Product classification
HS code for Polyethylene pipe: 3917.21
Plastics, tubes, pipes and hoses thereof, rigid, of polymers of ethylene.
Classification of polyethylene pipe under HS 3917.21
Polyethylene pipes are classified under HS code 3917.21, which is designated for rigid tubes, pipes, and hoses made of polymers of ethylene. This classification is governed by the General Interpretative Rules (GIR) and the specific definitions provided in Chapter 39 of the Harmonized System. Heading 3917 covers all plastic piping, but the sub-classification 3917.21 is reserved for products that are "rigid." In the context of customs classification, a pipe is considered rigid if it cannot be bent by hand at room temperature (15 to 30 degrees Celsius) without breaking or becoming permanently deformed. Most High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE) pipes used in water mains, gas distribution, and industrial drainage meet this definition. The classification process involves verifying that the primary constituent material is a polymer of ethylene and that the product is a finished tube or pipe intended for the conveyance of gases or liquids.
- Covers
- HDPE (High-Density Polyethylene) water pipes
- Rigid PE gas distribution pipes
- Polyethylene conduit for electrical cables
- Rigid irrigation pipes made of ethylene polymers
- PE-RT (Polyethylene of Raised Temperature) rigid pipes
- Also under 3917.21
- Uponor PEX pipes (rigid)
- Wavin HDPE pipes
- JM Eagle PE pipes
- Georg Fischer PE piping systems
Codes often confused with 3917.21
Common mistake. Polyethylene pipes are often misclassified under 3917.32 or 3917.39. Code 3917.32 refers to flexible tubes and pipes that are not reinforced and do not have fittings. If a PE pipe is flexible enough to be coiled and bent by hand without damage, it may move from 3917.21 to the flexible categories. Another common error is using 3917.40, which is reserved for pipe fittings (like elbows and flanges) rather than the pipes themselves.
Top exporters and importers of HS 391721 (the code used for polyethylene pipe), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 391721 (the code used for polyethylene pipe) in UN Comtrade data was China, with 13% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Germany, 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 391721, not only polyethylene pipe.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 China $358M 13% of world exports
- 2 Germany $336M 12% of world exports
- 3 Italy $251M 8.8% of world exports
World total: $2.8B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 Germany $283M 11% of world imports
- 2 United States $181M 6.9% of world imports
- 3 Netherlands $114M 4.4% of world imports
World total: $2.6B 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 code for polyethylene pipe
Brazil classifies polyethylene pipe under NCM 3917.21.00: HS 3917.21 with 00 added.
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text on each NCM page is the official one.
Questions about polyethylene pipe
What is the HS code for Polyethylene pipe?
The HS code for Polyethylene pipe is 391721 (Plastics; tubes, pipes and hoses thereof, rigid, of polymers of ethylene). The standard HS code for rigid polyethylene pipe is 3917.21.
How do I classify Polyethylene pipe for customs?
Polyethylene pipe is classified under HS code 391721 — Plastics; tubes, pipes and hoses thereof, rigid, of polymers of ethylene. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.
Does this code include flexible PE tubing?
No, flexible PE tubing is generally classified under 3917.32 if it is not reinforced, as 3917.21 is strictly for rigid structures.
Which countries are the top exporters of polyethylene pipe (HS 391721)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 391721 (the code used for polyethylene pipe) in UN Comtrade data were China ($358M, 13% of world exports), Germany ($336M) and Italy ($251M). World exports came to about $2.8B, 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 pipe (HS 391721)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 391721 (the code used for polyethylene pipe) in UN Comtrade data were Germany ($283M, 11% of world imports), the United States ($181M) and the Netherlands ($114M). World imports came to about $2.6B, 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 Polyethylene pipe the same in all countries?
The base HS code 391721 for Polyethylene pipe 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 pipe in Brazil?
In Brazil, polyethylene pipe (HS 391721) is classified under NCM 3917.21.00.