HS Code:
The category of Tableware, kitchenware, other household articles, and hygienic or toilet articles, of plastics (HS Code: 3924) encompasses a wide range of plastic products used in households. This includes items such as plates, cups, cutlery, storage containers, bathroom accessories, and other utilitarian plastic goods. These products are integral to daily life, offering affordability, durability, and convenience. The global trade of these items is driven by consumer demand for cost-effective household solutions, the rise of disposable products, and increasing urbanization. Production is often concentrated in countries with strong manufacturing capabilities and low labor costs, while consumption is widespread across both developed and developing markets.
Total Trade Volume
USD 15.2 billion
Data from 2022
Source
United Nations Comtrade Database
Average Rate
6.5%
Highest Rate
12% (applied by certain developing countries to protect local industries)
Lowest Rate
0% (under free trade agreements like EU Single Market or USMCA)
Shift towards sustainable plastics
Growing demand for biodegradable and recycled plastic products due to environmental regulations and consumer awareness is reshaping production and trade patterns.
2021-2023
Rise in e-commerce
Increased online sales of household plastic items have boosted trade volumes, especially for small and medium-sized exporters targeting niche markets.
2020-2022
Regional production shifts
Manufacturing is diversifying from China to Southeast Asian countries like Vietnam and Thailand due to rising labor costs and trade tensions.
2019-2023
The European Union expanded its ban on single-use plastics, including certain tableware items, under the Single-Use Plastics Directive, pushing manufacturers to innovate with eco-friendly alternatives.
July 2023
Reduced trade of traditional plastic tableware to EU markets, increased demand for biodegradable substitutes.
Ongoing trade tensions led to additional tariffs on Chinese plastic household goods imported into the US, prompting importers to seek alternative suppliers.
January 2022
Diversification of supply chains, benefiting exporters from countries like Turkey and Vietnam.
Negotiations under the UN Environment Programme for a global treaty to combat plastic pollution have gained momentum, potentially affecting future trade regulations.
March 2023
Uncertainty in long-term trade planning for plastic household goods as stricter global standards loom.