U.S. exports of high-density polyethylene (hdpe) in primary forms (HS 390120) totaled $520.0M in July 2026.
Importers of High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE) in Primary Forms paid $1.9M in duties in July 2026 — an effective duty rate of 17% on $11.1M in dutiable value, based on actual customs collections rather than the published tariff schedule. High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE) in Primary Forms imports of $160.0M in July 2026 ran 33% above the year-to-date monthly average of $120.0M.
Polyethylene 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.
1.9K shipments/mo
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.
HSChapter 39
Subheading 1 of 5 in heading 3901
Subheading 390120 · $160.0M of $428.8M
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HS10 import codes under this HS6 parent, each with its own page. Source: U.S. Harmonized Tariff Schedule.
| Code | Description | Import Value | Effective Tariff % | Dutiable Share | Duty Collected |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3901205000 | Polyethylene Having A Spec Gravity Gt=0.94, NESOI | $151.0M | 0.63% | 4.19% | $953K |
| 3901201000 | Polyethylene Spec Gravity Gt= 0.94, Viscos Gt=1.44 | $9.0M | 10.86% | 53.10% | $976K |
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 | $520.0M |
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.
ImportsExports
Imports
$160.0MYoY · Pro
Exports
$520.0MYoY · Pro
12-mo low · imports
YoY · ProThrough July 2026. Source: U.S. Census Bureau.
Exports · July 2026
destination
customs district
origin
entry
rate provision · imports
92.3% enters free of duty; the effective duty rate is 1.21%.