Product classification
HS code for PE sacks: 3923.21
Ethylene polymers, sacks and bags (including cones), for the conveyance or packing of goods.
Classification of PE sacks under HS 3923.21
Sacks and bags made of ethylene polymers are classified under HS code 3923.21. This classification falls under the broader heading 3923, which covers articles for the conveyance or packing of goods. These products are classified here because they are finished articles designed specifically for containment during transport or storage. Polyethylene (PE) is the most common material for these items due to its moisture resistance and tensile strength. The code includes a wide variety of bag types, from thin high-density polyethylene (HDPE) retail bags to heavy-duty low-density polyethylene (LDPE) industrial sacks. The classification logic is based on the material (polymers of ethylene) and the function (packing/conveyance). Whether the bag is transparent, colored, printed, or fitted with closures like zippers or drawstrings, it remains under 3923.21 as long as the primary material is PE. This code is vital for trade statistics as it tracks the massive global volume of plastic packaging materials and helps in the implementation of plastic waste regulations and tariffs.
- Covers
- PE grocery and retail shopping bags
- Polyethylene trash and refuse bags
- Industrial PE shipping sacks
- Ziplock-style PE storage bags
- PE vacuum packaging bags for food
- Also under 3923.21
- Glad trash bags
- Ziploc storage bags
- Hefty garbage bags
- T-shirt grocery bags
Codes often confused with 3923.21
Common mistake. PE sacks are often confused with 3923.29, which is for sacks and bags made of "other plastics" like PVC or polypropylene. Accurate material identification is required. They are also sometimes misclassified under 6305, which covers sacks and bags used for packing but made of textile materials. If the bag is made of woven plastic strips (raffia) and is less than 5mm wide, it might be considered a textile under certain jurisdictions, though most PE bags are clearly plastic film.
Top exporters and importers of HS 392321 (the code used for PE sacks), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 392321 (the code used for PE sacks) 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.
Figures cover everything classified under HS 392321, not only PE sacks.
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 PE sacks
Brazil splits HS 3923.21 into 2 NCM codes. Pick the one that matches your product:
- 3923.21.10Ethylene polymer bags, up to 1,000 cm³
- 3923.21.90Ethylene polymer sacks and bags over 1,000 cm³
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text on each NCM page is the official one.
Questions about PE sacks
What is the HS code for PE sacks?
The HS code for PE sacks is 392321 (Ethylene polymers; sacks and bags (including cones), for the conveyance or packing of goods). The HS code for sacks and bags made of polymers of ethylene is 3923.21.
How do I classify PE sacks for customs?
PE sacks is classified under HS code 392321 — Ethylene polymers; sacks and bags (including cones), for the conveyance or packing of goods. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.
Are biodegradable PE bags classified here?
Yes, if the primary component is still a polymer of ethylene, they are classified under 3923.21 regardless of biodegradable additives.
Which countries are the top exporters of PE sacks (HS 392321)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 392321 (the code used for PE sacks) 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 PE sacks (HS 392321)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 392321 (the code used for PE sacks) 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.
Is the HS code for PE sacks the same in all countries?
The base HS code 392321 for PE sacks 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 sacks in Brazil?
Brazil splits HS 392321 into 2 NCM codes, so the right one for PE sacks depends on the product's details: 3923.21.10 (Ethylene polymer bags, up to 1,000 cm³), 3923.21.90 (Ethylene polymer sacks and bags over 1,000 cm³).