Import Plastics from China: 25%+ Section 301 Rate 2026

USTradeStack

Effective Duty Rate

25% Section 301 (List 3) + 0%–6.5% MFN = ~25%–31.5% effective

Estimate — verify by HTS code

Compliance Risk

High

Relative to other import corridors

Regulatory Agencies

EPA/TSCA, FDA, CPSC

Primary oversight bodies

OVERVIEW

Importing Plastics, Polymers & Plastic Articles from China

Importing plastics from China into the United States carries high compliance risk, with an effective duty rate of 25% Section 301 (List 3) + 0%–6.5% MFN = ~25%–31.5% effective. This corridor carries both Section 301 and Section 232 surcharges stacked on top of the base MFN rate, making it one of the highest-cost import corridors for US buyers.

Plastics imported from China to the United States is subject to CBP entry requirements, applicable HTS-based duty rates, and agency compliance clearances. This guide covers the complete import process for 2026.

⚠ Key Trade Intelligence — China Origin

Chinese plastics and plastic articles face 25% Section 301 on List 3 categories. Polyethylene, polypropylene, and plastic packaging materials are all affected. Anti-dumping investigations have targeted specific Chinese plastic products including PET film and polyester staple fiber.

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SAMPLE LANDED COST — $50,000 SHIPMENT

Estimated Landed Cost: Plastics from China

Based on a representative $50,000 CIF shipment value. Actual costs vary by HTS code, entry type, and port of entry.

Cost Component	Amount	Notes
Cargo Value (CIF)	$50,000.00	Reference shipment value
MFN Base Duty (0.0%)	$0.00	ITA or preferential rate
Section 301 Additional Duty (25%)	$12,500.00	USTR List 3/4A surcharge
Merchandise Processing Fee (0.3464%)	$173.20	Min $31.67 / max $614.35
Harbor Maintenance Fee (0.125%)	$62.50	Ocean freight only
Total Duties & Fees	$12,735.70	Effective rate: 25.5%
Estimated Landed Cost	$62,735.70	Cargo + all US duties/fees

⚠ Section 232 tariffs (25% steel / 10% aluminum) may apply to plastics sub-categories with significant steel or aluminum content. Not included above — verify by specific HTS code.

Excludes freight, insurance, broker fees, warehousing, and AD/CVD duties. Use the Duty Calculator for a precise estimate on your specific shipment.

APPLICABLE HTS CODES

HTS Codes for Plastics Imports

The following Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS) codes typically apply to plastics imports. Exact classification depends on the specific product — misclassification is one of the most common CBP compliance errors.

HTS Code	Product Description	MFN Base Duty Rate
3901	Polyethylene in Primary Forms (HDPE, LDPE, LLDPE)	0%–6.5% MFN
3902	Polypropylene & Other Propylene Polymers	0%–6.5% MFN
3907	Polyacetals, Polyesters & Polycarbonates (PET, PBT)	0%–6.5% MFN
3920	Plastic Plates, Sheets & Film (not reinforced)	3.1%–6.5% MFN
3926	Other Articles of Plastics (industrial/consumer)	3.4%–5.3% MFN

MFN rates reflect base tariff. Additional duties (Section 301, Section 232, AD/CVD) may apply on top of MFN rates. Use the AI classifier to get the exact 10-digit HTS code and all applicable rates for your specific product.

DUTY STACK — CHINA ORIGIN

Total Tariff Cost for China-Origin Plastics

Duty Layer	Rate / Status	Applies To
MFN Base Rate	Varies by HTS code	All China-origin goods (baseline)
Section 301 Additional Duty	7.5%–25% additional	Most product categories from China
Section 232 (Steel/Aluminum)	25% steel / 10% aluminum	Steel and aluminum imports from China

Precise Duty Calculation

Get Your Exact Total Duty Rate

Our calculator handles all duty layers — MFN + Section 301 + Section 232 + FTA rates — for any HTS code from any origin country.

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COMPLIANCE — EPA/TSCA / FDA / CPSC

US Compliance Requirements for Plastics Imports

Regardless of origin country, plastics imports must satisfy the following US regulatory requirements before or at the time of CBP entry filing:

TSCA (Toxic Substances Control Act) compliance — all chemical substances in plastics must appear on the TSCA Inventory; new chemicals require EPA premanufacture notice (PMN)
FDA Food Contact Notification (FCN) required for plastics intended for food packaging or food-contact applications (21 CFR Parts 174–186)
CPSC testing requirements for plastic consumer products — lead and phthalate limits for children's products under CPSIA Section 101/108
California Prop 65 compliance for plastics containing listed chemicals (BPA, phthalates, cadmium, lead)

Compliance Check Tool

Run an automated compliance check for your plastics import — identifies all applicable agency requirements, flagging issues before your shipment departs China.

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REQUIRED DOCUMENTS

Documentation Checklist for Plastics from China

Prepare all documents before the shipment departs China. Missing or incorrect documents are the #1 cause of CBP holds and customs delays.

1

Commercial Invoice with polymer type, grade, and end-use application

2

Packing List

3

Bill of Lading

4

TSCA Certification (EPA Form 7710-56) — required for all chemical imports

5

FDA food-contact compliance documentation (if applicable)

6

Country of Origin Declaration

Document Generator

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ESTIMATED TIMELINE

Import Timeline — Plastics from China

20–35 days (ocean from Asia); 10–18 days (ocean from Europe); 5–10 days (truck from Mexico/Canada)

Supplier Preparation

Allow 1–2 weeks for production documentation, certificates, and packing lists

Transit Time

18–35 days ocean from Asia/origin

CBP Clearance

1–3 days standard; 5–15 days if examination or AD/CVD review required

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

FAQs — Importing Plastics from China

What is the effective US tariff rate for importing plastics from China?

The effective US tariff rate for plastics from China is: 25% Section 301 (List 3) + 0%–6.5% MFN = ~25%–31.5% effective. Chinese plastics and plastic articles face 25% Section 301 on List 3 categories. Polyethylene, polypropylene, and plastic packaging materials are all affected. Anti-dumping investigations have targeted specific Chinese plastic products including PET film and polyester staple fiber.

What compliance agencies regulate plastics imports from China?

Plastics imports require compliance with: EPA/TSCA, FDA, CPSC. Specific requirements include: TSCA (Toxic Substances Control Act) compliance — all chemical substances in plastics must appear on the TSCA Inventory; new chemicals require EPA premanufacture notice (PMN) and FDA Food Contact Notification (FCN) required for plastics intended for food packaging or food-contact applications (21 CFR Parts 174–186).

What documents are required to import plastics from China?

Required documents include: Commercial Invoice with polymer type, grade, and end-use application; Packing List; Bill of Lading; TSCA Certification (EPA Form 7710-56) — required for all chemical imports. Additional: FDA food-contact compliance documentation (if applicable); Country of Origin Declaration. Ensure all documents are prepared before the shipment departs China.

How long does customs clearance take for plastics from China?

Typical timeline: 20–35 days (ocean from Asia); 10–18 days (ocean from Europe); 5–10 days (truck from Mexico/Canada). CBP clearance typically takes 1–3 business days for compliant entries. Complex entries (AD/CVD, formal entry review, or examination) may require 5–15 additional business days.

Are there Section 301 or Section 232 tariffs on plastics from China?

Yes. China-origin plastics is subject to Section 301 additional tariffs (7.5%–25% depending on HTS code and List). Section 232 duties also apply: 25% on steel products, 10% on aluminum. Total effective duty is substantially higher than the base MFN rate.

What HTS codes and duty rates apply to plastic goods imports?

Plastics are classified under HTS Chapters 39 (plastics and articles thereof). Raw plastic materials (resins, polymers): HTS 3901–3914, typically 3.4%–6.5% MFN. Plastic articles: HTS 3916–3926, varying from 0% to 6.5% MFN. Plastic bags and film (3923–3924) face 3%–6.5% MFN. China-origin plastics add 25% Section 301 for most HS codes. Anti-dumping orders exist on certain plastic bags from China and Vietnam — verify via CBP ADD/CVD portal before importing packaging products.

What TSCA and EPA regulations apply to imported plastic products?

TSCA Section 13 requires that imported chemical substances, including plastic resins, comply with TSCA regulations — importers must certify compliance or non-coverage at entry. EPA restricts certain chemical substances in plastics, including phthalate plasticizers in children's products (CPSC/TSCA). California Prop 65 requires warnings for plastics containing listed chemicals (lead, phthalates, bisphenol A). Single-use plastics may face state-level restrictions. Maintain SDS (Safety Data Sheets) and chemical composition records for all imported plastic products.

How does Section 301 affect plastics importers sourcing from China?

Most plastic articles from China are subject to 25% Section 301 tariffs under List 3 or 4A (many List 4A products at 7.5%). This stacks on MFN base rates of 3.4%–6.5%, creating effective duties of 10.4%–31.5% on Chinese plastics. Importers have responded by shifting sourcing to Vietnam, Thailand, Malaysia, and Mexico. However, CBP enforces anti-circumvention rules — plastic goods with Chinese-origin resin that undergo only minor processing in a third country may still be classified as Chinese origin.

What are the current Section 301 tariff rates on Chinese imports in 2026?

Section 301 tariffs range from 7.5% (List 1 goods, many industrial inputs) to 25% (List 3 and 4A goods, which cover most manufactured products). USTR publishes the current lists at ustr.gov. Most exclusions issued in 2019–2020 have expired. Effective rates for manufactured goods from China are typically 25% Section 301 on top of the applicable MFN base rate.

Does my Chinese-origin product qualify for any Section 301 exclusions?

Most Section 301 exclusions have expired. USTR has issued limited targeted renewals for specific HTS codes where no US or alternative-country substitutes exist. To check current exclusion status, search USTR's Section 301 exclusion portal by HTS code. If no exclusion applies, the full Section 301 surcharge applies — there is no mechanism to appeal the tariff itself, only to seek a formal exclusion through USTR.

What supply chain documentation is required to comply with UFLPA for goods from China?

Under UFLPA, importers must maintain documentation proving no inputs originate from the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region. Required documentation includes supplier attestations, raw material sourcing records, and ideally third-party supply chain audit reports. CBP can detain goods it reasonably suspects contain Xinjiang-origin inputs — the burden of proof is on the importer, not CBP, to demonstrate compliance.

TRADE INTELLIGENCE TOOLS

Free Tools for Plastics Importers

Run these tools before your next shipment from China — all free, no account required.

🔍 AI HTS Classifier

Get the exact 10-digit HTS code for your plastics. Identifies Section 301/232 exposure.

🧮 Landed Cost Calculator

Calculate total duty including MFN + Section 301 + Section 232 for China-origin goods.

🛡️ Supplier Screening

Screen your China supplier against OFAC, BIS Entity List, and denied parties databases.

✅ Compliance Check

Verify EPA/TSCA/FDA/CPSC requirements and identify documentation gaps before shipment.

📊 Trade Research Hub

Deep-dive on tariff policy changes, Federal Register notices, and regulatory updates for China.

🔔 Tariff Alerts

Get notified when duty rates or compliance requirements change for your product corridors.

Ready to Calculate Your Exact Import Costs?

Get precise duty calculations, landed cost estimates, and compliance flags for your plastics shipment from China.

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View full China tariff profile → Browse all import guides → Calculate landed cost →

Import duty rates are sourced from the USITC Harmonized Tariff Schedule and USTR Section 301 lists. Rates reflect current published schedules as of 2026-05-16 and are subject to change. This page is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or customs brokerage advice. Verify rates with a licensed customs broker before importing.

How to Import Plastics from China to the US