In this paper a numerical model for laser beam scattering in the semi-transparent polymers is presented, using a Monte Carlo algorithm and the Mie theory. The algorithm correctly accounts for the independent multiply-scattered light. We describe the algorithm, present a number of important parameters that account in the welding process, and explicitly show how the algorithm can be used to estimate the laser beam intensity both inside the semi-transparent component and at the welding interface and the beam widening. For the model validation an experimental bench test has been realized and some results from two test cases are presented. (c) 2006 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.