Classification of processed or finished products
When classifying transformed or finished plastic products, it is useful to know as much as possible about them, especially:
The function or role of the products.
The polymer from which they are made.
The method of manufacture.
The function or role of the products is essential to classify them correctly. The composition and method of manufacture can also be useful in classifying products correctly, although this is not always the case.
However, to make the classification process faster, it is an excellent idea to have all this information available. Manufacturing techniques To manufacture finished products, polymers in primary forms are processed by three different processes:
Injection molding is used to form plastic into hollow profiles, such as bottles and containers, toys or fuel tanks.
Compression molding is used to achieve specific shapes using a mold, such as knobs and handles for frying pans, irons, pots or electrical fittings, such as plugs, sockets or lamp fittings.
Extrusion creates shapes by passing material through a metal forming die; for example films, sheets, rods, profiles, tubes or pipes.
Classification of specific types of processed or finished products.
If waste, parings and scrap (heading 3915) have been transformed into a primary form, they should be classified as such in the appropriate heading 3901 through 3914.When classifying tubes and pipes (heading 3917), it should be remembered that the definition covers all hollow products, whether semi-manufactured or finished, that are used to transport gases or liquids, such as ribbed irrigation hoses, perforated tubes or flat tubes.
However, if the products have an inner cross-section that is not round, oval, rectangular or any other regular polygon, they should be classified as profiles.
To classify a product as a wall or ceiling covering of plastics (heading 3918), its width must be greater than 54 centimeters; this heading includes plastics permanently fixed to a backing other than paper. In addition, the plastic sheeting must be decorated by inlay, coloring, printing or graining in order to differentiate it from certain types of decorating paper.
Certain very specific products are classified under articles for construction, of plastics (heading 3925). This heading specifically covers:
Tanks, reservoirs, tanks (including septic tanks or cesspools), vats and similar containers of a capacity exceeding 300l.
Structural elements used for the construction of floors, walls, partitions, ceilings or roofs.
Gutters and their accessories.
Doors, windows and their frames, counterframes and thresholds.
Railings, handrails and similar barriers.
Shutters, blinds (including Venetian blinds) and similar articles, and parts and accessories thereof.
Large shelves for mounting and permanent fixing, e.g. in stores, workshops or warehouses.
Architectural decorative motifs, e.g., grooves, domes or finials.
Fixtures and fittings for permanent attachment to doors, windows, staircases, walls and other parts of a building, in particular, handles, knobs or handles, hooks, brackets, towel rails, switch plates and other protective plates.
In some cases, textile material may be added to plastic products to reinforce them. If the plastic is cellular and has been covered only on one side with fabric, it is to be classified in the appropriate heading of Chapter 39. If the plastic is covered on both sides, the products are to be classified as textile materials in the appropriate heading of Chapter 59.
Source: http://trade.ec.europa.eu