Product classification
HS code for Plastic elbow: 3917.40
Plastics, tube, pipe and hose fittings (e.g. joints, elbows, flanges).
Classification of plastic elbow under HS 3917.40
Plastic elbows are classified under HS code 3917.40, which is designated for fittings for tubes, pipes, and hoses made of plastic. This includes joints, elbows, flanges, and couplings. The classification is determined by the function of the item as a connector within a piping system. Chapter 39, heading 3917, covers not only the tubes and pipes themselves but also the components required to join them or change their direction. Plastic elbows are typically manufactured through injection molding and are used in a wide range of applications, from residential plumbing to industrial chemical transport. The material can vary from PVC and CPVC to Polyethylene (PE) or Polypropylene (PP), but as long as the primary material is a polymer and the function is a pipe fitting, 3917.40 is the appropriate code. This classification applies regardless of whether the elbow is threaded, socketed, or intended for solvent welding.
- Covers
- PVC 90-degree elbows
- Polypropylene T-joints and elbows
- CPVC 45-degree elbows for hot water
- High-density polyethylene (HDPE) pipe bends
- Plastic compression elbows for irrigation
- Also under 3917.40
- Schedule 40 PVC coupling
- SharkBite PEX fittings
- John Guest push-fit connectors
- plastic garden hose quick connectors
- CPVC solvent weld fittings
Codes often confused with 3917.40
Common mistake. The most frequent misclassification is HS code 3926.90, the residual category for other plastic articles. However, because 3917.40 specifically mentions pipe fittings, it must be used according to GIR 1. Another error involves HS code 7307, which is for tube or pipe fittings made of iron or steel. It is critical to verify the material composition; even if the fitting is used in a heavy industrial setting, if it is made of plastic, it cannot be classified in Chapter 73.
Top exporters and importers of HS 391740 (the code used for plastic elbow), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 391740 (the code used for plastic elbow) in UN Comtrade data was Germany, with 18% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Germany, with 9.8% 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 391740, not only plastic elbow.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 Germany $1.5B 18% of world exports
- 2 United States $1.1B 13% of world exports
- 3 China $1.1B 13% of world exports
World total: $8.5B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 Germany $869M 9.8% of world imports
- 2 United States $689M 7.8% of world imports
- 3 Mexico $596M 6.7% of world imports
World total: $8.9B 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 elbow
Brazil splits HS 3917.40 into 2 NCM codes. Pick the one that matches your product:
- 3917.40.10Plastic fittings for haemodialysis blood lines
- 3917.40.90Other plastic tube, pipe and hose fittings
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text on each NCM page is the official one.
Questions about plastic elbow
What is the HS code for Plastic elbow?
The HS code for Plastic elbow is 391740 (Plastics; tube, pipe and hose fittings (e.g. joints, elbows, flanges)). The HS code for a plastic elbow used as a pipe fitting is 3917.40.
How do I classify Plastic elbow for customs?
Plastic elbow is classified under HS code 391740 — Plastics; tube, pipe and hose fittings (e.g. joints, elbows, flanges). This is a 6-digit subheading level code.
Are industrial plastic fittings classified differently?
No, the HS code 3917.40 applies to plastic pipe fittings regardless of whether they are for domestic plumbing, agricultural irrigation, or industrial use.
Which countries are the top exporters of plastic elbow (HS 391740)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 391740 (the code used for plastic elbow) in UN Comtrade data were Germany ($1.5B, 18% of world exports), the United States ($1.1B) and China ($1.1B). World exports came to about $8.5B, 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 elbow (HS 391740)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 391740 (the code used for plastic elbow) in UN Comtrade data were Germany ($869M, 9.8% of world imports), the United States ($689M) and Mexico ($596M). World imports came to about $8.9B, 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 elbow the same in all countries?
The base HS code 391740 for Plastic elbow 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 elbow in Brazil?
Brazil splits HS 391740 into 2 NCM codes, so the right one for plastic elbow depends on the product's details: 3917.40.10 (Plastic fittings for haemodialysis blood lines), 3917.40.90 (Other plastic tube, pipe and hose fittings).