WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Plastics Industry Association (PLASTICS) Chief Economist, Dr. Perc Pineda, has released a new economic analysis examining proposed amendments to the Harmonized System (HS)—the global framework used to classify traded goods—and their impact on plastics trade, with changes potentially affecting billions of dollars in U.S. imports and exports.
Dr. Pineda writes, “Based on 2025 trade flows, the amendments to the HS would lead to changes in classification of about $8.8 billion of U.S. plastics industry exports and $15.5 billion of U.S. plastics industry imports. The current USITC recommendation to the WCO excludes changes to plastics equipment/mold classification. The proposed changes present an opportunity for the industry to articulate its views – in support for changes that provides positive improvement thereby facilitating trade – as well as providing feedback detailing how the proposed changes are inconsistent with industry practices and need to be improved upon or reconsidered.”
Click here to read the full analysis on the PLASTICS blog.
About the Plastics Industry Association
The Plastics Industry Association (PLASTICS) supports the entire plastics supply chain, including Equipment Suppliers, Material Suppliers, Processors, and Recyclers, representing over one million workers in our $551 billion U.S. industry. PLASTICS advances the priorities of our members who are dedicated to investing in technologies that improve capabilities and advances in recycling and sustainability and providing essential products that allow for the protection and safety of our lives. Since 1937, PLASTICS has been working to make its members, and the eighth largest U.S. manufacturing industry, more globally competitive while supporting circularity through educational initiatives, industry-leading insights and events, convening opportunities and policy advocacy, including the largest plastics trade show in the Americas, NPE: The Plastics Show.
