Product classification
HS code for Polystyrene scrap: 3915.20
Styrene polymers, waste, parings and scrap.
Classification of polystyrene scrap under HS 3915.20
Polystyrene scrap is classified under HS code 391520. This code is part of heading 3915, which covers waste, parings, and scrap of plastics. According to the General Rules of Interpretation and the Chapter 39 notes, this heading is intended for plastic materials that are no longer usable for their original purpose due to breakage, wear, or manufacturing defects. Sub-heading 391520 is specific to polymers of styrene. This includes industrial off-cuts, rejected molded parts, and post-consumer polystyrene waste intended for recycling or recovery of chemicals. It is important to note that for material to be classified as scrap, it must generally require further processing (such as grinding or melting) before it can be used in a manufacturing process. If the scrap has already been re-granulated into uniform pellets, its classification may shift back to primary forms.
- Covers
- Broken polystyrene articles for recycling
- Manufacturing waste and parings of polystyrene
- Used polystyrene packaging for material recovery
- Polystyrene shavings and sawdust
- Rejected polystyrene injection-molded components
- Also under 3915.20
- Recycled PS pellets
- Recycled EPS foam
- Post-consumer PS waste
- HIPS regrind
- PS plastic bales
Codes often confused with 3915.20
Common mistake. A frequent misclassification occurs when polystyrene scrap is processed into uniform granules or pellets; in such cases, it may be classified under 390319 (Primary forms) instead of 391520. Customs authorities often distinguish between "waste" and "recycled resin" based on the uniformity and cleanliness of the product. Another error is using 391590, which is the "other" category for plastic waste. Since there is a specific sub-heading for styrene polymers (391520), it must be used preferentially over the general 391590 code. Finally, if the scrap is contaminated with other materials (like metal or paper), it may require classification based on the component that gives it its essential character.
Top exporters and importers of HS 391520 (the code used for polystyrene scrap), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 391520 (the code used for polystyrene scrap) in UN Comtrade data was Spain, with 21% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Spain, with 22% 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 391520, not only polystyrene scrap.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 Spain $43M 21% of world exports
- 2 Japan $39M 19% of world exports
- 3 United States $22M 11% of world exports
World total: $206M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 Spain $32M 22% of world imports
- 2 Germany $14M 9.9% of world imports
- 3 Czechia $14M 9.6% of world imports
World total: $145M 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 polystyrene scrap
Brazil classifies polystyrene scrap under NCM 3915.20.00: HS 3915.20 with 00 added.
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text on each NCM page is the official one.
Questions about polystyrene scrap
What is the HS code for Polystyrene scrap?
The HS code for Polystyrene scrap is 391520 (Styrene polymers; waste, parings and scrap). The HS code for waste, parings, and scrap of polymers of styrene is 391520.
How do I classify Polystyrene scrap for customs?
Polystyrene scrap is classified under HS code 391520 — Styrene polymers; waste, parings and scrap. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.
Can I use this code for recycled polystyrene pellets?
Generally, no. If the scrap has been processed into uniform pellets for use as a raw material, it is usually classified under HS code 390319 as a primary form.
Which countries are the top exporters of polystyrene scrap (HS 391520)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 391520 (the code used for polystyrene scrap) in UN Comtrade data were Spain ($43M, 21% of world exports), Japan ($39M) and the United States ($22M). World exports came to about $206M, 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 polystyrene scrap (HS 391520)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 391520 (the code used for polystyrene scrap) in UN Comtrade data were Spain ($32M, 22% of world imports), Germany ($14M) and Czechia ($14M). World imports came to about $145M, 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 Polystyrene scrap the same in all countries?
The base HS code 391520 for Polystyrene scrap 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 polystyrene scrap in Brazil?
In Brazil, polystyrene scrap (HS 391520) is classified under NCM 3915.20.00.