Heading 3915

Waste, parings and scrap, of plastics

5 declarable lines

Heading 3915 covers plastic waste, parings and scrap, not usable plastic articles or virgin polymer in primary forms. It is split by polymer: ethylene, styrene, vinyl chloride, and other plastics. Under other plastics, PET has its own line and all remaining plastics go to a residual line.

Products in this heading

Polyethylene film scrap from packaging
Polystyrene foam scrap from packaging
PVC pipe trimmings
PET bottle scrap and PET flakes
Rejected plastic molded parts
Plastic regrind from injection molding
Plastic shavings from machining

How to choose the right subheading

Check whether the goods are waste, parings or scrap rather than primary-form resin or a finished plastic article.
Identify the polymer type: ethylene, styrene, vinyl chloride or another plastic.
Use 3915.10.00.00 for ethylene, 3915.20.00.00 for styrene, and 3915.30.00.00 for vinyl chloride.
For other plastics, use 3915.90.00.10 if the material is PET.
Use 3915.90.00.90 for other plastics that are not PET.

Often confused with

Virgin polyethylene resin pellets
Primary-form polymer, not waste, parings or scrap.
Heading 3901
Plastic film or sheet in rolls for use as material
Usable flat shapes are classified as plates, sheets, film or foil, not scrap.
Heading 3920
Plastic pipes and hoses
Finished tubes and pipes are goods of heading 3917, not plastic scrap.
Heading 3917
New plastic bottles and closures
Packing articles and closures are classified in heading 3923, not as scrap.
Heading 3923

Frequently asked questions

What is the HTS code for polyethylene plastic scrap?

Polyethylene plastic waste, parings and scrap is classified under 3915.10.00.00, and the general (MFN) duty rate is Free.

What is the duty on PVC plastic scrap?

Polyvinyl chloride plastic waste, parings and scrap is classified under 3915.30.00.00, and the general (MFN) duty rate is Free.

How do I classify PET plastic scrap?

PET plastic waste, parings and scrap under the other plastics group is classified under 3915.90.00.10, and the general (MFN) duty rate is Free.

Guide written from the official schedule text. Rates quoted are general (MFN) rates; check the line page for trade agreement rates and the classification of your exact product.