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CHAPTER 39
Plastics and articles thereof

1. Throughout this Schedule the expression "plastics" means those materials of heading Nos. 39.01 to 39.14 which are or have been capable, either at the moment of polymerisation or at some subsequent stage, of being formed under external influence (usually heat and pressure, if necessary with a solvent or plasticiser) by moulding, casting, extruding, rolling or other process into shapes which are retained on the removal of the external influence.

Throughout this Schedule, any reference to "plastics" also includes vulcanised fibre. The expression, however, does not apply to materials regarded as textile materials of Section XI.

2. This Chapter does not cover:

(a) Waxes of heading No. 27.12 or 34.04;

(b) Separate chemically defined organic compounds (Chapter 29);

(c) Heparin or its Salts (heading No. 30.01);

(d) Solutions (other than collodions) consisting of any of the products specified in heading Nos. 39.01 to 39.13 in volatile organic solvents when the weight of the solvent exceeds 50% of the weight of the solution (heading No. 32.08); stamping foils of heading No. 32.12;

(e) Organic surface-active agents or preparations of heading No. 34.02;

(f) Run gums or ester gums (heading No. 38.06);

(g) Diagnostic or laboratory reagents on a backing of plastics (heading No. 38.22);

(h) Synthetic rubber, as defined for the purposes of Chapter 40, or articles thereof;

(ij) Saddlery or harness (heading No. 42.01) or trunks, suitcases, handbags or other containers of heading No. 42.02;

(k) Plaits, wickerwork or other articles of Chapter 46;

(l) Wall covering of heading No. 48.14;

(m) Goods of Section XI (textiles and textile articles);

(n) Articles of Section XII (for example, footwear, headgear, umbrellas, sun umbrellas, walking-sticks, whips, riding-crops or parts thereof);

(o) Imitation jewellery of heading No. 71.17;

(p) Articles of Section XVI (machines and mechanical or electrical appliances);

(q) Parts of aircraft or vehicles of Section XVII;

(r) Articles of Chapter 90 (for example, optical elements, spectacle frames, drawing instruments);

(s) Articles of Chapter 91 (for example, clock or watch cases);

(t) Articles of Chapter 92 (for example, musical instruments or parts thereof);

(u) Articles of Chapter 94 (for example, furniture, lamps and lighting fittings, illuminated signs, prefabricated buildings);

(v) Articles of Chapter 95 (for example, toys, games, sports requisites); or

(w) Articles of Chapter 96 (for example, brushes, buttons, slide fasteners, combs, mouth-pieces or stems for smoking pipes, cigarette-holders or the like, parts of vacuum flasks or the like, pens, propelling pencils).

(a) Liquid synthetic polyolefins of which less than 60% by volume distils at 300°C, after conversion to 1/013 millibars when a reduced pressure distillation method is used (heading Nos. 39.01 and 39.02);

(b) Resins, not highly polymerised, of the coumarone-indene type (heading No. 39.11);

(c) Other synthetic polymers with an average of at least 5 monomer units;

(d) Silicones (heading No. 39.10);

(e) Resols (heading No. 39.09) and other prepolymers.

For the purposes of this Chapter, except where the context otherwise requires, copolymers (including co-polycondensates, co-polyaddition products, block copolymers and graft copolymers) and polymer blends are to be classified in the heading covering polymers of that comonomer unit which predominates by weight over every other single comonomer unit. For the purposes of this NOTE, constituent comonomer units of polymers falling in the same heading shall be taken together.

If no single comonomer unit predominates, copolymers or polymer blends, as the case may be, are to be classified in the heading which occurs last in numerical order among those which equally merit consideration.

5. Chemically modified polymers, that is those in which only appendages to the main polymer chain have been changed by chemical reaction, are to be classified in the heading appropriate to the unmodified polymer. This provision does not apply to graft copolymers.

6. In heading Nos. 39.01 to 39.14, the expression "primary forms" applies only to the following forms :

(a) Liquids and pastes, including dispersions (emulsions and suspensions) and solutions;

(b) Blocks of irregular shape, lumps, powders (including moulding powders), granules, flakes and similar bulk forms.

8. For the purposes of heading No. 39.17, the expression "tubes, pipes and hoses" means hollow products, whether semi-manufactures or finished products, of a kind generally used for conveying, conducting or distributing gases or liquids (for example, ribbed garden hose, perforated tubes). This expression also includes sausage casings and other lay-flat tubing. However, except for the last-mentioned, those having an internal cross-section other than round, oval, rectangular (in which the length does not exceed 1.5 times the width) or in the shape of a regular polygon are not to be regarded as tubes, pipes and hoses but as profile shapes.

9. For the purposes of heading No. 39.18, the expression "wall or ceiling coverings of plastics" applies to products in rolls, of a width not less than 45 cm, suitable for wall or ceiling decoration, consisting of plastics fixed permanently on a  backing of any material other than paper, the layer of plastics (on the face side) being grained, embossed, coloured, design-printed or otherwise decorated.

10. In heading Nos.39.20 and 39.21, the expression "plates, sheets, film, foil and strip" applies only to plates, sheets, film, foil and strip (other than those of Chapter 54) and to blocks of regular geometric shape, whether or not printed or otherwise surface worked, uncut or cut into rectangles (including squares) but not further worked (even if when so cut they become articles ready for use).

11. Heading No. 39.25 applies only to the following articles, not being products covered by any of the earlier headings of sub-Chapter II:
 

(a) Reservoirs, tanks (including septic tanks), vats and similar containers, of a capacity exceeding 300 L;

(b) Structural elements used, for example, in floors, walls or partitions, ceilings or roofs;

(c) Gutters and fittings therefor;

(d) Doors, windows and their frames and thresholds for doors;

(e) Balconies, balustrades, fencing, gates and similar barriers;

(f) Shutters, blinds (including Venetian blinds) and similar articles and parts and fittings thereof;

(g) Large scale shelving for assembly and permanent installation, for example, in shops, workshops, warehouses;

(h) Ornamental architectural features, for example, flutings cupolas, dove-cotes; and

(ij) Fittings and mountings intended for permanent installation in or on doors, windows, staircases, walls or other parts of buildings, for example, knobs, handles, hooks, brackets, towel rails, switch-plates and other protective plates.

Within any one heading of this Chapter, polymers (including copolymers) and chemically modified polymers are to be classified according to the following provisions:

(a) Where there is a sub-heading named "Other" in the same series:

(1) The designation in a sub-heading of a polymer by the prefix "poly" (e.g., polyethylene and polyamide-6,6) means that the constituent monomer unit or monomer units of the named polymer taken together must contribute 95% or more by weight of the total polymer content.

(2) The copolymers named in sub-heading Nos. 3901.30, 3903.20,3903.30 and 3904.30 are to be classified in those sub-headings, provided that the comonomer units of the named copolymers contribute 95% or more by weight of the total polymer content.

(3) Chemically modified polymers are to be classified in the sub-heading named "Other", provided that the chemically modified polymers are not more specifically covered by another sub-heading.

(4) Polymers not meeting (1), (2) or (3) above, are to be classified in the sub-heading, among the remaining sub-headings in the series, covering polymers of that monomer unit which predominates by weight over every other single comonomer unit. For this purpose, constituent monomer units of polymers falling in the same sub-heading shall be taken together. Only the constituent comonomer units of the polymers in the series of sub-headings under consideration are to be compared.

(b) Where there is no sub-heading named "Other" in the same series:

(1) Polymers are to be classified in the sub-heading covering polymers of that monomer unit which predominates by weight over every other single comonomer unit. For this purpose, constituent monomer units of polymers falling in the same sub-heading shall be taken together. Only the constituent comonomer units of the polymers in the series under consideration are to be compared.

(2) Chemically modified polymers are to be classified in the sub-heading appropriate to the unmodified polymer.

Heading  No.	Sub-heading  No.	Description of article	Rate of duty
			Standard	Preferential Areas
(1)	(2)	(3)	(4)	(5)
		I. - PRIMARY FORMS
39.01		Polymers of ethylene, in primary forms
	3901.10	- Polyethylene having a specific gravity of less than 0.94	35%	...
	3901.20	- Polyethylene having a specific gravity of 0.94 or more	35%	...
	3901.30	- Ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymers	35%	...
	3901.90	-Other	35%	....
39.02		Polymers of propylene or of other olefins, in primary forms
	3902.10	- Polypropylene	35%	...
	3902.20	- Polyisobutylene	35%	...
	3902.30	- Propylene copolymers	35%	...
	3902.90	-Other	35%	...
39.03		Polymers of styrene, in primary forms
		- Polystyrene:
	3903.11	-- Expansible	35%	...
	3903.19	--Other	35%	...
	3903.20	- Styrene-acrylonitrile (SAN) copolymers	35%	...
	3903.30	- Acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS) copolymers	35%	...
	3903.90	- Other	35%	...
39.04		Polymers of vinyl chloride or of other halogenated olefins, in primary forms
	3904.10	- Polyvinyl chloride, not mixed with any other substances	35%	...
		- Other polyvinyl chloride :
	3904.21	-- Non-plasticised	35%	...
	3904.22	-- Plasticised	35%	...
	3904.30	- Vinyl chloride-vinyl acetate copolymers	35%	...
	3904.40	- Other vinyl chloride copolymers	35%	...
	3904.50	- Vinylidene chloride polymer	35%	...
		- Fluoro-polymers:
	3904.61	-- Polytetrafluoroethylene	35%	...
	3904.69	-- Other	35%	...
	3904.90	- Other	35%	...
39.05		Polymers of vinyl acetate or of other vinyl esters, in primary forms; other vinyl polymers in primary forms
		Polyvinyl acetate:
	3905.12	-- In aqueous dispersion	35%	...
	3905.19	-- Other	35%	...
		- Vinyl acetate copolymers :
	3905.21	-- In aqueous dispersion	35%	...
	3905.29	-- Other	35%	...
	3905.30	- Polyvinyl alcohol, whether or not containing unhydrolysed acetate groups	35%	...
		- Other:		...
	3905.91	-- Copolymers	35%	...
	3905.99	-- Other	35%	...
39.06		Acrylic polymers in primary forms
	3906.10	- Polymethyl methacrylate	35%	...
	3906.90	-Other	35%	...
39.07		Polyacetals, other polyethers and ep-oxide resins, in primary forms; polycarbonates, alkyd resins, polyallyl esters and other polyesters, in primary forms
	3907.10	- Polyacetals	35%	...
	3907.20	- Other polyethers	35%	...
	3907.30	- Epoxide resins	35%	...
	3907.40	- Polycarbonates	35%	...
	3907.50	- Alkyd resins	35%	...
	3907.60	- Polyethylene terephthalate	35%	...
		-  Other polyesters:
	3907.91	-- Unsaturated	35%	...
	3907.99	-- Other	35%	...
39.08		Polyamides in primary forms
	3908.10	- Polyamide -6, -11, -12, -6,6, -6,9, -6, 10 or -6,12	35%	...
	3908.90	- Other	35%	...
39.09		Amino-resins, phenolic resins and polyurethanes, in primary forms
	3909.10	- Urea resins; thiourea resins	35%	...
	3909.20	- Melamine resins	35%	...
	3909.30	- Other amino-resins	35%	...
	3909.40	- Phenolic resins	35%	...
	3909.50	- Polyurethanes	35%	...
39.10	3910.00	Silicones in primary forms	35%	...
39.11		Petroleum resins, coumarone-indene resins, polyterpenes, polysulphides, polysulphones and other products specified in Note 3 to this Chapter, not elsewhere specified or included, in primary forms
	3911.10	-Petroleum resins, coumarone, indene or coumarone-indene resins and polyterpenes	35%	...
	3911.90	-Other	35%	...
39.12		Cellulose and its chemical derivatives, not elsewhere specified or included, in primary forms
		- Cellulose acetates :
	3912.11	-- Non-plasticised	35%	...
	3912.12	-- Plasticised	35%	...
	3912.20	- Cellulose nitrates (including collodions)	35%	...
		- Cellulose ethers:
	3912.31	-- Carboxymethyl cellulose and its salts	35%	...
	3912.39	-- Other	35%	...
	3912.90	-Other	35%	...
39.13		Natural polymers (for example, alginic acid) and modified natural polymers (for example, hardened proteins, chemical derivatives of natural rubber), not elsewhere specified or included, in primary forms
	3913.10	- Alginic acid, its salts and esters	35%	...
	3913.90	- Other	35%	...
39.14	3914.00	Ion-exchangers based on polymers of heading Nos. 39.01 to 39.13, in primary forms	35%	...
		II. - WASTE, PARINGS AND SCRAP; SEMI-MANUFACTURES; ARTICLES
39.15		Waste, parings and scrap, of plastics
	3915.10	- Of polymers of ethylene	35%	...
	3915.20	- Of polymers of styrene	35%	...
	3915.30	- Of polymers of vinyl chloride	35%	...
	3915.90	- Of other plastics	35%	...
39.16		Monofilament of which any cross-sectional dimension exceeds 1 mm, rods, sticks and profile shapes, whether or not surface-worked but not otherwise worked, of plastics
	3916.10	- Of polymers of ethylene	35%	...
	3916.20	- Of polymers of vinyl chloride	35%	...
	3916.90	- Of other plastics	35%	...
39.17		Tubes, pipes and hoses, and fittings therefor (for example, joints, elbows, flanges), of plastics
	3917.10	- Artificial guts (sausage casings) of hardened protein or of cellulosic materials	35%	...
		- Tubes, pipes and hoses, rigid:
	3917.21	-- Of polymers of ethylene	35%	...
	3917.22	-- Of polymers of propylene	35%	...
	3917.23	-- Of polymers of vinyl chloride	35%	...
	3917.29	-- Of other plastics	35%	...
		- Other tubes, pipes and hoses :
	3917.31	-- Flexible tubes, pipes and hoses, having a minimum burst pressure of 27.6. MPa	35%	...
	3917.32	-- Other, not reinforced or otherwise combined with other materials, without fittings	35%	...
	3917.33	-- Other, not reinforced or otherwise combined with other materials, with fittings	35%	...
	3917.39	-- Other	35%	...
	3917.40	-  Fittings	35%	...
39.18		Floor coverings of plastics, whether or not self-adhesive, in rolls or in the form of tiles; wall or ceiling coverings of plastics, as defined in Note 9 to this Chapter
	3918.10	- Of polymers of vinyl chloride	35%	...
	3918.90	- Of other plastics	35%	...
39.19		Self-adhesive plates, sheets, film, foil, tape, strip and other flat shapes, of plastics, whether or not in rolls
	3919.10	- In rolls of a width not exceeding 20 cm	35%	...
	3919.90	- Other	35%	...
39.20		Other plates, sheets, film, foil and strip, of plastics, non-cellular and not reinforced, laminated, supported or similarly combined with other materials
	3920.10	- Of polymers of ethylene	35%	...
	3920.20	- Of polymers of propylene	35%	...
	3920.30	- Of polymers of styrene	35%	...
		- Of polymers of Vinyl Chloride:
	3920.41	-- Rigid	35%	...
	3920.42	-- Flexible	35%	...
		- Of acrylic polymers:
	3920.51	--Of polymethyl methacrylate	35%	...
	3920.59	-- Other	35%	...
		- Of polycarbonates, alkyd resins, polyallyl esters or other polyesters:
	3920.61	-- Of polycarbonates	35%	...
	3920.62	-- Of polyethylene terephthalate	35%	...
	3920.63	-- Of unsaturated polyesters	35%	...
	3920.69	-- Of other polyesters	35%	...
		-  Of cellulose or its chemical derivatives:
	3920.71	-- Of regenerated cellulose	35%	...
	3920.72	-- Of vulcanised fibre	35%	...
	3920.73	-- Of cellulose acetate	35%	...
	3920.79	-- Of other cellulose derivatives	35%	...
		- Of other plastics :
	3920.91	-- Of polyvinyl butyral	35%	...
	3920.92	-- Of polyamides	35%	...
	3920.93	-- Of amino-resins	35%	...
	3920.94	-- Of phenolic resins	35%	...
	3920.99	-- Of other plastics	35%	...
39.21		Other plates, sheets, film, foil and strip, of plastics
		-  Cellular :
	3921.11	-- Of polymers of styrene	35%	...
	3921.12	-- Of polymers of vinyl chloride	35%	...
	3921.13	-- Of polyurethanes	35%	...
	3921.14	-- Of regenerated cellulose	35%	...
	3921.19	-- Of other plastics	35%	...
	3921.90	-  Other	35%	...
39.22		Baths, shower-baths, wash-basins, bidets, lavatory pans, seats and covers, flushing cisterns and similar sanitaryware, of plastics
	3922.10	- Baths, shower-baths and wash-basins	35%	...
	3922.20	- Lavatory seats and covers	35%	...
	3922.90	- Other	35%	...
39.23		Articles for the conveyance or packing of goods, of plastics; stoppers, lids, caps and other closures, of plastics
	3923.10	- Boxes, cases, crates and similar articles	35%	...
		- Sacks and bags (including cones):
	3923.21	-- Of polymers of ethylene	35%	...
	3923.29	-- Of other plastics	35%	...
	3923.30	-Carboys, bottles, flasks and similar articles	35%	...
	3923.40	- Spools, cops, bobbins and similar supports	35%	...
	3923.50	- Stoppers, lids, caps and other closures	35%	...
	3923.90	-Other	35%	...
39.24		Tableware, kitchenware, other household articles and toilet articles, of plastics
	3924.10	- Tableware and kitchenware	35%	...
	3924.90	- Other	35%	...
39.25		Builders' ware of plastics, not elsewhere specified or included
	3925.10	- Reservoirs, tanks, vats and similar containers, of a capacity exceeding 300 L.	35%	...
	3925.20	- Doors, windows and their frames and thresholds for doors	35%	...
	3925.30	- Shutters, blinds (including Venetian blinds) and similar articles and parts thereof	35%	...
	3925.90	- Other	35%	...
39.26		Other articles of plastics and articles of other materials of heading Nos. 39.01 to 39.14
	3926.10	- Office or school supplies	35%	...
	3926.20	- Articles of apparel and clothing accessories (including gloves)	35%	...
	3926.30	- Fittings for furniture, coachwork or the like	35%	...
	3926.40	- Statuettes and other ornamental articles	35%	...
	3926.90	- Other	35%	...