Ethylene is the world's most produced organic chemical and a foundational petrochemical feedstock, primarily used to manufacture polyethylene, PVC, and ethylene oxide. Supply is highly concentrated among US shale-advantaged producers and Middle Eastern state enterprises, with the US becoming a dominant exporter following the shale gas revolution. Trade flows are constrained by complex cryogenic logistics infrastructure, making long-term supply agreements and dedicated terminal capacity critical for market access.
HS Code 290121 covers Ethylene under the Harmonized System. It is used for customs declarations, import duty assessment, trade statistics, export documentation, and sourcing analysis.
Products classified under HS 290121 are used across Polyethylene production, Ethylene oxide, Vinyl chloride (PVC), Ethylbenzene/Styrene, Ethanol. Demand is driven by Plastics demand, Packaging industry growth, Construction activity, Automotive production.
Major exporting countries include South Korea, Netherlands, United States, United Kingdom, Japan based on recent international trade reporting.
Demand is linked to Plastics demand, Packaging industry growth, Construction activity, Automotive production. Input costs are influenced by Natural gas liquids (ethane) or naphtha.
Active US trade measures:
Verify final rates with HTSUS, TARIC, CBIC India, and a licensed customs broker.
US importers of Ethylene must classify at the HTS10 level. Additional measures such as Section 232, Section 301, ADD/CVD, or Chapter 99 provisions may apply depending on the exact classification and origin.
EU importers classify Ethylene at TARIC10 level. Preferential treatment may apply where rules of origin are satisfied under EU trade agreements. Intra-EU trade is duty-free.
India assesses Ethylene at the HS8 level under the CBIC Customs Tariff. The applicable duty framework is: BCD 2.50% + SWS 0.30% + IGST 18% = 21.31% effective gross rate. IGST is generally recoverable for registered B2B importers via GST filing.
Based on recent international trade data, the leading exporting countries for Ethylene are:
These corridors show where trade activity is concentrated. Buyers use this signal to identify supplier depth, established logistics lanes, and alternative sourcing markets.
| HS Code | 290121 |
| Product | Ethylene |
| Chapter | 29 — Industrial Chemical |
| Major exporting countries | South Korea, Netherlands, United States, United Kingdom, Japan |
| Primary industries | Polyethylene production, Ethylene oxide, Vinyl chloride (PVC), Ethylbenzene/Styrene, Ethanol |
| Trade year | 2024 |
| US duty framework | HTS10 classification dependent |
| EU duty framework | TARIC10 classification dependent |
| India BCD | 2.50% BCD |
Logitality sourcing intelligence for HS 290121 combines global trade corridors, tariff data, commodity cost signals, FX movement, and supplier-country analysis to compare origins by estimated landed cost.
Compare supplier countries for HS 290121 by full duty stack and landed cost.
Run sourcing intelligence →Read the detailed sourcing guide for HS 290121 Ethylene, including supplier-country analysis, trade-flow context, and procurement considerations.
HS Code 290121 Ethylene: Global Sourcing Guide for Procurement Professionals (2025) →
HS Code 290121 covers Ethylene and is used for customs declarations, trade statistics, import duty assessment, and sourcing analysis.
Duty varies by destination and classification. US: HTS10 classification dependent. EU: TARIC10 classification dependent. India: 2.50% BCD.
Major exporting countries include South Korea, Netherlands, United States, United Kingdom, Japan, based on recent trade reporting.