Polypropylene (PP) is a thermoplastic polymer used in a wide range of products and applications. It is highly resistant to fatigue, heat, corrosion, and chemical leaching. It is among the top ninety traded products in the world. China is the fifth largest exporter of polypropylene after Saudi Arabia, South Korea, the United States, and Germany.
What is made of polypropylene?
PP is used mostly in:
- packaging industry
- electrical and equipment manufacturing
- household appliances industry
- automotive industry
- construction materials.
There are many things on the market made of polypropylene:
- film for fresh food
- beach slippers, durable bags, luggage
- medical equipment
- furniture
- toys
- plastic bottles
- food containers and kitchen items
- car parts.
Who sources polypropylene from China?
The main destinations of polypropylene exports from China are Asian countries:
- Vietnam
- India
- Bangladesh
- Turkey
- Pakistan.
China is the 1st largest importer of polypropylene in the world. Why is that? China is the biggest manufacturer and needs materials to keep up with the demand.
Customs duty on PP
Importers must pay import tax, known as customs duty/tariff during customs clearance.
- TARIC is a database of trade measures in the European Union. The EU customs tariff on propylene (polypropylene, PP), HS code 3902 10 00 20, is 6.5%.
- HTS is a classification system used to determine customs duties to be paid on imports into the US and more. Polypropylene (HTSUS code 3902 10 00 00) imported to the US is subject to a general tariff of 6.5%. But in terms of importing PP from China, there is an additional tariff of 25%.
How to avoid China supplier scams
Supplier scams in China are common. Even experienced companies get scammed! There are top tips for avoiding import scams:
- always verify your potential partner – there are many unreliable suppliers!
- sign a commercial contract and make sure to include all provisions (Chinese and English versions)
- conduct inspections at various stages
- if you receive an email informing you that your supplier bank information has changed, reach out to them to verify it
- do not make any decisions in a hurry.