Product classification
HS code for PE pipe: 3917.21
Plastics, tubes, pipes and hoses thereof, rigid, of polymers of ethylene.
Classification of PE pipe under HS 3917.21
Polyethylene (PE) pipes are classified under HS code 3917.21 because they are rigid tubes and pipes made from polymers of ethylene. To qualify for this heading, the product must meet the definition of "tubes, pipes, and hoses" found in Note 8 to Chapter 39, which describes hollow products used for conveying or distributing gases or liquids. The classification is determined by two primary factors: the material composition (ethylene polymers) and the physical state (rigid). Polyethylene is a thermoplastic resin that provides high durability and chemical resistance, making it ideal for infrastructure. The "rigid" designation distinguishes these pipes from flexible tubing that can be coiled easily without structural damage. These pipes are typically produced via extrusion, where molten PE resin is forced through a die to create a continuous hollow shape. This code is essential for distinguishing basic plastic piping from reinforced hoses or pipes made of other plastic resins like PVC or polypropylene, which fall under different subheadings of 3917.
- Covers
- High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE) water pipes
- Rigid LDPE tubing for industrial use
- PE gas distribution pipes
- Rigid polyethylene conduits for electrical cables
- PE irrigation pipes
- Also under 3917.21
- Uponor PEX pipes (rigid)
- Wavin HDPE pipes
- JM Eagle PE pipes
- Georg Fischer PE piping systems
Codes often confused with 3917.21
Common mistake. PE pipes are frequently misclassified under 3917.31 or 3917.39. Code 3917.31 is for flexible pipes with a minimum burst pressure of 27.6 MPa, while 3917.39 is for other flexible plastic pipes. If the pipe is not rigid, it cannot stay in 3917.21. Another common error is using 3917.40, which is reserved for pipe fittings (like elbows and flanges) rather than the pipes themselves.
Top exporters and importers of HS 391721 (the code used for PE pipe), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 391721 (the code used for PE pipe) in UN Comtrade data was China, with 13% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Germany, with 11% of world imports. Countries that did not report 2025 data are estimated from partner records, which can understate them.
Figures cover everything classified under HS 391721, not only PE pipe.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 China $358M 13% of world exports
- 2 Germany $336M 12% of world exports
- 3 Italy $251M 8.8% of world exports
World total: $2.8B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 Germany $283M 11% of world imports
- 2 United States $181M 6.9% of world imports
- 3 Netherlands $114M 4.4% of world imports
World total: $2.6B 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 PE pipe
Brazil classifies PE pipe under NCM 3917.21.00: HS 3917.21 with 00 added.
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text on each NCM page is the official one.
Questions about PE pipe
What is the HS code for PE pipe?
The HS code for PE pipe is 391721 (Plastics; tubes, pipes and hoses thereof, rigid, of polymers of ethylene). The HS code for rigid pipes made of polymers of ethylene is 3917.21.
How do I classify PE pipe for customs?
PE pipe is classified under HS code 391721 — Plastics; tubes, pipes and hoses thereof, rigid, of polymers of ethylene. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.
Does 3917.21 include PE pipe fittings?
No, fittings such as joints, elbows, and flanges are classified under HS code 3917.40.
Which countries are the top exporters of PE pipe (HS 391721)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 391721 (the code used for PE pipe) in UN Comtrade data were China ($358M, 13% of world exports), Germany ($336M) and Italy ($251M). World exports came to about $2.8B, 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 PE pipe (HS 391721)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 391721 (the code used for PE pipe) in UN Comtrade data were Germany ($283M, 11% of world imports), the United States ($181M) and the Netherlands ($114M). World imports came to about $2.6B, 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.
Is the HS code for PE pipe the same in all countries?
The base HS code 391721 for PE pipe is internationally standardized for the first 6 digits across 200+ countries. Individual countries may add additional digits for national tariff lines and specific classifications.
What is the NCM code for PE pipe in Brazil?
In Brazil, PE pipe (HS 391721) is classified under NCM 3917.21.00.