Product classification
HS code for Polyethylene foil: 3920.10
Plastics, plates, sheets, film, foil and strip (not self-adhesive), of polymers of ethylene, non-cellular and not reinforced, laminated, supported or similarly combined with other materials.
Classification of polyethylene foil under HS 3920.10
Polyethylene foil is classified under HS code 3920.10 because it falls within the category of plastics and articles thereof. Specifically, heading 3920 covers other plates, sheets, film, foil, and strip of plastics that are non-cellular and not reinforced, laminated, supported, or similarly combined with other materials. Since polyethylene is a polymer of ethylene, and the foil form is a flat, thin sheet, it is categorized under the subheading 3920.10. This classification is determined by the material composition (polymers of ethylene) and the physical form (non-adhesive, non-cellular, and non-reinforced foil). The General Rules for the Interpretation of the Harmonized System (GRI) dictate that products are classified according to the terms of the headings and any relative section or chapter notes. In this case, Chapter 39 Note 10 defines the scope of "plates, sheets, film, foil and strip" as only those which have not been cut to shape or have been cut into rectangles but not further worked. This ensures that raw rolls or large sheets of PE foil are correctly identified before they are converted into specific consumer goods like bags or packaging.
- Covers
- LDPE (Low-Density Polyethylene) film
- HDPE (High-Density Polyethylene) sheets
- Non-adhesive polyethylene wrap
- Agricultural PE mulch film
- Industrial PE stretch wrap (non-adhesive)
- Clear polyethylene foil rolls
- Also under 3920.10
- Glad Cling Wrap (LDPE)
- Tyvek HomeWrap (base film is HDPE)
- pallet stretch film
- greenhouse film
- pond liners (HDPE sheet)
Codes often confused with 3920.10
Common mistake. A common error is classifying PE foil under 3919.10 or 3919.90. These codes are reserved for self-adhesive plates, sheets, film, foil, and strip. If the PE foil has a pressure-sensitive adhesive layer, it must move to 3919. Another frequent mistake is using 3921.19, which covers cellular plastics. If the foil has a foam-like structure (cellular), 3920 is incorrect. Furthermore, if the foil is reinforced with a metal mesh or laminated with another material like aluminum, it should be classified under 3921.90. Importers often confuse these based on the end-use rather than the physical construction.
Top exporters and importers of HS 392010 (the code used for polyethylene foil), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 392010 (the code used for polyethylene foil) in UN Comtrade data was China, with 17% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was the United States, 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 392010, not only polyethylene foil.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 China $3.5B 17% of world exports
- 2 Germany $2.3B 11% of world exports
- 3 United States $1.6B 7.7% of world exports
World total: $20.4B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 United States $2.2B 11% of world imports
- 2 Germany $1.4B 7.0% of world imports
- 3 France $985M 5.0% of world imports
World total: $19.7B 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 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 polyethylene foil
Brazil splits HS 3920.10 into 3 NCM codes. Pick the one that matches your product:
- 3920.10.10Ethylene polymer film, density 0.94+, max 19 µm
- 3920.10.91Ethylene polymer film for battery separators
- 3920.10.99Other ethylene polymer plates, sheets and film
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text on each NCM page is the official one.
Questions about polyethylene foil
What is the HS code for Polyethylene foil?
The HS code for Polyethylene foil is 392010 (Plastics; plates, sheets, film, foil and strip (not self-adhesive), of polymers of ethylene, non-cellular and not reinforced, laminated, supported or similarly combined with other materials). The standard HS code for non-adhesive, non-cellular polyethylene foil is 3920.10.
How do I classify Polyethylene foil for customs?
Polyethylene foil is classified under HS code 392010 — Plastics; plates, sheets, film, foil and strip (not self-adhesive), of polymers of ethylene, non-cellular and not reinforced, laminated, supported or similarly combined with other materials. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.
Is 3D printer filament classified as PE foil?
No, 3D printer filament is usually classified under 3916.10 as a monofilament of polymers of ethylene, provided its cross-sectional dimension exceeds 1mm.
Which countries are the top exporters of polyethylene foil (HS 392010)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 392010 (the code used for polyethylene foil) in UN Comtrade data were China ($3.5B, 17% of world exports), Germany ($2.3B) and the United States ($1.6B). World exports came to about $20.4B, 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 polyethylene foil (HS 392010)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 392010 (the code used for polyethylene foil) in UN Comtrade data were the United States ($2.2B, 11% of world imports), Germany ($1.4B) and France ($985M). World imports came to about $19.7B, 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 Polyethylene foil the same in all countries?
The base HS code 392010 for Polyethylene foil 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 polyethylene foil in Brazil?
Brazil splits HS 392010 into 3 NCM codes, so the right one for polyethylene foil depends on the product's details: 3920.10.10 (Ethylene polymer film, density 0.94+, max 19 µm), 3920.10.91 (Ethylene polymer film for battery separators), 3920.10.99 (Other ethylene polymer plates, sheets and film).