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HSChapter 39
U.S. imports of poly(lactic acid), primary forms (HS 390770) totaled $2.0M in April 2026, traded with 14 countries.
Importers of Poly(Lactic Acid), Primary Forms paid $124K in duties in April 2026 — an effective duty rate of 6.5% on $1.9M in dutiable value, based on actual customs collections rather than the published tariff schedule. Poly(Lactic Acid), Primary Forms imports of $2.0M in April 2026 ran 17% above the year-to-date monthly average of $1.7M.
Last updated: April 2026 dataPoly(lactic acid)—commonly abbreviated PLA—is a bio-based, compostable thermoplastic derived from fermented plant sugars, positioned as a renewable alternative to conventional polyesters in packaging, serviceware, and 3D printing filaments. Thailand is the leading US import source, with the Netherlands and Germany also supplying meaningful volumes, reflecting the global distribution of large-scale PLA production capacity. Classified under a single 10-digit line (3907700000), PLA's compostability claims are governed by ASTM D6400 or EN 13432 standards, and importers should ensure that marketing claims align with the applicable certification to avoid FTC Green Guides scrutiny. The heading was introduced in the 2017 HS revision, underscoring PLA's growing commercial significance.
AI-written summary of the official U.S. Census Bureau trade figures on this page — verify before relying on it.
There is no standalone HTS preference or duty exemption based solely on bio-based content. PLA's classification under 3907.70 is determined by its chemical structure, not its feedstock origin. For government procurement, USDA's BioPreferred Program designates bio-based products for federal purchasing preference, but this is a procurement program, not a customs duty preference. Importers should not conflate the two.
Industrial compostability claims typically require certification to ASTM D6400 (US standard) or EN 13432 (European standard), issued by a recognized third-party certifier such as BPI (Biodegradable Products Institute) in the US. These certifications are not required for customs clearance but are essential for downstream marketing compliance under FTC Green Guides and for acceptance by composting facilities. Importers should obtain and retain the relevant certificates from their supplier.
| Country | Imports | Exports | Balance |
|---|---|---|---|
| CHINA | $3K | $8.1M | +$8.1M |
| NETHERLANDS | $157K | $3.9M | +$3.8M |
| THAILAND | $937K | $2.7M | +$1.8M |
| TAIWAN | $2K | $1.7M | +$1.7M |
| GERMANY | $867K | $428K | -$440K |
Monthly import values over time
HS10 import codes under this HS6 parent. Source: U.S. Harmonized Tariff Schedule.
| Code | Description | Import Value | Effective Tariff % | Duty Collected |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3907700000 | POLY(LACTIC ACID) | $2.0M | 6.55% | $124K |
POLY(LACTIC ACID)
HS10 export codes under this HS6 parent. Source: U.S. Schedule B export classification.
| Code | Description | Export Value |
|---|---|---|
| 3907700000 | POLY(LACTIC ACID) | $22.5M |
POLY(LACTIC ACID)
9.6M kg
ARTICLES OF PLASTICS, NESOI
HS 392690
FLOOR, WALL, ETC COVERS, VINYL CHLORIDE POLYMERS
HS 391810
TABLEWARE AND KITCHENWARE OF PLASTICS
HS 392410
SACKS & BAGS (INCL CONES) OF POLYMERS OF ETHYLENE
HS 392321
HOUSEHOLD AND TOILET ARTICLES NESOI OF PLASTICS
HS 392490
PLATES, SHEETS ETC, NON-CELL ETC, POLYMER
HS 392010
Supplier Network
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| Port | Imports | Exports | Balance |
|---|---|---|---|
| LOS ANGELES, CA | $13K | $10.4M | +$10.4M |
| LONG BEACH, CA | -- | $3.0M | +$3.0M |
| NORFOLK-NEWPORT NEWS, VA | -- | $2.7M | +$2.7M |