Polyethylene bags imports in the United States: data, top suppliers and prices
Imports of polyethylene bags by the United States reached $3.26 billion in 2024 (957.2 thousand tonnes). It ranks 1st of 223 countries for imports of this product. Value rose 13% on 2023. Across 2017-2024 the long-run trend was broadly stable.
Public statistics, latest complete year (2024). Values in US dollars. Page updated .
Imports by year, 2017-2024
Hover or tap a year for detail.
Year by year
| Year | Value | Quantity |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $3.26B | 957.2K t |
| 2023 | $2.88B | 802.6K t |
| 2022 | $3.36B | 916.5K t |
| 2021 | $3.09B | 941.9K t |
| 2020 | $2.69B | 847.6K t |
| 2019 | $2.44B | 794.9K t |
| 2018 | $2.56B | 818.9K t |
| 2017 | $2.37B | 761.4K t |
Where the United States imports polyethylene bags from
The largest suppliers were China (24%), Canada (21%), Mexico (12%). Among the main suppliers, Vietnam grew fastest (+35% on the year before).
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| China | $776.7M | 24% |
| Canada | $675.0M | 21% |
| Mexico | $385.0M | 12% |
| Thailand | $304.6M | 9.4% |
| Vietnam | $244.9M | 7.5% |
| Malaysia | $168.0M | 5.2% |
| India | $133.5M | 4.1% |
| South Korea | $102.4M | 3.2% |
| Taiwan | $95.5M | 2.9% |
| Cambodia | $53.3M | 1.6% |
Average import price per kg
The average declared value was about $3.40 per kg, close to the world average of $2.93.
Declared value divided by weight, all 2024 shipments. Prices per shipment and per company are in EximDataX.
Polyethylene bags exports from the United States
The United States exported $848.5 million of polyethylene bags in 2024 (135.9 thousand tonnes). That makes it the 4th largest exporter of this product worldwide, out of 176 countries. The largest buyer markets were Canada (42%), Mexico (33%), Dominican Republic (4%).
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Canada | $355.6M | 42% |
| Mexico | $277.2M | 33% |
| Dominican Republic | $31.0M | 3.7% |
| Costa Rica | $25.4M | 3% |
| Germany | $9.9M | 1.2% |
| United Kingdom | $9.6M | 1.1% |
| Japan | $9.5M | 1.1% |
| China | $9.4M | 1.1% |
| Singapore | $9.1M | 1.1% |
| Ireland | $9.0M | 1.1% |
Who is behind these numbers in the United States?
The shipment records behind United States polyethylene bags imports (HS 3923.21): companies, dates, quantities and declared values.
Shipment records are in the platform
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Direct customs feed: shipment-level records from the official customs source.
Source: CEPII BACI (reconciled UN Comtrade data), HS 2017 edition, release 202601, Etalab Open Licence 2.0. Annual values in US dollars at the customs border; quantities in tonnes where reported. HS 3923.21: Ethylene polymers: sacks and bags (including cones), for the conveyance or packing of goods.
Common questions
What is the value of polyethylene bags imported by the United States?
The United States imported polyethylene bags worth $3.26 billion in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 957.2 thousand tonnes. That ranks it 1st of 223 countries worldwide, with 24% of world imports. The value was up 13% on 2023.
Which countries supply polyethylene bags to the United States?
China was the largest supplier with 24% of the value ($776.7 million), followed by Canada (21%) and Mexico (12%). The top three together account for 56%, out of 102 supplier countries in total. Vietnam grew fastest among the top ten, up 35% on the year.
What is the average import price of polyethylene bags per kg?
The average declared import value was about $3.40 per kg in 2024, 16% above the world average of $2.93 per kg. Because it averages all grades and sizes, treat the figure as a market benchmark, not a price offer.
How have imports of polyethylene bags to the United States changed since 2017?
Imports went from $2.37 billion in 2017 to $3.26 billion in 2024, an increase of 37%. The peak was 2022 at $3.36 billion. Over 8 years the average was $2.83 billion a year.
Does the United States also export polyethylene bags?
Yes. The United States exported $848.5 million worth of this product in 2024, mainly to Canada, Mexico and the Dominican Republic. On balance the United States is a net importer of this product, by about $2.41 billion a year.
What is the HS code for polyethylene bags?
The HS code for polyethylene bags is subheading 3923.21. It sits in HS chapter 39 (plastics and articles thereof). The full list of codes and descriptions is on the HS 3923 page.
How can I find the companies behind this trade?
Shipment-level records for the United States reach EximDataX from a direct customs feed, with company names, dates and declared values. We can show them for your product on a short call.
Same product, other countries
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