Latest trade
$718.4BGlobal sector valueHS2 sector intelligence
Plastics
sector trade overview
A clear view of the plastics economy: scale, momentum, market concentration, leading routes, and the products within it.
Explore the workspace Reported trade intelligence
Refreshed 2026-07-20
Refreshed 2026-07-20
The numbers at a glanceLatest reported year · 2024
Annual change
+1.8%Latest year on yearExporters
200Active reporting countriesImporters
200Active reporting countriesHS6 products
129Classifications in sectorThe sector read
$718.4B in trade, with -2.5% annualized growth over three years.
Plastics is recorded across 18,635 active corridors, with 200 exporters and 200 importers in the latest available year.
Market signalStable+3.4% five-year CAGR
Annual trend
Momentum across three decades
Reported global trade from 1995 to 2024. Missing years remain unavailable rather than estimated. Read the methodology ↗
Top trade corridors
Where this sector moves
The leading exporter-to-importer relationships by latest reported sector trade value. See data sources ↗
Latest reported relationshipsTop 10 by trade value
| Rank | Exporter | Importer | Trade value | Growth | HS6 | Distance | FTA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | ChinaCHN | USA, Puerto Rico and US Virgin IslandsUSA | $21.7B | -5.7% | 128 | 11,883 km | No |
| 2 | USA, Puerto Rico and US Virgin IslandsUSA | MexicoMEX | $20.8B | +2.7% | 129 | 3,359 km | Yes |
| 3 | CanadaCAN | USA, Puerto Rico and US Virgin IslandsUSA | $13.9B | -2.9% | 128 | 556 km | Yes |
| 4 | USA, Puerto Rico and US Virgin IslandsUSA | CanadaCAN | $13.5B | -2.5% | 129 | 556 km | Yes |
| 5 | Republic of KoreaKOR | ChinaCHN | $9.6B | -10.9% | 122 | 867 km | Yes |
| 6 | JapanJPN | ChinaCHN | $9.3B | -6.7% | 129 | 1,763 km | No |
| 7 | MexicoMEX | USA, Puerto Rico and US Virgin IslandsUSA | $9.1B | +4.6% | 125 | 3,359 km | Yes |
| 8 | ChinaCHN | Viet NamVNM | $7.8B | +5% | 129 | 2,732 km | Yes |
| 9 | USA, Puerto Rico and US Virgin IslandsUSA | ChinaCHN | $7.5B | +4.3% | 128 | 11,883 km | No |
| 10 | ChinaCHN | IndiaIND | $6.2B | +14% | 127 | 4,252 km | No |
Market structure
Where supply and demand concentrate
Exporter and importer rankings are separated so scale on one side of the market is not mistaken for demand on the other. Check coverage ↗
Top exporters2024 ranking
| Rank | Country | Exports | Partners | HS6 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | ChinaCHN | $135.0B | 200 | 129 |
| 2 | USA, Puerto Rico and US Virgin IslandsUSA | $77.8B | 195 | 129 |
| 3 | GermanyDEU | $68.4B | 193 | 129 |
| 4 | Republic of KoreaKOR | $36.0B | 190 | 129 |
| 5 | JapanJPN | $27.2B | 186 | 129 |
| 6 | NetherlandsNLD | $24.2B | 194 | 129 |
| 7 | ItalyITA | $23.9B | 189 | 129 |
| 8 | BelgiumBEL | $22.7B | 189 | 129 |
| 9 | FranceFRA | $22.3B | 194 | 129 |
| 10 | Saudi ArabiaSAU | $19.0B | 168 | 129 |
Top importers2024 ranking
| Rank | Country | Imports | Partners | HS6 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | USA, Puerto Rico and US Virgin IslandsUSA | $77.4B | 185 | 129 |
| 2 | ChinaCHN | $57.5B | 171 | 129 |
| 3 | GermanyDEU | $45.8B | 167 | 129 |
| 4 | MexicoMEX | $31.9B | 119 | 129 |
| 5 | FranceFRA | $26.2B | 187 | 129 |
| 6 | ItalyITA | $24.2B | 142 | 129 |
| 7 | IndiaIND | $20.4B | 157 | 129 |
| 8 | Viet NamVNM | $20.2B | 104 | 129 |
| 9 | CanadaCAN | $19.7B | 181 | 129 |
| 10 | United KingdomGBR | $19.2B | 159 | 129 |
HS6 product coverage
The classifications inside this sector
Explore the six-digit product classifications that make up HS2 39.
140 classifications shownBrowse the product workspace ↗
Ethylene polymers: in primary forms, polyethylene having a specific gravity of less than 0.94HS6 390110
Ethylene polymers: in primary forms, polyethylene having a specific gravity of 0.94 or moreHS6 390120
Ethylene polymers: in primary forms, ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymersHS6 390130
Ethylene polymers: in primary forms, ethylene-alpha-olefin copolymers, having a specific gravity of less than 0.94HS6 390140
Ethylene polymers: in primary forms, n.e.c. in heading no. 3901HS6 390190
Propylene, other olefin polymers: polypropylene in primary formsHS6 390210
Propylene, other olefin polymers: polyisobutylene in primary formsHS6 390220
Propylene, other olefin polymers: propylene copolymers in primary formsHS6 390230
Propylene, other olefin polymers: n.e.s. in heading no. 3902, in primary formsHS6 390290
Styrene polymers: expansible polystyrene, in primary formsHS6 390311
Styrene polymers: (other than expansible polystyrene), in primary formsHS6 390319
Styrene polymers: styrene-acrylonitrile (SAN) copolymers, in primary formsHS6 390320
Styrene polymers: acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS) copolymers, in primary formsHS6 390330
Styrene polymers: in primary forms, n.e.c. in heading no. 3903HS6 390390
Vinyl chloride, other halogenated olefin polymers: poly(vinyl chloride), not mixed with any other substances, in primary formsHS6 390410
Vinyl chloride, other halogenated olefin polymers: non-plasticised poly(vinyl chloride), in primary forms, mixed with other substancesHS6 390421
Vinyl chloride, other halogenated olefin polymers: plasticised poly(vinyl chloride), in primary forms, mixed with other substancesHS6 390422
Vinyl chloride, other halogenated olefin polymers: vinyl chloride-vinyl acetate copolymers, in primary formsHS6 390430
Vinyl chloride, other halogenated olefin polymers: vinyl chloride copolymers, in primary forms n.e.c. in heading no. 3904HS6 390440
Vinyl chloride, other halogenated olefin polymers: vinylidene chloride polymers, in primary formsHS6 390450
Halogenated olefin polymers: fluoro-polymers, polytetrafluoroethylene, in primary formsHS6 390461
Halogenated olefin polymers: fluoro-polymers (other than polytetrafluoroethylene), in primary formsHS6 390469
Vinyl chloride, other halogenated olefin polymers: n.e.c. in heading no. 3904HS6 390490
Vinyl acetate polymers: in aqueous dispersion, in primary formsHS6 390511
Poly(vinyl acetate): in aqueous dispersion, in primary formsHS6 390512
Poly(vinyl acetate): (other than in aqueous dispersion), in primary formsHS6 390519
Polyvinyl alcohol: whether or not containing unhydrolysed acetate groupsHS6 390520
Vinyl acetate copolymers: in aqueous dispersion, in primary formsHS6 390521
Vinyl acetate copolymers: (other than in aqueous dispersion), in primary formsHS6 390529
Poly(vinyl alcohol): whether or not containing unhydrolysed acetate groupsHS6 390530
Vinyl acetate, vinyl ester polymers, vinyl polymers: n.e.s. in heading no. 3905, in primary formsHS6 390590
Vinyl acetate, vinyl ester polymers, vinyl polymers: n.e.c. in heading no. 3905, in primary forms, copolymersHS6 390591
Vinyl acetate, vinyl ester polymers, vinyl polymers: n.e.c. in heading no. 3905, in primary forms, other than copolymersHS6 390599
Acrylic polymers: poly(methyl methacrylate), in primary formsHS6 390610
Acrylic polymers: (other than polymethyl methacrylate), in primary formsHS6 390690
Polyacetals: in primary formsHS6 390710
Polyethers: in primary forms, excluding polyacetalsHS6 390720
Polyethers other than polyacetals: in primary forms, bis(polyoxyethylene) methylphosphonateHS6 390721
Polyethers other than polyacetals, and bis(polyoxyethylene) methylphosphonate: in primary formsHS6 390729
Epoxide resins: in primary formsHS6 390730
Polycarbonates: in primary formsHS6 390740
Alkyd resins: in primary formsHS6 390750
Poly(ethylene terephthalate): in primary formsHS6 390760
Poly(ethylene terephthalate): in primary forms, having a viscosity of 78ml/g or higherHS6 390761
Poly(ethylene terephthalate): in primary forms, having a viscosity of less than 78ml/gHS6 390769
Poly(lactic acid): in primary formsHS6 390770
Polyesters: n.e.c. in heading no. 3907, unsaturated, in primary formsHS6 390791
Polyesters: n.e.c. in heading no. 3907, saturated, in primary formsHS6 390799
Polyamides: polyamide-6, -11, -12, -6,6, -6,9, -6,10 or -6,12, in primary formsHS6 390810
Polyamides: n.e.c. in heading no. 3908, in primary formsHS6 390890
Amino-resins: urea and thiourea resins, in primary formsHS6 390910
Amino-resins: melamine resins, in primary formsHS6 390920
Amino-resins: n.e.s. in heading no. 3909, in primary formsHS6 390930
Amino-resins: n.e.c. in heading no. 3909, in primary forms, poly(methylene phenyl isocyanate) (Crude MDI, polymeric MDI)HS6 390931
Amino-resins: n.e.c. in heading no. 3909, in primary forms, other than poly(methylene phenyl isocyanate) (Crude MDI, polymeric MDI)HS6 390939
Phenolic resins: in primary formsHS6 390940
Polyurethanes: in primary formsHS6 390950
Silicones: in primary formsHS6 391000
Petroleum resins, coumarone, indene or coumarone-indene resins and polyterpenes: in primary formsHS6 391110
Petroleum resins, poly(1,3-phenylene methylphosphonate), in primary formsHS6 391120
Polysulphides, polysulphones and similar products of chemical synthesis n.e.c. in chapter 39: in primary formsHS6 391190
Cellulose acetates: non-plasticised, in primary formsHS6 391211
Cellulose acetates: plasticised, in primary formsHS6 391212
Cellulose nitrates (including collodions): in primary formsHS6 391220
Cellulose ethers: carboxymethylcellulose and its salts, in primary formsHS6 391231
Cellulose ethers: (other than carboxymethylcellulose and its salts), in primary formsHS6 391239
Cellulose and its chemical derivatives: n.e.s. in item no. 3912, in primary formsHS6 391290
Polymers, natural: alginic acid, its salts and esters, in primary formsHS6 391310
Polymers, natural and modified natural: in primary forms (excluding alginic acid, its salts and esters)HS6 391390
Ion-exchangers: based on polymers of heading no. 3901 to 3913, in primary formsHS6 391400
Ethylene polymers: waste, parings and scrapHS6 391510
Styrene polymers: waste, parings and scrapHS6 391520
Vinyl chloride polymers: waste, parings and scrapHS6 391530
Plastics n.e.c. in heading no. 3915: waste, parings and scrapHS6 391590
Ethylene polymers: monofilament, of which any cross-sectional dimension exceeds 1mm, rods, sticks and profile shapes, whether or not surface-worked but not otherwise workedHS6 391610
Vinyl chloride polymers: monofilament, of which any cross-sectional dimension exceeds 1mm, rods, sticks and profile shapes, whether or not surface-worked but not otherwise workedHS6 391620
Plastics: monofilament, of plastics n.e.c. in heading no. 3916, cross-sectional dimension exceeds 1mm, rods, sticks and profile shapes, whether or not surface-worked but not otherwise workedHS6 391690
Plastics: artificial guts (sausage casings) of hardened protein or of cellulosic materialsHS6 391710
Plastics: tubes, pipes and hoses thereof, rigid, of polymers of ethyleneHS6 391721
Plastics: tubes, pipes and hoses thereof, rigid, of polymers of propyleneHS6 391722
Plastics: tubes, pipes and hoses thereof, rigid, of polymers of vinyl chlorideHS6 391723
Plastics: tubes, pipes and hoses thereof, rigid, of plastics n.e.c. in heading no. 3917HS6 391729
Plastics: tubes, pipes and hoses thereof, flexible, having a minimum burst pressure of 27.6MPaHS6 391731
Plastics: tubes, pipes and hoses thereof, other than those of item no. 3917.31, not reinforced or otherwise combined with other materials, without fittingsHS6 391732
Plastics: tubes, pipes and hoses thereof, other than those of item no. 3917.31, not reinforced or otherwise combined with other materials, with fittingsHS6 391733
Plastics: tubes, pipes and hoses thereof, n.e.s. in item no. 3917.30HS6 391739
Plastics: tube, pipe and hose fittings (e.g. joints, elbows, flanges)HS6 391740
Floor, wall or ceiling coverings: of polymers of vinyl chloride, whether or not self-adhesive, in rolls or in the form of tilesHS6 391810
Floor, wall or ceiling coverings: of plastics (excluding polymers of vinyl chloride), whether or not self-adhesive, in rolls or in the form of tilesHS6 391890
Plastics: plates, sheets, film, foil, tape, strip, other flat shapes thereof, self-adhesive, in rolls of a width not exceeding 20cmHS6 391910
Plastics: plates, sheets, film, foil, tape, strip, other flat shapes thereof, self-adhesive, other than in rolls of a width not exceeding 20cmHS6 391990
Plastics: plates, sheets, film, foil and strip, of polymers of ethylene, non-cellular and not reinforced, laminated, supported or similarly combined with other materialsHS6 392010
Plastics: of polymers of propylene, plates, sheets, film, foil and strip (not self-adhesive), non-cellular and not reinforced, laminated, supported or similarly combined with other materialsHS6 392020
Plastics: of polymers of styrene, plates, sheets, film, foil and strip, non-cellular and not reinforced, laminated, supported or similarly combined with other materialsHS6 392030
Plastics: rigid, of polymers of vinyl chloride, plates, sheets, film, foil and strip, non-cellular and not reinforced, laminated, supported or similarly combined with other materialsHS6 392041
Plastics: flexible, of polymers of vinyl chloride, plates, sheets, film, foil and strip, non-cellular and not reinforced, laminated, supported or similarly combined with other materialsHS6 392042
Plastics: polymers of vinyl chloride, containing by weight not less than 6% of plasticisers: plates, sheets, film, foil and strip (not self-adhesive), non-cellular and not reinforced, laminated, supported or similarly combined with other materialsHS6 392043
Plastics: polymers of vinyl chloride, containing by weight, less than 6% of plasticisers: plates, sheets, film, foil and strip (not self-adhesive), non-cellular and not reinforced, laminated, supported or similarly combined with other materialsHS6 392049
Plastics: of acrylic polymers, polymethyl methacrylate, plates, sheets, film, foil and strip (not self-adhesive), non-cellular and not reinforced, laminated, supported or similarly combined with other materialsHS6 392051
Plastics: of acrylic polymers (excluding polymethyl methacrylate), plates, sheets, film, foil and strip (not self-adhesive), non-cellular and not reinforced, laminated, supported or similarly combined with other materialsHS6 392059
Plastics: plates, sheets, film, foil and strip, of polycarbonates, non-cellular and not reinforced, laminated, supported or similarly combined with other materialsHS6 392061
Plastics: plates, sheets, film, foil and strip, of polyethylene terephthalate, non-cellular and not reinforced, laminated, supported or similarly combined with other materialsHS6 392062
Plastics: plates, sheets, film, foil and strip (not self-adhesive), of unsaturated polyesters, non-cellular and not reinforced, laminated, supported or similarly combined with other materialsHS6 392063
Plastics: plates, sheets, film, foil and strip, of polyesters n.e.s. in heading no. 3920, non-cellular and not reinforced, laminated, supported or similarly combined with other materialsHS6 392069
Plastics: plates, sheets, film, foil and strip, of regenerated cellulose: non-cellular and not reinforced, laminated, supported or similarly combined with other materialsHS6 392071
Plastics: plates, sheets, film, foil and strip, of vulcanised fibre, non-cellular and not reinforced, laminated, supported or similarly combined with other materialsHS6 392072
Plastics: plates, sheets, film, foil and strip, of cellulose acetate, non-cellular and not reinforced, laminated, supported or similarly combined with other materialsHS6 392073
Plastics: plates, sheets, film, foil and strip (not self-adhesive), of cellulose derivatives n.e.c. in heading no. 3920, non-cellular and not reinforced, laminated, supported or similarly combined with other materialsHS6 392079
Plastics: plates, sheets, film, foil and strip, of polyvinyl butyral, non-cellular and not reinforced, laminated, supported or similarly combined with other materialsHS6 392091
Plastics: plates, sheets, film, foil and strip (not self-adhesive), of polyamides, non-cellular and not reinforced, laminated, supported or similarly combined with other materialsHS6 392092
Plastics: plates, sheets, film, foil and strip (not self-adhesive), of amino-resins, non-cellular and not reinforced, laminated, supported or similarly combined with other materialsHS6 392093
Plastics: plates, sheets, film, foil and strip (not self-adhesive), of phenolic resins, non-cellular and not reinforced, laminated, supported or similarly combined with other materialsHS6 392094
Plastics: plates, sheets, film, foil and strip (not self-adhesive), of plastics n.e.c. in heading no. 3920, non-cellular and not reinforced, laminated, supported or similarly combined with other materialsHS6 392099
Plastics: plates, sheets, film, foil and strip, of polymers of styrene, cellularHS6 392111
Plastics: plates, sheets, film, foil and strip, of polymers of vinyl chloride, cellularHS6 392112
Plastics: plates, sheets, film, foil and strip, of polyurethanes, cellularHS6 392113
Plastics: plates, sheets, film, foil and strip, of regenerated cellulose, cellularHS6 392114
Plastics: plates, sheets, film, foil and strip, of plastics n.e.c. in heading no. 3921, cellularHS6 392119
Plastics: plates, sheets, film, foil and strip, other than cellularHS6 392190
Plastics: baths, shower-baths, sinks and wash-basinsHS6 392210
Plastics: lavatory seats and coversHS6 392220
Plastics: bidets, lavatory pans, flushing cisterns and similar sanitary ware n.e.c. in heading no. 3922HS6 392290
Plastics: boxes, cases, crates and similar articles for the conveyance or packing of goodsHS6 392310
Ethylene polymers: sacks and bags (including cones), for the conveyance or packing of goodsHS6 392321
Plastics: sacks and bags (including cones), for the conveyance or packing of goods, of plastics other than ethylene polymersHS6 392329
Plastics: carboys, bottles, flasks and similar articles, for the conveyance or packing of goodsHS6 392330
Plastics: spools, cops, bobbins and similar supports, for the conveyance or packing of goodsHS6 392340
Plastics: stoppers, lids, caps and other closures, for the conveyance or packing of goodsHS6 392350
Plastics: articles for the conveyance or packing of goods n.e.c. in heading no. 3923HS6 392390
Plastics: tableware and kitchenwareHS6 392410
Plastics: household articles and hygienic or toilet articlesHS6 392490
Plastics: builders\' ware, reservoirs, tanks, vats and similar containers of a capacity exceeding 300 litresHS6 392510
Plastics: builders\' ware, doors, windows and their frames and thresholds for doorsHS6 392520
Plastics: builders\' ware, shutters, blinds (including venetian blinds) and similar articles and parts thereofHS6 392530
Plastics: builders\' ware, n.e.s. or included in heading no. 3925HS6 392590
Plastics: office or school suppliesHS6 392610
Plastics: articles of apparel and clothing accessories (including gloves, mittens and mitts)HS6 392620
Plastics: fittings for furniture, coachwork or the likeHS6 392630
Plastics: statuettes and other ornamental articlesHS6 392640
Plastics: other articles n.e.s. in chapter 39HS6 392690
Definitions and coverage
Read the numbers with context
Clear definitions keep reported observations and calculated indicators in their proper context. Read our Responsible AI principles ↗
Reported values
Trade values describe reported merchandise trade for the HS2 classification. They are not company-level sales, retail quotes, or shipment records.
Calculated indicators
Growth, concentration, volatility, and peak comparisons are calculated from reported observations and should be read with their coverage period.
Missing data
A missing observation remains unavailable. It is not filled, interpolated, or presented as a forecast.
Coverage: 1995–2024 · Data refreshed 2026-07-20 09:34:08
Data source
OECD trade statistics with CEPII context
OECD (2025), Balanced international merchandise trade statistics (BIMTS) - HS2017-6D, OECD Data Explorer (accessed on 2026-08-27). OECD BIMTS is the primary trade series for this view. Supporting bilateral trade context uses CEPII BACI bilateral trade flows (202601) under Etalab 2.0 Open Licence. Yugalinks presents derived views of reported observations and calculated indicators. Data terms: OECD Terms & Conditions.