HS Code 3905Polymers of vinyl acetate or of other vinyl esters, in primary forms; other vinyl polymers in primary forms
7 six-digit codes · Heading 5 of 26 in Chapter 39 · World Customs Organization Harmonized System
HS code 3905 (also searched as HSN code 3905) is the customs heading for vinyl acetate polymers and other vinyl polymers sold as raw material. This page explains what it covers, how to pick the right code and where to find importers and exporters.
Heading 3905 is finely cut: 7 six-digit codes, 390512 to 390599, all of them under “Polymers of vinyl acetate or of other vinyl esters, in primary forms; other vinyl polymers in primary forms”. At that depth it is the exact wording of the code, not of the heading, that settles a classification. The heading is number 5 of 26 in Chapter 39, Plastics and articles thereof, which runs to 131 six-digit codes in all.
Six-digit codes under heading 3905
| HS Code | Import–export description |
|---|---|
| 390512 | Poly(vinyl acetate); in aqueous dispersion, in primary forms |
| 390519 | Poly(vinyl acetate); (other than in aqueous dispersion), in primary forms |
| 390521 | Vinyl acetate copolymers; in aqueous dispersion, in primary forms |
| 390529 | Vinyl acetate copolymers; (other than in aqueous dispersion), in primary forms |
| 390530 | Poly(vinyl alcohol); whether or not containing unhydrolysed acetate groups |
| 390591 | Vinyl acetate, vinyl ester polymers, vinyl polymers; n.e.c. in heading no. 3905, in primary forms, copolymers |
| 390599 | Vinyl acetate, vinyl ester polymers, vinyl polymers; n.e.c. in heading no. 3905, in primary forms, other than copolymers |
What HS code 3905 covers
Primary forms means the basic material, such as a liquid dispersion or a resin, before it is shaped into a finished product. Finished plastic goods are classed in later headings of the chapter, such as 3926.
Three product groups sit here. The first is poly(vinyl acetate), often shortened to PVAc. The second is vinyl acetate copolymers. The third is poly(vinyl alcohol), often shortened to PVA. A pair of catch-all codes takes the other vinyl esters and vinyl polymers that do not fit elsewhere in the heading.
Customs officers read the full wording of a code, not just its title. So the physical state of your product and what it is made from decide the answer.
How to choose the right 3905 code
Ask four questions in order. Each one narrows the list.
Start with the base material. If it is poly(vinyl acetate) alone, you look at 390512 and 390519. If it is a copolymer of vinyl acetate, you look at 390521 and 390529. If it is poly(vinyl alcohol), the answer is 390530.
- Poly(vinyl acetate) in aqueous dispersion, meaning mixed into water: 390512. Any other form: 390519.
- Any other form: 390529.
- Poly(vinyl alcohol): 390530. The wording allows unhydrolysed acetate groups, so a grade that still has some acetate left can stay in this code.
- A vinyl ester or vinyl polymer that is not named above: 390591 if it is a copolymer, 390599 if it is not.
Vinyl polymers that fall outside 3905
The most common mix-up is between 3905 and 3904. If your resin is based on vinyl chloride, look at 3904 instead.
Acrylic polymers belong in 3906. Polyesters, epoxide resins and polycarbonates are grouped in 3907.
If you are unsure, test your product description in the HS code classifier before you file a shipment.
HS 3905 import export data: importers and exporters
Knowing the code is only half the job. The next step is finding who trades under it. Customs records for vinyl acetate polymers show which companies bring in and send out these goods.
EximDataX shows shipment-level import and export records from official customs sources. Coverage: 43 direct customs feeds plus 184 mirror-derived countries. Named buyers and named suppliers are available in 38 of the 43 direct markets. Most markets refresh weekly and some refresh daily. You can search by HS code to see who imports and exports a product, and book a free demo.
Other headings in Chapter 39
Chapter 39 groups plastics from raw polymers to finished articles. Use the links below to move between neighbouring polymer headings, or go back to the full list of chapters.
Related
- Chapter 39: Plastics and articles thereof
- HS 3904 vinyl chloride polymers
- HS 3906 acrylic polymers
- HS 3901 polymers of ethylene
- HS 3902 polymers of propylene
- HS 3903 polymers of styrene
- HS 3907 polyesters and epoxide resins
- Import data
- Export data
- Vinyl polymer buyers
- Vinyl polymer suppliers
- HS code classifier
- Book a free demo
- All HS code chapters
Nearby headings in Chapter 39
- 3901Polymers of ethylene, in primary forms5 codes
- 3902Polymers of propylene or of other olefins, in primary forms4 codes
- 3903Polymers of styrene, in primary forms5 codes
- 3904Polymers of vinyl chloride or of other halogenated olefins, in primary forms9 codes
- 3906Acrylic polymers in primary forms2 codes
- 3907Polyacetals, other polyethers and epoxide resins, in primary forms…11 codes
- 3908Polyamides in primary forms2 codes
- 3909Amino-resins, phenolic resins and polyurethanes, in primary forms6 codes
- 3910Silicones in primary forms1 code
- 3911Petroleum resins, coumarone-indene resins, polyterpenes, polysulphides…3 codes
- 3912Cellulose and its chemical derivatives, n.e.c. or included, in primary forms6 codes
- 3913Natural polymers (e.g. alginic acid) and modified natural polymers (e.g.…2 codes
Who ships under 3905?
EximDataX tracks the live import–export records filed under this heading and the 7 codes beneath it: named buyers, suppliers, quantities and values from official customs feeds.
Section VII: Plastics and Rubber, and Articles Thereof, chapters 39–40.
HS Code 3905: common questions
What is HS code 3905?
HS code 3905 (also called HSN code 3905) covers polymers of vinyl acetate or of other vinyl esters, in primary forms, plus other vinyl polymers in primary forms.
What is the HS code for poly(vinyl alcohol)?
Poly(vinyl alcohol), or PVA, is classed under 390530. The wording covers PVA whether or not it contains unhydrolysed acetate groups.
What is the HS code for poly(vinyl acetate) in aqueous dispersion?
Poly(vinyl acetate) in any other form goes under 390519.
Who imports vinyl acetate polymers?
Importers show up in customs records filed under the codes from 390512 to 390599. Open the buyer data and import data pages to start, or confirm your code in the HS code classifier first.
See what your buyers are buying.Then decide.
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