US Plastic Resin Suppliers: A Buyer’s Guide
Polyethylene, polypropylene, PVC, polyesters and finished plastic products: this guide sums up the codes you should use and which documents to ask the supplier for.
| Industry | Plastics and resins |
|---|---|
| Main tariff headings (Harmonized System) | 3901, 3902, 3904, 3907, 3915, 3917 to 3926 |
| U.S. agencies involved | U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC) |
| Official sources cited | 2 |
| Last reviewed | 2026-10-07 |
Tariff headings you should know
- 3901: polymers of ethylene (polyethylene), in primary forms.
- 3902: polymers of propylene or of other olefins. 3904: polymers of vinyl chloride (PVC).
- 3907: polyacetals, polyethers, epoxide resins, polycarbonates and polyesters (including PET).
- 3915: waste, parings and scrap of plastics.
- 3917 to 3926: plastic products (tubes, plates, film, packaging and other articles).
What you should know
- Mexico: according to the Secretaría de Economía, from January 1, 2026 tariffs went up on tariff lines of several sectors, including plastics, only for countries without a trade agreement with Mexico. The United States has an agreement with Mexico, so that increase does not apply to its goods.
- If your country has a trade agreement with the United States and the product qualifies as originating, it may enter at a preferential duty rate. Confirm it with your customs authority.
- Ask for the technical data sheet (for example, melt flow index and density) and, for food packaging, the food-contact compliance statement your country requires.
How to choose and verify the supplier
- Buy from producers or distributors that can document the origin and the quality of the material.
- Ask for a certificate of analysis for each lot and samples before the first large order.
- Check that the company exists: business registration in its state, physical address, website and references from other buyers.
- Check that it does not appear on the U.S. restricted-party lists, and ask for a formal quotation with the Incoterm, lead time and payment terms.
Frequently asked questions
Does Mexico’s tariff increase affect U.S. plastics?
No. According to the Secretaría de Economía, the 2026 increase applies only to countries with which Mexico has no trade agreement, and the United States has one.
What documents should I ask for with food-contact resin?
The technical data sheet, the certificate of analysis for each lot and the food-contact compliance statement your country requires.
Official sources
- USITC: Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States
- Secretaría de Economía (Mexico): tariff changes to the LIGIE (in Spanish)
This page is general information to help you get started. It is not legal, tax or customs advice, and regulations change. Confirm current requirements with the official sources above or with a licensed customs broker, freight forwarder or trade compliance professional.