Plastic Import and Export Declaration: A "Transparent Dialogue" with Customs

As a 20-year veteran in foreign trade, I often compareImports and exports of plastic productsIt is likened to a "transparent dialogue"—not only because of the transparency attribute of plastic itself, but also because the declaration process requires absolute clarity and accuracy. The 2023 edition of the "Standard Declaration Catalog" has introduced more refined requirements for plastics and their products. Today, let's discuss how to avoid "stepping on landmines" during the declaration process.

The "Household Register" of the Plastic Family: Two Major Categories to Distinguish

Customs divides the plastic family into two "household registers":

• Chapter 1 (3901-3914): Primary forms of polymers, equivalent to the "raw materials" of the plastic family.
• Chapter 2 (3915-3926): Waste scraps and finished products, equivalent to the "finished products and offcuts" of the plastic family.

I remember last year a client mistakenly declared recycled plastic pellets as "plastic products," which led to customs requesting additional clarification. It's like declaring flour as bread—completely different in nature!

The "Five-Star Key Points" of declaration elements

According to the latest Customs requirements, the following elements require special attention:

Three appearance elements: color, transparency, shape

These three elements are like the "ID photo" of plastic—none can be omitted. Common mistakes include:

• Just write "white particles" and omit the transparency.
• Abbreviate "opaque" as "opq."
• Generally report "profiles with special shapes" as "profiles".

2. The "Parent-Child Relationship" Between Components and Monomers

The relationship between composition content and monomer units is like that between parents and children:

• Composition content: Refers to the final product composition (e.g., "polyethylene 100%").
• Monomer unit: Refers to the raw material before polymerization (e.g., "ethylene 100%").

There was once a company that reported ethylene-propylene copolymer as "92% ethylene, 8% propylene," which is equivalent to reporting only the "child" without mentioning the "parents"!

Base material source: A single-choice question with four options

This option is like a "birth certificate" for plastic:

• Virgin material: Virgin plastic, of pure lineage
• Recycled material: The "Eco-Warrior" of Recycling and Reuse
• Bottle flakes: "Transformers" Made from Recycled Bottles
• Sub-brand material: Underperforming "backup candidate"

Remember not to create names on your own. Last year, a customer declared "recycled new material," which is as contradictory as saying "fresh leftovers."

Warning of "Minefields" in Declarations

Based on years of experience, these are the most common errors:

The "wordplay" in brand declaration

Customs does not accept simple declarations of "no brand." The correct approach is:

• With brand: Declare the specific name (e.g., "LG Chem")
• No brand: It is mandatory to fully declare "No Chinese or foreign brand."

The "technical term" in the usage description

Usage descriptions should be as professional as industry experts:

• Primary form plastics: Terms such as "film grade" and "injection molding grade" are used.
• Finished products: Specify the actual use, such as "for automotive parts"

There have been cases where "cable-grade" was reported as "for wire use," which is as unprofessional as calling "extra virgin" just "good oil."

The "Math Problem" of Specifications and Dimensions

Dimension declarations should be as precise as solving math problems:

• Sheet: Length × Width × Thickness (e.g., "1200mm × 600mm × 3mm")
• Pipes: Outer diameter × inner diameter × length
• Irregular shape: Clearly declare "irregular".

The "upgrade points" of the 2023 new regulations

There are several notable changes in declaration requirements this year:

• Grade declaration: Added a mandatory "Genuine/Non-genuine" selection requirement.
• Composite materials: Must clearly specify the composite materials
• Waste plastics: Strengthened declaration requirements for destructive treatment status

"Customs Clearance Guidebook" for Import and Export Enterprises

Finally, some practical suggestions:

• Create a product information checklist to ensure complete declaration elements
• Confirm accurate monomer unit information with suppliers
• Maintain complete test reports and technical documentation
• Regularly update customs personnels professional knowledge

Remember, standardized declaration is like obtaining a "passport" for plastic products—the more complete and accurate the information, the smoother the "clearance" process. If you're unsure about any details, it's advisable to consult with customs in advance for confirmation. This approach is far more hassle-free than making supplementary declarations afterward!