Product classification
HS code for Plastic bottles: 3923.30
Plastics, carboys, bottles, flasks and similar articles, for the conveyance or packing of goods.
Classification of plastic bottles under HS 3923.30
Plastic bottles are classified under HS code 3923.30. Chapter 39 of the Harmonized System covers plastics and articles thereof. Within this chapter, heading 3923 is designated for articles for the conveyance or packing of goods, of plastics; stoppers, lids, caps and other closures, of plastics. Subheading 3923.30 specifically identifies carboys, bottles, flasks, and similar articles. This classification is based on the intended use of the product as a container for the transport or commercial packaging of various liquids or solids. It is important to note that the material composition must be predominantly plastic to qualify under this heading. The classification applies to bottles of all shapes and sizes, provided they are intended for the conveyance or packing of goods. This includes everything from small pharmaceutical bottles to large industrial carboys. The HS code 3923.30 is used globally to monitor the trade of plastic packaging, which is a significant component of international commerce. Customs authorities look for the primary function of the article; if the bottle is designed for long-term domestic use as tableware, it might be classified elsewhere, but the vast majority of commercial plastic bottles fall under this specific code.
- Covers
- Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) beverage bottles
- High-density polyethylene (HDPE) milk and detergent jugs
- Plastic flasks for pharmaceutical use
- Polypropylene (PP) squeeze bottles for condiments
- Plastic carboys for industrial chemical transport
- Small plastic vials for laboratory samples
- Also under 3923.30
- Coca-Cola PET bottles
- Tide HDPE detergent bottles
- Nalgene laboratory bottles
- Evian water bottles
Codes often confused with 3923.30
Common mistake. A frequent misclassification occurs when plastic bottles are placed under HS code 3924.10, which covers tableware and kitchenware. While a plastic bottle can be used in a kitchen, 3923.30 is the specific code for bottles used for the conveyance or packing of goods. If the bottle is sold empty as a consumer product for household storage, 3924.90 might be considered, but 3923.30 remains the standard for industrial and commercial packaging. Another error involves plastic preforms, which are sometimes incorrectly classified as finished bottles under 3923.30; however, preforms are usually classified under 3923.90 as other articles for conveyance or packing, or under 3926.90 as other articles of plastics, depending on the local customs ruling.
Top exporters and importers of HS 392330 (the code used for plastic bottles), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 392330 (the code used for plastic bottles) in UN Comtrade data was China, with 17% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was France, with 12% 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 392330, not only plastic bottles.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 China $2.1B 17% of world exports
- 2 France $1.1B 9.4% of world exports
- 3 Germany $966M 8.1% of world exports
World total: $12.0B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 France $1.4B 12% of world imports
- 2 United States $1.2B 10% of world imports
- 3 Germany $857M 7.4% of world imports
World total: $11.6B 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 codes for plastic bottles
Brazil splits HS 3923.30 into 2 NCM codes. Pick the one that matches your product:
- 3923.30.10Plastic containers for LPG
- 3923.30.90Other plastic carboys, bottles and flasks
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text on each NCM page is the official one.
Questions about plastic bottles
What is the HS code for Plastic bottles?
The HS code for Plastic bottles is 392330 (Plastics; carboys, bottles, flasks and similar articles, for the conveyance or packing of goods). The HS code for plastic bottles used for the conveyance or packing of goods is 3923.30.
How do I classify Plastic bottles for customs?
Plastic bottles is classified under HS code 392330 — Plastics; carboys, bottles, flasks and similar articles, for the conveyance or packing of goods. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.
Does this code include the caps attached to the bottles?
If the bottles are imported with their caps fitted, they are generally classified together under 3923.30. However, caps imported separately are classified under 3923.50.
Which countries are the top exporters of plastic bottles (HS 392330)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 392330 (the code used for plastic bottles) in UN Comtrade data were China ($2.1B, 17% of world exports), France ($1.1B) and Germany ($966M). World exports came to about $12.0B, 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 plastic bottles (HS 392330)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 392330 (the code used for plastic bottles) in UN Comtrade data were France ($1.4B, 12% of world imports), the United States ($1.2B) and Germany ($857M). World imports came to about $11.6B, 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 Plastic bottles the same in all countries?
The base HS code 392330 for Plastic bottles 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 plastic bottles in Brazil?
Brazil splits HS 392330 into 2 NCM codes, so the right one for plastic bottles depends on the product's details: 3923.30.10 (Plastic containers for LPG), 3923.30.90 (Other plastic carboys, bottles and flasks).