SITCSection 5
U.S. imports of waste, parings & scrap of plastics, not elsewhere specified (SITC 57990) totaled $7.3M in April 2026, traded with 36 countries.
Importers of Waste, Parings & Scrap of Plastics, Not Elsewhere Specified paid $325K in duties in April 2026 — an effective duty rate of 11% on $2.9M in dutiable value, based on actual customs collections rather than the published tariff schedule. Waste, Parings & Scrap of Plastics, Not Elsewhere Specified imports of $7.3M in April 2026 ran 20% above the year-to-date monthly average of $6.1M.
Last updated: April 2026 dataResidual plastic scrap that cannot be classified under a specific polymer heading — including mixed-resin loads, multi-layer film trim, and engineering-plastic off-cuts — falls into this catch-all category. The heterogeneous nature of NES plastic scrap makes it the most challenging segment for recyclers to process, often commanding lower prices than single-polymer streams. Importers should be prepared for heightened customs scrutiny when declaring mixed loads, as border agencies may require polymer identification to confirm that the material genuinely belongs here rather than in a more specific scrap heading.
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A shipment qualifies as NES when it consists of mixed polymer types that cannot be separated or identified as a single resin family, or when the polymer type falls outside the enumerated headings (such as styrene or vinyl chloride polymers). If a load is predominantly one resin but contains minor contamination, classification should still reflect the dominant polymer — so accurate sorting and documentation at origin is critical.
Mixed or contaminated plastic scrap is generally subject to stricter Basel Convention controls than clean, sorted single-polymer streams. The 2019 Basel amendments placed most mixed plastic scrap in Annex II (requiring prior informed consent), while certain clean, sorted streams may qualify for less-restricted treatment. US importers should work with their logistics provider to confirm the exporting country's consent procedures before shipment.
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Monthly import values over time