HS Code for Tape

Adhesive tape is classified by what the tape is made of, and the base material decides the heading. Self-adhesive tape of plastics points toward heading 3919, which covers self-adhesive plates, sheets, film and tape of plastics, while gummed or self-adhesive paper tape points toward heading 4811, the provision for coated, gummed and adhesive paper. Within the plastic heading, a second branch is the width: tape in rolls of a width not exceeding 20 cm points toward subheading 3919.10, and wider or other forms toward 3919.90. Those splits also affect the estimate; plastic tapes run roughly 5.8% to 6.5%, while gummed paper tapes are estimated at Free. Identifying whether the tape is plastic or paper first, then its form and width, is the first step in exploring the most appropriate line.

Adhesive tape branches first by base material, so the starting question is what the tape itself is made of rather than a single tape heading. Self-adhesive tape of plastics points toward heading 3919, the provision for self-adhesive plates, sheets, film, foil, tape and strip of plastics, whether or not in rolls. Gummed or self-adhesive paper tape points instead toward heading 4811, which covers paper and paperboard that is coated, impregnated, gummed or adhesive.

Within the plastics heading, the next branch is the width and form of the tape. Self-adhesive plastic tape in rolls of a width not exceeding 20 cm points toward subheading 3919.10, where the featured statistical lines include pavement marking tape and filament reinforced tape. Wider self-adhesive plastic sheeting, and other forms, point toward subheading 3919.90, where the featured lines include sheeting with a glass-bead light-reflecting surface and reflectorized sheeting. So for a plastic tape, the roll width around the 20 cm threshold is the practical dividing line between 3919.10 and 3919.90.

Within the paper heading, gummed or self-adhesive paper tape points toward the 4811.41 group for gummed or adhesive paper, with lines that separate wide strips, rolls and large sheets from narrower strips and rolls and from other forms. A kraft paper packing tape and a gummed paper label stock are typical examples that point toward this group rather than the plastics heading.

A practical approach is to identify the base material first (plastic film versus paper), then, for plastic tape, note the roll width against the 20 cm threshold, and for paper tape, the strip or roll form. The main article to keep separate is adhesive tape built on a textile fabric backing: a rubberized or coated textile tape points toward the textile provisions in chapter 59 (such as heading 5906) rather than heading 3919 or 4811, so the backing material is worth confirming. It is generally better to match the tape to its base-material heading than to reach for broad article provisions elsewhere.

Estimated duty for adhesive tape depends on the base material. Self-adhesive plastic tape in narrow rolls at subheading 3919.10 is estimated around 6.5% for pavement marking tape and around 5.8% for filament reinforced tape, and other self-adhesive plastic sheeting at 3919.90 is estimated around 6.5% for glass-bead (ballotini) surfaces and around 5.8% for reflectorized sheeting. Gummed or self-adhesive paper tape in the 4811.41 group is estimated at a general rate of Free. Because plastic tapes are dutiable while gummed paper tapes are estimated Free, confirming the base material has a real effect on the estimate. Preferential rates under free trade agreements may reduce or eliminate these duties for qualifying origins. These figures are estimates for general planning purposes only.