Product classification
HS code for Plastic rod: 3916.90
Plastics, monofilament, of plastics n.e.c. in heading no. 3916, cross-sectional dimension exceeds 1mm, rods, sticks and profile shapes, whether or not surface-worked but not otherwise worked.
Classification of plastic rod under HS 3916.90
HS code 3916.90 covers plastic monofilament of which any cross-sectional dimension exceeds 1 mm, as well as rods, sticks, and profile shapes, made of plastics other than polymers of ethylene, vinyl chloride, or polycarbonates. These items are classified as semi-finished products. To fall under this heading, the rods must not have been worked further than surface-worked (such as polished or colored). If the rods have been cut to a specific length that exceeds the width but are otherwise unprocessed, they remain in 3916. However, if they are worked into specific parts for machines or tools, they move to other headings. The classification 3916.90 acts as the "other" category for polymers like nylon (polyamides), acrylic (polymethyl methacrylate), or acetal (POM), which are common in industrial engineering applications.
- Covers
- Nylon (polyamide) engineering rods
- Acrylic (PMMA) solid sticks
- Acetal (POM) round bars
- PTFE (Teflon) rods for machining
- Fiber-reinforced plastic profile shapes
- Also under 3916.90
- Delrin (POM) machining stock
- Lexan (PC) structural profiles
- Teflon (PTFE) rods for chemical applications
- Ultem (PEI) aerospace profiles
Codes often confused with 3916.90
Common mistake. Plastic rods are often misclassified under 3916.10 (polymers of ethylene) or 3916.20 (polymers of vinyl chloride). Accurate material identification via a Technical Data Sheet (TDS) is required to distinguish these. Furthermore, if a rod is cut to a very short length for use as a specific component, it may be misclassified as a finished article under 3926.90 rather than a semi-finished rod under 3916.90.
Top exporters and importers of HS 391690 (the code used for plastic rod), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 391690 (the code used for plastic rod) in UN Comtrade data was China, with 29% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Germany, with 9.0% 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 391690, not only plastic rod.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 China $1.1B 29% of world exports
- 2 Germany $706M 19% of world exports
- 3 United States $292M 7.8% of world exports
World total: $3.7B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 Germany $274M 9.0% of world imports
- 2 United States $248M 8.2% of world imports
- 3 France $149M 4.9% of world imports
World total: $3.0B 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 rod
Brazil splits HS 3916.90 into 2 NCM codes. Pick the one that matches your product:
- 3916.90.10Monofilament of other plastics, over 1 mm
- 3916.90.90Rods, sticks and profiles of other plastics
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text on each NCM page is the official one.
Questions about plastic rod
What is the HS code for Plastic rod?
The HS code for Plastic rod is 391690 (Plastics; monofilament, of plastics n.e.c. in heading no. 3916, cross-sectional dimension exceeds 1mm, rods, sticks and profile shapes, whether or not surface-worked but not otherwise worked). The HS code for plastic rods made of "other" plastics (like nylon or acrylic) is 3916.90.
How do I classify Plastic rod for customs?
Plastic rod is classified under HS code 391690 — Plastics; monofilament, of plastics n.e.c. in heading no. 3916, cross-sectional dimension exceeds 1mm, rods, sticks and profile shapes, whether or not surface-worked but not otherwise worked. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.
What if the plastic rod has a diameter of less than 1 mm?
If the cross-sectional dimension is 1 mm or less, it is generally classified as textile yarn in Section XI, specifically under heading 5404 for synthetic monofilament.
Which countries are the top exporters of plastic rod (HS 391690)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 391690 (the code used for plastic rod) in UN Comtrade data were China ($1.1B, 29% of world exports), Germany ($706M) and the United States ($292M). World exports came to about $3.7B, 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.
Which countries are the top importers of plastic rod (HS 391690)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 391690 (the code used for plastic rod) in UN Comtrade data were Germany ($274M, 9.0% of world imports), the United States ($248M) and France ($149M). World imports came to about $3.0B, 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.
Is the HS code for Plastic rod the same in all countries?
The base HS code 391690 for Plastic rod 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 rod in Brazil?
Brazil splits HS 391690 into 2 NCM codes, so the right one for plastic rod depends on the product's details: 3916.90.10 (Monofilament of other plastics, over 1 mm), 3916.90.90 (Rods, sticks and profiles of other plastics).