Synthetic staple fibers, not carded, combed or otherwise processed for spinning
11 declarable lines
Heading 5503 covers synthetic staple fibers that are not carded, combed or otherwise processed for spinning. It is split by material: nylon or other polyamides, polyesters, acrylic or modacrylic, polypropylene, vinyon, and other. The nylon lines split by aramid status and nylon 12 content, and the polyester lines split by bicomponent bonding fiber type and by decitex.
Products in this heading
- Polyester staple fiber for nonwoven batting
- Sheath-core bicomponent polyester bonding fiber
- Aramid staple fiber for flame-resistant textiles
- Nylon 12 staple fiber for industrial nonwovens
- Polypropylene staple fiber for geotextiles or nonwovens
- Acrylic staple fiber in loose form
- Vinyon staple fiber
How to choose the right subheading
- Material: nylon or other polyamides, polyester, acrylic or modacrylic, polypropylene, vinyon, or another synthetic fiber.
- For nylon or other polyamides: whether the fiber is aramid, contains 10% or more by weight of nylon 12, or is other.
- For polyesters: whether the fiber is a bicomponent bonding fiber, or its decitex range: less than 3.3, 3.3 or more but less than 13.2, or 13.2 or more.
- For other materials: whether the fiber is vinyon or another synthetic staple fiber.
- Whether the fiber has been carded, combed or otherwise processed for spinning; if so, it is not in heading 5503.
Often confused with
- Heading 5506Synthetic staple fibers that are carded, combed or otherwise processed for spinning
Processing for spinning moves the fiber out of heading 5503.
- Heading 5501Synthetic filament tow
Tow is a filament product, not staple fiber.
- Heading 5504Artificial staple fibers, not carded or combed
Artificial fibers are classified separately from synthetic fibers.
- Heading 5505Yarn waste or garnetted stock of man-made fibers
Waste of man-made fibers is covered by heading 5505.
Frequently asked questions
What is the HTS code for polyester staple fiber not carded or combed?
Use 5503.20.00 and choose the line by decitex or bicomponent type. For 3.3 decitex or more but less than 13.2 decitex, the code is 5503.20.00.45, general (MFN) 4.3%.
What is the duty on aramid staple fiber?
Aramid staple fiber not carded or combed is classified in 5503.11.00.00. Its general (MFN) rate is 4.3%.
How do I classify nylon 12 staple fiber?
If the fiber is not carded or combed and contains 10% or more by weight of nylon 12, use 5503.19.10.00; the general (MFN) rate is Free. If it does not meet that nylon 12 test, use 5503.19.90.00, general (MFN) 4.3%.
Guide written from the official schedule text. Rates quoted are general (MFN) rates; check the line page for trade agreement rates and the classification of your exact product.
All lines in heading 5503
- 5503.11.00.00Synthetic staple fibers, not carded, combed or otherwise processed for spinning / Of nylon or other polyamides / Of aramids4.3%
- 5503.19.10.00Containing 10 percent or more by weight of nylon 12Free
- 5503.19.90.00Synthetic staple fibers, not carded, combed or otherwise processed for spinning / Of nylon or other polyamides / Other4.3%
- 5503.20.00.15Bi-component fibers having an outer copolymer sheath that melts at a lower temperature than the core, of a kind used for bonding fibers together4.3%
- 5503.20.00.25Measuring less than 3.3 decitex4.3%
- 5503.20.00.45Measuring 3.3 decitex or more but less than 13.2 decitex4.3%
- 5503.20.00.65Measuring 13.2 decitex or more4.3%
- 5503.30.00.00Synthetic staple fibers, not carded, combed or otherwise processed for spinning / Acrylic or modacrylic4.3%
- 5503.40.00.00Synthetic staple fibers, not carded, combed or otherwise processed for spinning / Of polypropylene4.3%
- 5503.90.10.00Synthetic staple fibers, not carded, combed or otherwise processed for spinning / Of vinyonFree
- 5503.90.90.00Synthetic staple fibers, not carded, combed or otherwise processed for spinning / Other4.3%