial manufacturers, while exporters are large-scale plastic film and bag producers. Key considerations include film thickness, strength, printability, biodegradability (for certain types), and compliance with food safety regulations, all of which impact their market value and application. The environmental impact of these products is also a growing concern in global trade.
- Covers
- HDPE shopping bags
- LDPE garbage bags
- Polyethylene produce bags
- Stretch film rolls
- Industrial PE sacks
- Ziploc bags
- Plastic grocery bags
- Examples
- Glad trash bags
- Ziploc storage bags
- Hefty garbage bags
- T-shirt grocery bags
Codes often confused with 3923.21
Common mistake. Often confused with sacks and bags made from other plastics (392329) if the specific polymer type (ethylene) is not identified, or with plastic sheeting (392010) if not clearly formed into a bag.
Top exporters and importers of HS code 392321, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 392321 in UN Comtrade data was China, with 26% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was the United States, with 23% 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 $3.6B 26% of world exports
- 2 Vietnam* ~$1.1B 7.6% of world exports · partner records ↗
- 3 Germany $1.0B 7.4% of world exports
World total: $14.3B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 United States $3.2B 23% of world imports
- 2 Japan $1.1B 7.9% of world imports
- 3 Germany $947M 6.9% of world imports
World total: $13.7B 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 marked * did not, so their figures add up what other countries recorded trading with them, and their exports are valued at buyers' CIF prices. 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 3923.21 2
Brazil splits HS 3923.21 into 2 NCM codes, Mercosur's 8-digit tariff lines.
- 3923.21.10 Ethylene polymer bags, up to 1,000 cm³De capacidade inferior ou igual a 1.000 cm³
- 3923.21.90 Ethylene polymer sacks and bags over 1,000 cm³Outros
All Brazil NCM codes in heading 39.23 →
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text is official; the English is our translation.
Questions about HS 3923.21
What is HS code 392321?
HS code 392321 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Ethylene polymers; sacks and bags (including cones), for the conveyance or packing of goods. This specific code targets sacks and bags, including cones, made from ethylene polymers, primarily polyethylene (PE). These products are ubiquitous in packaging due to their versatility, cost-effectiveness, and barrier properties, ranging from simple shopping bags to heavy-duty industrial sacks. International trade in these goods is massive, driven by consumer goods, retail, agriculture, and industrial sectors worldwide. Importers are typically retailers, food processors, agricultural businesses, and industrial manufacturers, while exporters are large-scale plastic film and bag producers. Key considerations include film thickness, strength, printability, biodegradability (for certain types), and compliance with food safety regulations, all of which impact their market value and application. The environmental impact of these products is also a growing concern in global trade.
What products fall under HS code 392321?
HDPE shopping bags, LDPE garbage bags, Polyethylene produce bags, Stretch film rolls, Industrial PE sacks, Ziploc bags, Plastic grocery bags
What are common misclassifications for HS code 392321?
Often confused with sacks and bags made from other plastics (392329) if the specific polymer type (ethylene) is not identified, or with plastic sheeting (392010) if not clearly formed into a bag.
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 392321?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 392321 in UN Comtrade data were China ($3.6B, 26% of world exports), Vietnam (about $1.1B) and Germany ($1.0B). World exports came to about $14.3B, 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 392321?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 392321 in UN Comtrade data were the United States ($3.2B, 23% of world imports), Japan ($1.1B) and Germany ($947M). World imports came to about $13.7B, 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 392321 structured?
HS code 392321 is a 6-digit subheading under the Harmonized System. The first 2 digits (39) identify the chapter, digits 3-4 (23) identify the heading, and digits 5-6 (21) specify the subheading. This code is standardized globally by the World Customs Organization.
What is the Brazil NCM code for HS code 392321?
Brazil splits HS code 392321 into 2 NCM codes: 3923.21.10 (Ethylene polymer bags, up to 1,000 cm³), 3923.21.90 (Ethylene polymer sacks and bags over 1,000 cm³). The first 6 digits of each match the HS code.