# Plastics (HS2 39) Sector Trade Overview | Yugalinks

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Plastics at HS2 39, with reported global trade through 2024.

Canonical: https://www.yugalinks.com/trade/sector/hs2/39

## Answer

The plastics sector recorded $718.4B in reported global trade in 2024, with +1.8% annual change.

## Key figures

| Measure | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Latest reported trade | $718.4B |
| Latest annual change | +1.8% |
| Active exporters | 200 |
| Active importers | 200 |
| Active HS6 products | 129 |

## Annual trend

| Year | Global trade | Corridors | HS6 products |
| --- | ---: | ---: | ---: |
| 1995 | $140.3B | 9,706 | 129 |
| 1996 | $139.3B | 9,913 | 129 |
| 1997 | $146.2B | 10,150 | 129 |
| 1998 | $145.5B | 10,433 | 129 |
| 1999 | $169.4B | 11,122 | 129 |
| 2000 | $189.1B | 12,951 | 129 |
| 2001 | $183.6B | 13,135 | 129 |
| 2002 | $198.0B | 13,569 | 129 |
| 2003 | $235.1B | 13,747 | 129 |
| 2004 | $288.4B | 14,181 | 129 |
| 2005 | $330.4B | 14,659 | 129 |
| 2006 | $377.0B | 15,149 | 129 |
| 2007 | $437.6B | 15,440 | 129 |
| 2008 | $469.1B | 15,676 | 129 |
| 2009 | $382.9B | 15,864 | 129 |
| 2010 | $470.7B | 16,135 | 129 |
| 2011 | $547.4B | 16,552 | 129 |
| 2012 | $543.2B | 16,959 | 129 |
| 2013 | $570.1B | 17,038 | 129 |
| 2014 | $596.3B | 17,537 | 129 |
| 2015 | $534.7B | 17,767 | 129 |
| 2016 | $526.9B | 18,141 | 129 |
| 2017 | $577.9B | 18,145 | 129 |
| 2018 | $638.2B | 18,626 | 129 |
| 2019 | $608.8B | 18,478 | 129 |
| 2020 | $591.4B | 18,170 | 129 |
| 2021 | $773.9B | 18,661 | 129 |
| 2022 | $799.1B | 18,776 | 129 |
| 2023 | $701.8B | 18,702 | 129 |
| 2024 | $718.4B | 18,635 | 129 |

## Growth and market structure

- Trend: Stable
- Three-year CAGR: -2.5%
- Five-year CAGR: +3.4%
- Historical peak: $799.1B in 2,022
- Positive-growth years: 72.4%
- Exporter concentration HHI: 1,410
- Importer concentration HHI: 602.8
- Trade volatility coefficient: 0.5

## Leading corridors

| Rank | Exporter | Importer | Trade value | Growth | HS6 products | Distance | FTA |
| ---: | --- | --- | ---: | ---: | ---: | ---: | --- |
| 1 | China | USA, Puerto Rico and US Virgin Islands | $21.7B | -5.7% | 128 | 11,883 km | No |
| 2 | USA, Puerto Rico and US Virgin Islands | Mexico | $20.8B | +2.7% | 129 | 3,359 km | Yes |
| 3 | Canada | USA, Puerto Rico and US Virgin Islands | $13.9B | -2.9% | 128 | 556 km | Yes |
| 4 | USA, Puerto Rico and US Virgin Islands | Canada | $13.5B | -2.5% | 129 | 556 km | Yes |
| 5 | Republic of Korea | China | $9.6B | -10.9% | 122 | 867 km | Yes |
| 6 | Japan | China | $9.3B | -6.7% | 129 | 1,763 km | No |
| 7 | Mexico | USA, Puerto Rico and US Virgin Islands | $9.1B | +4.6% | 125 | 3,359 km | Yes |
| 8 | China | Viet Nam | $7.8B | +5% | 129 | 2,732 km | Yes |
| 9 | USA, Puerto Rico and US Virgin Islands | China | $7.5B | +4.3% | 128 | 11,883 km | No |
| 10 | China | India | $6.2B | +14% | 127 | 4,252 km | No |

## Leading exporters

| Rank | Country | Exports | Partners | HS6 products |
| ---: | --- | ---: | ---: | ---: |
| 1 | China | $135.0B | 200 | 129 |
| 2 | USA, Puerto Rico and US Virgin Islands | $77.8B | 195 | 129 |
| 3 | Germany | $68.4B | 193 | 129 |
| 4 | Republic of Korea | $36.0B | 190 | 129 |
| 5 | Japan | $27.2B | 186 | 129 |
| 6 | Netherlands | $24.2B | 194 | 129 |
| 7 | Italy | $23.9B | 189 | 129 |
| 8 | Belgium | $22.7B | 189 | 129 |
| 9 | France | $22.3B | 194 | 129 |
| 10 | Saudi Arabia | $19.0B | 168 | 129 |

## Leading importers

| Rank | Country | Imports | Partners | HS6 products |
| ---: | --- | ---: | ---: | ---: |
| 1 | USA, Puerto Rico and US Virgin Islands | $77.4B | 185 | 129 |
| 2 | China | $57.5B | 171 | 129 |
| 3 | Germany | $45.8B | 167 | 129 |
| 4 | Mexico | $31.9B | 119 | 129 |
| 5 | France | $26.2B | 187 | 129 |
| 6 | Italy | $24.2B | 142 | 129 |
| 7 | India | $20.4B | 157 | 129 |
| 8 | Viet Nam | $20.2B | 104 | 129 |
| 9 | Canada | $19.7B | 181 | 129 |
| 10 | United Kingdom | $19.2B | 159 | 129 |

## HS6 products

- Ethylene polymers: in primary forms, polyethylene having a specific gravity of less than 0.94 (HS6 390110)
- Ethylene polymers: in primary forms, polyethylene having a specific gravity of 0.94 or more (HS6 390120)
- Ethylene polymers: in primary forms, ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymers (HS6 390130)
- Ethylene polymers: in primary forms, ethylene-alpha-olefin copolymers, having a specific gravity of less than 0.94 (HS6 390140)
- Ethylene polymers: in primary forms, n.e.c. in heading no. 3901 (HS6 390190)
- Propylene, other olefin polymers: polypropylene in primary forms (HS6 390210)
- Propylene, other olefin polymers: polyisobutylene in primary forms (HS6 390220)
- Propylene, other olefin polymers: propylene copolymers in primary forms (HS6 390230)
- Propylene, other olefin polymers: n.e.s. in heading no. 3902, in primary forms (HS6 390290)
- Styrene polymers: expansible polystyrene, in primary forms (HS6 390311)
- Styrene polymers: (other than expansible polystyrene), in primary forms (HS6 390319)
- Styrene polymers: styrene-acrylonitrile (SAN) copolymers, in primary forms (HS6 390320)
- Styrene polymers: acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS) copolymers, in primary forms (HS6 390330)
- Styrene polymers: in primary forms, n.e.c. in heading no. 3903 (HS6 390390)
- Vinyl chloride, other halogenated olefin polymers: poly(vinyl chloride), not mixed with any other substances, in primary forms (HS6 390410)
- Vinyl chloride, other halogenated olefin polymers: non-plasticised poly(vinyl chloride), in primary forms, mixed with other substances (HS6 390421)
- Vinyl chloride, other halogenated olefin polymers: plasticised poly(vinyl chloride), in primary forms, mixed with other substances (HS6 390422)
- Vinyl chloride, other halogenated olefin polymers: vinyl chloride-vinyl acetate copolymers, in primary forms (HS6 390430)
- Vinyl chloride, other halogenated olefin polymers: vinyl chloride copolymers, in primary forms n.e.c. in heading no. 3904 (HS6 390440)
- Vinyl chloride, other halogenated olefin polymers: vinylidene chloride polymers, in primary forms (HS6 390450)
- Halogenated olefin polymers: fluoro-polymers, polytetrafluoroethylene, in primary forms (HS6 390461)
- Halogenated olefin polymers: fluoro-polymers (other than polytetrafluoroethylene), in primary forms (HS6 390469)
- Vinyl chloride, other halogenated olefin polymers: n.e.c. in heading no. 3904 (HS6 390490)
- Vinyl acetate polymers: in aqueous dispersion, in primary forms (HS6 390511)
- Poly(vinyl acetate): in aqueous dispersion, in primary forms (HS6 390512)
- Poly(vinyl acetate): (other than in aqueous dispersion), in primary forms (HS6 390519)
- Polyvinyl alcohol: whether or not containing unhydrolysed acetate groups (HS6 390520)
- Vinyl acetate copolymers: in aqueous dispersion, in primary forms (HS6 390521)
- Vinyl acetate copolymers: (other than in aqueous dispersion), in primary forms (HS6 390529)
- Poly(vinyl alcohol): whether or not containing unhydrolysed acetate groups (HS6 390530)
- Vinyl acetate, vinyl ester polymers, vinyl polymers: n.e.s. in heading no. 3905, in primary forms (HS6 390590)
- Vinyl acetate, vinyl ester polymers, vinyl polymers: n.e.c. in heading no. 3905, in primary forms, copolymers (HS6 390591)
- Vinyl acetate, vinyl ester polymers, vinyl polymers: n.e.c. in heading no. 3905, in primary forms, other than copolymers (HS6 390599)
- Acrylic polymers: poly(methyl methacrylate), in primary forms (HS6 390610)
- Acrylic polymers: (other than polymethyl methacrylate), in primary forms (HS6 390690)
- Polyacetals: in primary forms (HS6 390710)
- Polyethers: in primary forms, excluding polyacetals (HS6 390720)
- Polyethers other than polyacetals: in primary forms, bis(polyoxyethylene) methylphosphonate (HS6 390721)
- Polyethers other than polyacetals, and bis(polyoxyethylene) methylphosphonate: in primary forms (HS6 390729)
- Epoxide resins: in primary forms (HS6 390730)
- Polycarbonates: in primary forms (HS6 390740)
- Alkyd resins: in primary forms (HS6 390750)
- Poly(ethylene terephthalate): in primary forms (HS6 390760)
- Poly(ethylene terephthalate): in primary forms, having a viscosity of 78ml/g or higher (HS6 390761)
- Poly(ethylene terephthalate): in primary forms, having a viscosity of less than 78ml/g (HS6 390769)
- Poly(lactic acid): in primary forms (HS6 390770)
- Polyesters: n.e.c. in heading no. 3907, unsaturated, in primary forms (HS6 390791)
- Polyesters: n.e.c. in heading no. 3907, saturated, in primary forms (HS6 390799)
- Polyamides: polyamide-6, -11, -12, -6,6, -6,9, -6,10 or -6,12, in primary forms (HS6 390810)
- Polyamides: n.e.c. in heading no. 3908, in primary forms (HS6 390890)
- Amino-resins: urea and thiourea resins, in primary forms (HS6 390910)
- Amino-resins: melamine resins, in primary forms (HS6 390920)
- Amino-resins: n.e.s. in heading no. 3909, in primary forms (HS6 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 forms (HS6 390940)
- Polyurethanes: in primary forms (HS6 390950)
- Silicones: in primary forms (HS6 391000)
- Petroleum resins, coumarone, indene or coumarone-indene resins and polyterpenes: in primary forms (HS6 391110)
- Petroleum resins, poly(1,3-phenylene methylphosphonate), in primary forms (HS6 391120)
- Polysulphides, polysulphones and similar products of chemical synthesis n.e.c. in chapter 39: in primary forms (HS6 391190)
- Cellulose acetates: non-plasticised, in primary forms (HS6 391211)
- Cellulose acetates: plasticised, in primary forms (HS6 391212)
- Cellulose nitrates (including collodions): in primary forms (HS6 391220)
- Cellulose ethers: carboxymethylcellulose and its salts, in primary forms (HS6 391231)
- Cellulose ethers: (other than carboxymethylcellulose and its salts), in primary forms (HS6 391239)
- Cellulose and its chemical derivatives: n.e.s. in item no. 3912, in primary forms (HS6 391290)
- Polymers, natural: alginic acid, its salts and esters, in primary forms (HS6 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 forms (HS6 391400)
- Ethylene polymers: waste, parings and scrap (HS6 391510)
- Styrene polymers: waste, parings and scrap (HS6 391520)
- Vinyl chloride polymers: waste, parings and scrap (HS6 391530)
- Plastics n.e.c. in heading no. 3915: waste, parings and scrap (HS6 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 worked (HS6 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 worked (HS6 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 worked (HS6 391690)
- Plastics: artificial guts (sausage casings) of hardened protein or of cellulosic materials (HS6 391710)
- Plastics: tubes, pipes and hoses thereof, rigid, of polymers of ethylene (HS6 391721)
- Plastics: tubes, pipes and hoses thereof, rigid, of polymers of propylene (HS6 391722)
- Plastics: tubes, pipes and hoses thereof, rigid, of polymers of vinyl chloride (HS6 391723)
- Plastics: tubes, pipes and hoses thereof, rigid, of plastics n.e.c. in heading no. 3917 (HS6 391729)
- Plastics: tubes, pipes and hoses thereof, flexible, having a minimum burst pressure of 27.6MPa (HS6 391731)
- Plastics: tubes, pipes and hoses thereof, other than those of item no. 3917.31, not reinforced or otherwise combined with other materials, without fittings (HS6 391732)
- Plastics: tubes, pipes and hoses thereof, other than those of item no. 3917.31, not reinforced or otherwise combined with other materials, with fittings (HS6 391733)
- Plastics: tubes, pipes and hoses thereof, n.e.s. in item no. 3917.30 (HS6 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 tiles (HS6 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 tiles (HS6 391890)
- Plastics: plates, sheets, film, foil, tape, strip, other flat shapes thereof, self-adhesive, in rolls of a width not exceeding 20cm (HS6 391910)
- Plastics: plates, sheets, film, foil, tape, strip, other flat shapes thereof, self-adhesive, other than in rolls of a width not exceeding 20cm (HS6 391990)
- Plastics: plates, sheets, film, foil and strip, of polymers of ethylene, non-cellular and not reinforced, laminated, supported or similarly combined with other materials (HS6 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 materials (HS6 392020)
- Plastics: of polymers of styrene, plates, sheets, film, foil and strip, non-cellular and not reinforced, laminated, supported or similarly combined with other materials (HS6 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 materials (HS6 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 materials (HS6 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 materials (HS6 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 materials (HS6 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 materials (HS6 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 materials (HS6 392059)
- Plastics: plates, sheets, film, foil and strip, of polycarbonates, non-cellular and not reinforced, laminated, supported or similarly combined with other materials (HS6 392061)
- Plastics: plates, sheets, film, foil and strip, of polyethylene terephthalate, non-cellular and not reinforced, laminated, supported or similarly combined with other materials (HS6 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 materials (HS6 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 materials (HS6 392069)
- Plastics: plates, sheets, film, foil and strip, of regenerated cellulose: non-cellular and not reinforced, laminated, supported or similarly combined with other materials (HS6 392071)
- Plastics: plates, sheets, film, foil and strip, of vulcanised fibre, non-cellular and not reinforced, laminated, supported or similarly combined with other materials (HS6 392072)
- Plastics: plates, sheets, film, foil and strip, of cellulose acetate, non-cellular and not reinforced, laminated, supported or similarly combined with other materials (HS6 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 materials (HS6 392079)
- Plastics: plates, sheets, film, foil and strip, of polyvinyl butyral, non-cellular and not reinforced, laminated, supported or similarly combined with other materials (HS6 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 materials (HS6 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 materials (HS6 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 materials (HS6 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 materials (HS6 392099)
- Plastics: plates, sheets, film, foil and strip, of polymers of styrene, cellular (HS6 392111)
- Plastics: plates, sheets, film, foil and strip, of polymers of vinyl chloride, cellular (HS6 392112)
- Plastics: plates, sheets, film, foil and strip, of polyurethanes, cellular (HS6 392113)
- Plastics: plates, sheets, film, foil and strip, of regenerated cellulose, cellular (HS6 392114)
- Plastics: plates, sheets, film, foil and strip, of plastics n.e.c. in heading no. 3921, cellular (HS6 392119)
- Plastics: plates, sheets, film, foil and strip, other than cellular (HS6 392190)
- Plastics: baths, shower-baths, sinks and wash-basins (HS6 392210)
- Plastics: lavatory seats and covers (HS6 392220)
- Plastics: bidets, lavatory pans, flushing cisterns and similar sanitary ware n.e.c. in heading no. 3922 (HS6 392290)
- Plastics: boxes, cases, crates and similar articles for the conveyance or packing of goods (HS6 392310)
- Ethylene polymers: sacks and bags (including cones), for the conveyance or packing of goods (HS6 392321)
- Plastics: sacks and bags (including cones), for the conveyance or packing of goods, of plastics other than ethylene polymers (HS6 392329)
- Plastics: carboys, bottles, flasks and similar articles, for the conveyance or packing of goods (HS6 392330)
- Plastics: spools, cops, bobbins and similar supports, for the conveyance or packing of goods (HS6 392340)
- Plastics: stoppers, lids, caps and other closures, for the conveyance or packing of goods (HS6 392350)
- Plastics: articles for the conveyance or packing of goods n.e.c. in heading no. 3923 (HS6 392390)
- Plastics: tableware and kitchenware (HS6 392410)
- Plastics: household articles and hygienic or toilet articles (HS6 392490)
- Plastics: builders\' ware, reservoirs, tanks, vats and similar containers of a capacity exceeding 300 litres (HS6 392510)
- Plastics: builders\' ware, doors, windows and their frames and thresholds for doors (HS6 392520)
- Plastics: builders\' ware, shutters, blinds (including venetian blinds) and similar articles and parts thereof (HS6 392530)
- Plastics: builders\' ware, n.e.s. or included in heading no. 3925 (HS6 392590)
- Plastics: office or school supplies (HS6 392610)
- Plastics: articles of apparel and clothing accessories (including gloves, mittens and mitts) (HS6 392620)
- Plastics: fittings for furniture, coachwork or the like (HS6 392630)
- Plastics: statuettes and other ornamental articles (HS6 392640)
- Plastics: other articles n.e.s. in chapter 39 (HS6 392690)

## Definitions and coverage

Merchandise trade observations aggregated to HS2. Growth, concentration, volatility, and peak comparisons calculated from reported observations. Missing values remain unavailable and are not imputed.

Reported observations cover 1995-2024. The data release was refreshed 2026-07-20 09:34:08.

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## Data sources

- Primary trade series: OECD (2025), Balanced international merchandise trade statistics (BIMTS) - HS2017-6D, OECD Data Explorer (accessed on 2026-08-27). [OECD Data Explorer](https://data-explorer.oecd.org/) · [OECD Terms & Conditions](https://www.oecd.org/termsandconditions/)
- CEPII BACI bilateral trade flows (202601): [dataset page](https://www.cepii.fr/CEPII/en/bdd_modele/bdd_modele_item.asp?id=37) · [BACI documentation](https://www.cepii.fr/DATA_DOWNLOAD/baci/doc/baci_webpage.html) · [Etalab 2.0 Open Licence](https://www.etalab.gouv.fr/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/open-licence.pdf)

This page presents derived Yugalinks views of reported observations and calculated indicators.