Analysis
HTS 3923.21.00 covers of polymers of ethylene under heading 3923 (articles for the conveyance or packing of goods, of plastics; stoppers, lids, caps and…). US Customs collects import statistics for it under 6 ten-digit suffixes, reported in thousands.
The general duty rate is 3% of the customs value, which is at the low end of the rates in chapter 39 (16th percentile of 236 lines with an ad valorem rate). On a shipment valued at $10,000 that is $300 in duty before any Chapter 99 additions or preference claims.
Rates on the nearby lines range from duty-free to 5.3%. The costliest confusion would be with 3923.10.20 (specially shaped or fitted for the conveyance or packing of…) at duty-free, a difference of 3 points on the customs value.
The column 2 rate, for countries without normal trade relations, is 80%, 26.7 times the general rate.
Goods that qualify under GSP, the Australia FTA, the Bahrain FTA, the Chile FTA, the Colombia TPA, and 12 others can enter duty-free instead of paying 3%. It is also eligible under GSP, the developing-country programme, which Congress has to renew; check whether GSP is in force on the entry date.
The ten-digit suffixes separate with no single side exceeding 75 mm in…, other, with sliders that open or close…, with no single side exceeding 75 mm in… and polyethylene retail carrier bags. The duty is the same across them; the suffix matters for statistics, licensing and some quotas, and an entry needs all ten digits.
Statistical suffixes
| Code | Description | Units | NAICS |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3923.21.00.11 | With no single side exceeding 75 mm in length | thousands | 326111 |
| 3923.21.00.20 | Other, with sliders that open or close the seal | thousands | 326111 |
| 3923.21.00.30 | Other | thousands | 326111 |
| 3923.21.00.80 | With no single side exceeding 75 mm in length | thousands | 326111 |
| 3923.21.00.85 | Polyethylene retail carrier bags (PRCBs) with handles (including drawstrings), with no length or width shorter than 6 inches (152.4 mm) or longer than 40 inches (1,016 mm) | thousands | 326111 |
| 3923.21.00.95 | Other | thousands | 326111 |
Neighbouring lines
| Line | Description | General rate |
|---|---|---|
| 3923.10.20 | Specially shaped or fitted for the conveyance or packing of semiconductor wafers, masks or reticles of subheadings 3923.10 or 8486.90 | Free |
| 3923.10.90 | Boxes, cases, crates and similar articles: other | 3% |
| 3923.29.00 | Sacks and bags (including cones): of other plastics | 3% |
| 3923.30.00 | Carboys, bottles, flasks and similar articles | 3% |
| 3923.40.00 | Spools, cops, bobbins and similar supports | 5.3% |
| 3923.50.00 | Stoppers, lids, caps and other closures | 5.3% |
| 3923.90.00 | Articles for the conveyance or packing of goods, of plastics; stoppers, lids, caps and other closures, of plastics: other | 3% |