What is the customs duty for Poly(lactic acid) (code 390770)?

The standard EU customs duty rate for code 390770 is 6.5%. This rate applies to imports from third countries (erga omnes). Lower preferential rates may apply for countries with trade agreements.

What VAT applies to imports under code 390770?

The standard import VAT rate is 23%. VAT is calculated on the customs value plus duty and any applicable excise taxes.

What documents are needed to import goods under code 390770?

Importing goods under code 390770 may require 33 types of documents and certificates. See the tariff measures table on this page for details on required documentation.

How to calculate import costs for code 390770?

Use the Celna24 customs calculator — enter the goods value, country of origin, and code 390770, and the calculator will compute the duty, VAT, and total import cost.

3907 70 — Poly(lactic acid) | Duty 6.5%, VAT 23%

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PLASTICS AND ARTICLES THEREOF›Polyacetals, other polyethers and epoxide resins, in primary forms; polycarbonates, alkyd resins, polyallyl esters and other polyesters, in primary forms

Poly(lactic acid)

Standard EU duty

6.5%

VAT

23%

Additional duties / sanctions

0 rules

Docs required

33 docs

Y054Y121Y123Y160Y163Y169+27

Standard rates

Applies to	Type	Rate	Conditions	Regulation
ERGA OMNES	Third country duty	6.5%	—	R1549/06

Preferences

ERGA OMNES 0%AD 0%AL 0%BA 0%CA 0%CAMER 0%CARI 0%CH 0%CI 0%CL 0%CM 0%CO 0%DZ 0%EBA 0%EC 0%EEA 0%EG 0%EH 0%ESA 0%EUCA 0%FJ 0%FO 0%GB 0%GE 0%GH 0%GSP 0%GSP+ 0%IL 0%JO 0%JP 0%KE 0%KR 0%LB 0%LOMB 0%MA 0%MD 0%ME 0%MK 0%MX 0%NZ 0%PE 0%PG 0%PS 0%SADC EPA 0%SB 0%SG 0%SM 0%SWITZ 0%SY 0%TN 0%TR 0%UA 0%VN 0%WS 0%XC 0%XK 0%XL 0%XS 0%ZA 0%

Notes

TM861The suspension of the autonomous Common Customs Tariff duties for the agricultural and industrial products, listed in the Annex of Regulation (EU) 2021/2278, does not apply to any mixtures, preparations or products made up of different components containing these products. Article 1 paragraph 2 of Regulation (EU) 2021/2278

CD303The relief from or reduction of customs duties shall be subject to the specific request expressed by the declarant in box 44 "Additional information/Documents produced/Certificates and authorisations", of the Single Administrative Document (SAD)

TM904Preferences granted under the agreement between the European Union and Morocco in force from 19 July 2019.As of 3 October 2025, products originating in Western Sahara subject to controls by the customs authorities of the Kingdom of Morocco shall benefit from trade preferences under the terms of the new Agreement in the form of exchange of letters between the EU and Morocco, The European Union and the Kingdom of Morocco have agreed to allow those products to be identified by reference to the region of origin to be included in the proof of origin and as provided for in Protocol 4.In view of the application of these measures, the origin certificates codes U179 and U180 must be declared.The country code to be entered in the origin declaration when these proofs of origin are used is “EH”.

CD727Eligibility to benefit from this preference is subject to the presentation of an origin declaration stating the European Union origin of the goods, in the context of the Canada-European Union Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA).

CD906The list of non-eligible locations and their postal codes is available at the following address: http://ec.europa.eu/taxation_customs/customs/technical-arrangement_postal-codes.pdf

CD500Eligibility to benefit from this preference is subject to the presentation of a proof of origin stating the community origin of the goods, in the context of the agreement between the European Union and the Swiss Confederation.

Import control of fluorinated greenhouse gases

ERGA OMNESR0573/24

Documents / references

Y054Y121Y123Y160Y163Y169

Conditions

Y001Other conditions: Y160— Import/export allowed after control
Y005Other conditions: Y169— Import/export allowed after control
Y090Other conditions: the condition is not fulfilled— Import/export not allowed after control
YA001Other conditions: Y123— Import/export allowed after control
YA005Other conditions: Y160— Import/export allowed after control
YA090Other conditions: the condition is not fulfilled— Import/export not allowed after control
YC001Other conditions: Y054— Import/export allowed after control
YC005Other conditions: Y160— Import/export allowed after control
YC090Other conditions: the condition is not fulfilled— Import/export not allowed after control
YD001Other conditions: Y163— Import/export allowed after control
YD005Other conditions: Y160— Import/export allowed after control
YD090Other conditions: the condition is not fulfilled— Import/export not allowed after control
YE001Other conditions: Y121— Import/export allowed after control
YE005Other conditions: Y160— Import/export allowed after control
YE090Other conditions: the condition is not fulfilled— Import/export not allowed after control

Notes

CD917By virtue of Article 4(6) of Regulation (EU) 2024/573, the placing on the market of fluorinated greenhouse gases shall be prohibited, unless importers provide evidence that any trifluoromethane, produced as a by-product during the production process of the fluorinated greenhouse gases has been destroyed or recovered for subsequent use, using best available techniques.By virtue of Article 11.1. of Regulation (EU) 2024/573, the placing on the market of products and equipment, including parts thereof, listed in Annex IV, with an exemption for military equipment, shall be prohibited from the date specified in that Annex.By virtue of Article 11.1 sub paragraph 2 (a)(b), (c) of Regulation (I) 2024/573, the placing on the market of parts of products and equipment required for repair and servicing of existing equipment listed in Annex IV shall be allowed. By virtue of Article 11.3. of Regulation (EU) 2024/573, the placing on the market of non-refillable containers for fluorinated greenhouse gases listed in Annex I and in Section 1 of Annex II, empty, or fully or partially filled, shall be prohibited.By virtue of Article 11.4 of Regulation (EU) 2024/573, undertakings which place on the market refillable containers for fluorinated greenhouse gases shall produce a declaration of conformity that includes evidence confirming that there are binding arrangements in place for the return of those containers for the purpose of refilling, in particular identifying the relevant actors, their obligatory commitments and the relevant logistical arrangements.By virtue of Article 12 of Regulation (EU) 2024/573, the following products and equipment that contain fluorinated greenhouse gases or whose functioning relies upon those gases shall only be placed on the market if they are labelled as:(a) refrigeration equipment ;(b)air-conditioning equipment ; (c)heat pumps ;(d)fire protection equipment ; (e)electrical switchgear ;(f)aerosol dispenser that contain fluorinated greenhouse gases, including metered dose inhalers;(g)all fluorinated greenhouse gas containers ;(h)fluorinated greenhouse gas-based solvents ; or(i)organic Rankine cycles.By virtue of Article 16 of Regulation (EU) 2024/573, the placing on the market of hydrofluorocarbons shall be allowed only to the extent that importers have been allocated quota by the Commission as set out in Article 17.By virtue of Article 19.1 of Regulation (EU) 2024/573, refrigeration and air-conditioning equipment, heat pumps and metered dose inhalers pre-charged with substances listed in Section 1 of Annex I shall not be placed on the market unless those substances with which the products or equipment have been pre-charged are accounted for within the quota system.By virtue of Article 19.2 of Regulation (EU) 2024/573, the placing on the market of goods falling under the provisions of Article 19.1 shall be subject to the presentation of a declaration of conformity.By virtue of Article 19.6 of Regulation (EU) 2024/573, undertakings that placed on the market less than 10 tonnes of CO2 equivalent of hydrofluorocarbons, per year, contained in the products or equipment referred to in Article 19.1 shall be exempted from the provisions of Article 19. By virtue of Article 20.4 of Regulation (EU) 2024/573, the undertakings shall have a valid registration in the F-gas Portal prior to carrying out any of the activities listed in points (a) to (g).By virtue of Article 23.3 (a) of Regulation (EU) 2024/573, the F-gas Portal registration identification number shall be declared.The information listed in Article 23.3(a) to (d) of Regulation (EU) 2024/573 shall be provided to customs authorities, where relevant, in the customs declaration.

Import control - Waste

ERGA OMNESR1013/06

Documents / references

C669C670C672Y923

Conditions

E001The quantity or the price per unit declared, as appropriate, is equal or less than the specified maximum, or presentation of the required document: C672— Import/export allowed after control
E002The quantity or the price per unit declared, as appropriate, is equal or less than the specified maximum, or presentation of the required document: C669— Import/export allowed after control
E003The quantity or the price per unit declared, as appropriate, is equal or less than the specified maximum, or presentation of the required document: Y923— Import/export allowed after control
E004The quantity or the price per unit declared, as appropriate, is equal or less than the specified maximum, or presentation of the required document: 20 kg— Import/export allowed after control
E005The quantity or the price per unit declared, as appropriate, is equal or less than the specified maximum, or presentation of the required document: the condition is not fulfilled— Import/export not allowed after control
I001The quantity or the price per unit declared, as appropriate, is equal or less than the specified maximum, or presentation of the required document: C672— Import/export allowed after control
I002The quantity or the price per unit declared, as appropriate, is equal or less than the specified maximum, or presentation of the required document: C670— Import/export allowed after control
I003The quantity or the price per unit declared, as appropriate, is equal or less than the specified maximum, or presentation of the required document: Y923— Import/export allowed after control
I004The quantity or the price per unit declared, as appropriate, is equal or less than the specified maximum, or presentation of the required document: 20 kg— Import/export allowed after control
I005The quantity or the price per unit declared, as appropriate, is equal or less than the specified maximum, or presentation of the required document: the condition is not fulfilled— Import/export not allowed after control

Notes

CD572The wastes mentioned in Article 3 (1) of Regulation (EC) No 1013/2006 shall be subject to the procedure of prior written notification and consent.
CD577The waste explicitly destined for laboratory analysis (Article 3 (4) of Regulation (EC) No 1013/2006) to assess either its physical or chemical characteristics or to determine its suitability for recovery or disposal operations shall not be subject to the procedure of prior written notification and consent. Instead, the procedural requirements of general information requirements shall apply (Article 18 of Regulation (EC) No 1013/2006). The amount of such waste exempted when explicitly destined for laboratory analysis shall be determined by the minimum quantity reasonably needed to adequately perform the analysis in each particular case, and shall not exceed 25 kg.
CD574If the wastes listed in Annex III (green list) display certain hazardous characteristics, the relevant provisions shall apply as if these wastes had been listed in Annex IV (amber list). See Article 3 (3) of Regulation (EC) No 1013/2006.
CD573The wastes mentioned in Article 3 (2) of Regulation (EC) No 1013/2006 shall be subjected to the general information requirements laid down in Article 18 of the same Regulation, if the amount of waste shipped exceeds 20 kg

Export control - Waste

ALLTCR1013/06

Documents / references

C669C670C672Y923

Conditions

E001The quantity or the price per unit declared, as appropriate, is equal or less than the specified maximum, or presentation of the required document: C672— Import/export allowed after control
E002The quantity or the price per unit declared, as appropriate, is equal or less than the specified maximum, or presentation of the required document: C669— Import/export allowed after control
E003The quantity or the price per unit declared, as appropriate, is equal or less than the specified maximum, or presentation of the required document: Y923— Import/export allowed after control
E004The quantity or the price per unit declared, as appropriate, is equal or less than the specified maximum, or presentation of the required document: 20 kg— Import/export allowed after control
E005The quantity or the price per unit declared, as appropriate, is equal or less than the specified maximum, or presentation of the required document: the condition is not fulfilled— Import/export not allowed after control
I001The quantity or the price per unit declared, as appropriate, is equal or less than the specified maximum, or presentation of the required document: C672— Import/export allowed after control
I002The quantity or the price per unit declared, as appropriate, is equal or less than the specified maximum, or presentation of the required document: C670— Import/export allowed after control
I003The quantity or the price per unit declared, as appropriate, is equal or less than the specified maximum, or presentation of the required document: Y923— Import/export allowed after control
I004The quantity or the price per unit declared, as appropriate, is equal or less than the specified maximum, or presentation of the required document: 20 kg— Import/export allowed after control
I005The quantity or the price per unit declared, as appropriate, is equal or less than the specified maximum, or presentation of the required document: the condition is not fulfilled— Import/export not allowed after control

Notes

CD572The wastes mentioned in Article 3 (1) of Regulation (EC) No 1013/2006 shall be subject to the procedure of prior written notification and consent.
CD573The wastes mentioned in Article 3 (2) of Regulation (EC) No 1013/2006 shall be subjected to the general information requirements laid down in Article 18 of the same Regulation, if the amount of waste shipped exceeds 20 kg
CD577The waste explicitly destined for laboratory analysis (Article 3 (4) of Regulation (EC) No 1013/2006) to assess either its physical or chemical characteristics or to determine its suitability for recovery or disposal operations shall not be subject to the procedure of prior written notification and consent. Instead, the procedural requirements of general information requirements shall apply (Article 18 of Regulation (EC) No 1013/2006). The amount of such waste exempted when explicitly destined for laboratory analysis shall be determined by the minimum quantity reasonably needed to adequately perform the analysis in each particular case, and shall not exceed 25 kg.
CD576Exports from the Community of the wastes, listed in Article 36 of Regulation (EC) No 1013/2006, are prohibited if they are destined for recovery in countries to which the OECD Decision does not apply (C(2001)107/Final of the OECD Council concerning the revision of Decision C(92)39/Final on control of transboundary movements of wastes destined for recovery operations).
CD574If the wastes listed in Annex III (green list) display certain hazardous characteristics, the relevant provisions shall apply as if these wastes had been listed in Annex IV (amber list). See Article 3 (3) of Regulation (EC) No 1013/2006.

Export control of fluorinated greenhouse gases

ALLTCR0573/24

Documents / references

Y121Y123Y160Y161Y163Y168

Conditions

Y001Other conditions: Y123— Import/export allowed after control
Y010Other conditions: Y160— Import/export allowed after control
Y090Other conditions: the condition is not fulfilled— Import/export not allowed after control
YB001Other conditions: Y121— Import/export allowed after control
YB010Other conditions: Y160— Import/export allowed after control
YB090Other conditions: the condition is not fulfilled— Import/export not allowed after control
YC001Other conditions: Y163— Import/export allowed after control
YC010Other conditions: Y160— Import/export allowed after control
YC090Other conditions: the condition is not fulfilled— Import/export not allowed after control
YD001Other conditions: Y168— Import/export allowed after control
YD010Other conditions: Y160— Import/export allowed after control
YD020Other conditions: Y161— Import/export allowed after control
YD090Other conditions: the condition is not fulfilled— Import/export not allowed after control

Notes

TM01012By virtue of Article 22.3.para 2 (Reg 2024/573) :From 12 March 2025 the export of foams, technical aerosols, stationary refrigeration and stationary air-conditioning equipment and stationary heat pumps as referred to in Annex IV that contain, or whose functioning relies upon, fluorinated greenhouse gases with a GWP of 1 000 or more shall be prohibited.The prohibition set out in the first subparagraph shall not apply to military equipment or to products and equipment that can be placed on the market in the Union in accordance with Annex IV.;
CD918By virtue of Article 22 (1) of Regulation (EU) 2024/573 export of fluorinated greenhouse gases, and products and equipment containing those gases or whose functioning relies upon those gases shall be subject to the presentation of a valid licence to customs authorities issued by the Commission pursuant to Article 20(4) and (5).By virtue of Article 20(5) a valid registration in the F-Gas Portal at the moment of export constitutes a licence required under Article 22.By virtue of Article 22 (1), second paragraph, the provisions from Article 22 (1) do not apply to products and equipment that are personal effects.By virtue of Article 11(3) export of non-refillable containers for fluorinated greenhouse gases listed in Annex I and in Section 1 of Annex II empty, or fully or partially filled, shall be prohibited. Such containers may only be stored or transported for subsequent disposal. The containers for laboratory or analytical uses of fluorinated greenhouse gases are excluded from export prohibition (Article 11(3)).By virtue of Article 12.9. of Regulation (EU) 2024/573 containers containing fluorinated greenhouse gases listed in Annex I and intended for direct export shall be labelled with an indication that the contents of the container are for direct export only.The information listed in Article 23.3(a) to (d) of Regulation (EU) 2024/573 shall be provided to customs authorities, where relevant, in the customs declaration.By virtue of article 22.5 of Reg. (EU) 573/2024 each undertaking with an establishment within the Union shall take all necessary measures to ensure that the export of refrigeration and air-conditioning equipment and of heat pumps, does not violate import restrictions that the importing state has notified under the Protocol.

Import control

BYR0765/06

Documents / references

L152Y727Y728Y870

Conditions

Y001Other conditions: Y727— Import/export allowed after control
Y010Other conditions: Y728— Import/export allowed after control
Y050Other conditions: L152— Import/export allowed after control
Y080Other conditions: Y870— Import/export allowed after control
Y090Other conditions: the condition is not fulfilled— Import/export not allowed after control

Notes

CD925It shall be prohibited to purchase, import, or transfer into the Union, directly or indirectly, goods which allow Belarus to diversify its sources of revenue, thereby enabling its involvement in the Russian aggression against Ukraine, as listed in Annex XXVII, if they originate in Belarus or are exported from Belarus.Article 1ra - Regulation (EU) 765/2006 (COUNCIL REGULATION (EU) 2024/1865)

Export control

BYR0765/06

Documents / references

X844Y719Y745

Conditions

Y001Other conditions: Y719— Import/export allowed after control
Y010Other conditions: Y745— Import/export allowed after control
Y020Other conditions: X844— Import/export allowed after control
Y090Other conditions: the condition is not fulfilled— Import/export not allowed after control

Notes

CD922It shall be prohibited to sell, supply, transfer or export, directly or indirectly, goods which could contribute in particular to the enhancement of Belarusian industrial capacities, whether or not originating in the Union, as listed in Annex XVIII, to any natural or legal person, entity or body in Belarus or for use in Belarus.Article 1bb.1 - Regulation (EC) No 765/2006 (COUNCIL REGULATION (EU) 2024/1865)

Export control

RUR0833/14

Documents / references

X834X840Y708Y833

Conditions

Y001Other conditions: X834— Import/export allowed after control
Y005Other conditions: X840— Import/export allowed after control
Y010Other conditions: Y833— Import/export allowed after control
Y030Other conditions: Y708— Import/export allowed after control
Y090Other conditions: the condition is not fulfilled— Import/export not allowed after control

Notes

CD869It shall be prohibited to sell, supply, transfer or export, directly or indirectly, goods which could contribute in particular to the enhancement of Russian industrial capacities as listed in Annex XXIII, to any natural or legal person, entity or body in Russia or for use in Russia.

Import control

RUR0833/14

Documents / references

L142L143Y859Y874

Conditions

B001Presentation of a certificate/licence/document: L142— Import allowed
B002Presentation of a certificate/licence/document: Y874— Import allowed
B004Presentation of a certificate/licence/document: L143— Import allowed
B030Presentation of a certificate/licence/document: Y859— Import allowed
B090Presentation of a certificate/licence/document: the condition is not fulfilled— Import is not allowed

Notes

CD875It shall be prohibited to purchase, import, or transfer, directly or indirectly, goods which generate significant revenues for Russia thereby enabling its actions destabilising the situation in Ukraine, as listed in Annex XXI into the Union if they originate in Russia or are exported from Russia.With regard to the goods listed in Part B of Annex XXI, the prohibitions in paragraph 1 shall not apply to the execution until 8 January 2023 of contracts concluded before 7 October 2022, or of ancillary contracts necessary for the execution of such contracts.By way of derogation from paragraphs 1, the competent authorities may authorise the purchase, import or transfer of the goods listed in Annex XXI, or the provision of related technical and financial assistance, under such conditions as they deem appropriate, after having determined that this is necessary for the establishment, operation, maintenance, fuel supply and retreatment and safety of civil nuclear capabilities, and the continuation of design, construction and commissioning required for the completion of civil nuclear facilities, the supply of precursor material for the production of medical radioisotopes and similar medical applications, or critical technology for environmental radiation monitoring, as well as for civil nuclear cooperation, in particular in the field of research and development.Council Regulation (EU) No 833/2014 - Article 3i (Council regulation (EU) 2022/576)

Import control

UAR0692/14

Documents / references

N954U045U078U079Y997

Conditions

Y001Other conditions: Y997— Import allowed
Y002Other conditions: U078— Import allowed
Y003Other conditions: U079— Import allowed
Y005Other conditions: N954— Import allowed
Y007Other conditions: U045— Import allowed
Y009Other conditions: the condition is not fulfilled— Import is not allowed

Notes

CD967I. According to Council Regulation (EU) No 692/2014, it shall be prohibited to import into European Union goods originating in Crimea or Sevastopol.The prohibition shall not apply in respect of goods originating in Crimea or Sevastopol which have been made available to the Ukrainian authorities for examination, for which compliance with the conditions conferring entitlement to preferential origin has been verified and for which a certificate of origin has been issued in accordance with the Association Agreement between the European Union and its Member States, of the one part, and Ukraine, of the other part.II. According to the Council Regulation (EU) 692/2014, the export of goods and technologies suited for use in the sectors of transport; telecommunications; energy; prospection, exploration and production of oil, gas and mineral resources is prohibited:(a) to any natural or legal person, entity or body in Crimea or Sevastopol, or(b) for use in Crimea or Sevastopol.

Import control

UAR0263/22

Documents / references

N954U045U078U079Y984

Conditions

Y001Other conditions: Y984— Import/export allowed after control
Y002Other conditions: N954— Import/export allowed after control
Y005Other conditions: U045— Import/export allowed after control
Y006Other conditions: U078— Import/export allowed after control
Y007Other conditions: U079— Import/export allowed after control
Y009Other conditions: the condition is not fulfilled— Import/export not allowed after control

Notes

CD860According to Council Regulation (EU) 2022/263 (OJ L42I, p. 77):I. It shall be prohibited to import into the European Union goods originating in non-government controlled areas of the Donetsk, Kherson, Luhansk and Zaporizhzhia oblasts of Ukraine.The import prohibitions not apply in respect of: (a) the execution until 24 May 2022 of trade contracts concluded before 23 February 2022, or of ancillary contracts necessary for the execution of such contracts, provided that the natural or legal person, entity or body seeking to perform the contract has notified, at least 10 working days in advance, the activity or transaction to the competent authority of the Member State in which they are established; (b) goods originating in the specified territories which have been made available to the Ukrainian authorities for examination, for which compliance with the conditions conferring entitlement to preferential origin has been verified and for which a certificate of origin has been issued in accordance with the EU-Ukraine Association Agreement.II. It shall be prohibited to sell, supply, transfer or export goods and technology listed in Annex II to Council Regulation (EU) 2022/263: (a) to any natural or legal person, entity or body in the specified territories, or (b) for use in the specified territories. Annex II shall include certain goods and technologies suited for use in the following key sectors: (i) transport;(ii) telecommunications;(iii) energy; (iv) the prospecting, exploration and production of oil, gas and mineral resources. The prohibitions in point II above shall be without prejudice to the execution until 24 August 2022 of an obligation arising from a contract concluded before 23 February 2022, or from ancillary contracts necessary for the execution of such contracts, provided that the competent authority has been informed at least five working days in advance.

Binding Tariff Information

BTI classification examples

DEgold491/23-1

Polymer mixture of saturated polyesters, mainly PLA

kwas polimlekowy (PLA)GRI 1GRI 6

DEgold643/24-1

Artificial snow flakes - shredded PLA foil

kwas polimlekowy (PLA)GRI 1GRI 6

DEgold703/23-1

PLA polymer mixture in primary form

kwas polimlekowy (PLA)GRI 1GRI 6

LVgold24-BTI57

Polyether polyol F3500EF liquid for polyurethane foam

polioeterpoliol (polimer)GRI 1GRI 6

LVsilver24-BTI65

Polyether polyol F6028 liquid for polyurethane foam

polioeterpoliol (polimer)GRI 1GRI 6

BTI (Binding Tariff Information) is an official EU customs decision confirming the classification of goods. Valid for 3 years, binding across all EU member states.

Product characteristics and tariff classification

CN code 390770 covers polylactide (PLA, polylactic acid) in primary forms. PLA is a bioplastic produced from renewable resources, most commonly corn starch or sugarcane. The monomer is lactic acid or lactide (cyclic dimer of lactic acid). PLA is biodegradable under industrial composting conditions, making it a material of growing importance in the circular economy and as a replacement for fossil-based polymers. PLA features good transparency, rigidity and 3D printability. Products come as granules, powder or fibres. PLA is used in packaging, disposable cups, textile fibres, 3D printing, biodegradable medical implants and agricultural applications.

Regulatory requirements and certification

Importing PLA into the EU is subject to REACH. PLA as a polymer is exempt from registration, but lactic acid monomer is subject to REACH. Food-contact PLA must comply with Regulation (EU) No 10/2011 – lactic acid is listed on the authorised substances list. PLA biodegradable under industrial composting may be certified according to EN 13432, required for labelling as compostable. The SUP Directive (EU) 2019/904 also covers bioplastics – single-use PLA products are subject to the same restrictions as fossil polymer products. PLA for medical implants is subject to the Medical Devices Regulation (EU) 2017/745.

Trade and customs procedures

When importing PLA under CN code 390770, customs documentation should include a specification with PLA type (L-PLA, D-PLA, PDLLA), MFI, melting point, raw material origin and commercial form. Duty rates should be verified in the TARIC system. The PLA market is dominated by NatureWorks (USA) and TotalEnergies Corbion (Netherlands/Thailand), with growing competition from Chinese producers. Global PLA production exceeds 500,000 tonnes annually and is growing rapidly. PLA granules are transported as non-hazardous goods.

Frequently asked questions

Is PLA biodegradable?

PLA is biodegradable under industrial composting conditions (temperature above 58 degrees Celsius, humidity above 50 percent) according to EN 13432. PLA does not biodegrade under natural conditions or in home composting within a reasonable time. Compostability certification (e.g. TUV Austria OK Compost) is required for labelling a product as compostable.

Is PLA subject to the SUP Directive?

Yes. The SUP Directive (EU) 2019/904 covers single-use plastic products regardless of biodegradability or renewable resource origin. Single-use cups, plates and cutlery made from PLA are subject to the same restrictions as fossil polymer products. Importing PLA granules (code 390770) itself is not subject to SUP restrictions.

Is PLA more expensive than PET?

PLA is typically more expensive than PET due to smaller production scale and higher raw material costs. PLA price depends on corn starch costs and energy in the fermentation process. Growing production scale and new plants may reduce the price gap in the future. Accurate price comparison requires current market quotations.

Useful tools & resources

Customs calculators

Duty & VAT CalculatorCalculate customs duty and VAT for "Poly(lactic acid)" and see the full import cost.Import Profitability CalculatorCheck the import profitability of "Poly(lactic acid)" with all costs included.

Related glossary terms

Customs Duty Customs Value MFN Rate