U.S. exports of High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE) in Primary Forms (HS 390120) totaled $539.9M in August 2026.
Importers of High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE) in Primary Forms paid $1.1M in duties in August 2026, an average duty rate of 0.83% — duty actually collected as a share of the imports that cleared customs, not the published tariff schedule.
Last updated: August 2026 dataPolyethylene with a specific gravity of 0.94 or more — commonly known as HDPE — is a foundational resin for pipe, blow-molded containers, film, and geomembranes. The US tariff schedule subdivides this heading into a viscosity-differentiated line (3901201000, covering material with viscosity ≥1.44) and a residual NESOI line (3901205000), a distinction that matters for resin compounders specifying melt-flow characteristics. Canada and Mexico are the leading suppliers, with South Korea also a notable source; USMCA origin rules can affect duty treatment for North American shipments. Importers should verify whether specific grades fall under any applicable Section 301 measures depending on origin.
AI-written summary of the official U.S. Census Bureau trade figures on this page — verify before relying on it.
1.7K import shipments a month
HTS 3901201000 covers polyethylene with specific gravity ≥0.94 and a viscosity of 1.44 or greater. Resin that meets the density threshold but falls below the viscosity cutoff is classified under the NESOI line 3901205000. Importers should obtain technical data sheets confirming both parameters before filing entry.
Shipments from Canada and Mexico that satisfy USMCA rules of origin — including applicable tariff-shift or regional-value-content requirements — may qualify for USMCA preferential treatment. A licensed customs broker can confirm whether a specific resin grade and production origin meet those criteria.
Jersey City, United StatesLogistics providerListing verified Sep 2026
Trade Directory
List your company under HS 390120 — High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE) in Primary Forms, so the companies trading it can find you. 1 supplier listed.
ImportsExports
Imports
$130.6MYoY · free account
Exports
$539.9MYoY · free account
12-mo low · imports
Low · free accountOver the twelve months to August 2026, the U.S. imported $1.4B of High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE) in Primary Forms and exported $5.5B.
Through August 2026. Source: U.S. Census Bureau.
HS10 import codes under this HS6 parent, each with its own page. Source: U.S. Harmonized Tariff Schedule.
| Code | Description | Imports for consumption | Average duty rate | Dutiable Share | Duty Collected |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3901205000 | Polyethylene Having A Spec Gravity Gt=0.94, NESOI | $124.8M | 0.50% | 4.12% | $629K |
| 3901201000 | Polyethylene Spec Gravity Gt= 0.94, Viscos Gt=1.44 | $5.0M | 8.82% | 43.15% | $443K |
HS10 export codes under this HS6 parent, each with its own page. Source: U.S. Schedule B export classification.
| Code | Description | Export Value |
|---|---|---|
| 3901200000 | Polyethylene Having A Spec Gravity of 0.94 or More | $539.9M |
Import lines come from the U.S. Harmonized Tariff Schedule and export lines from Schedule B. The two are numbered by different agencies, so the same 10-digit code can appear in both tables describing a different product.
Exports · August 2026
destination
customs district
origin
entry
rate provision · imports
93.8% enters free of duty; duty collected equals 0.83% of imports for consumption.
Subheading 2 of 5 in heading 3901
Subheading 390120 · $539.9M of $1.6B