Polybutylene Terephthalate (PBT) Resin from China

Polybutylene terephthalate (PBT) is a thermoplastic polyester resin in primary pellet form used for injection molding in automotive and electrical components. It falls under HTS 3907.99.5050 as 'other polyesters, other' because PBT is a polyester where terephthalic acid and butanediol monomers predominate by weight, not specifically named elsewhere in the heading.

Duty Rate — China → United States

41.5%

Rate breakdown

9903.03.0110%Except for products described in headings 9903.03.02–9903.03.11, articles the product of any country, as provided for in subdivision (aa) of U.S. note 2 to this subchapter
9903.88.0225%Except as provided in headings 9903.88.12, 9903.88.17, 9903.88.20, 9903.88.54, 9903.88.59, 9903.88.61, 9903.88.63, 9903.88.66, 9903.88.67, 9903.88.68, 9903.88.69, or 9903.88.70, articles the product of China, as provided for in U.S. note 20(c) to this subchapter and as provided for in the subheadings enumerated in U.S. note 20(d)

Import Tips

Obtain detailed monomer composition certificates to confirm predominant monomer for polyester classification under subheading notes

Ensure primary form (pellets/resin) documentation; finished articles shift to Chapter 39 headings like 3926

Verify no chemical modification exceeding base polymer to avoid 'Other' subheading misclassification