HS Code 5501
Synthetic Filament Tow
HS code 5501 is for synthetic filament tow, consisting of parallel filaments of a uniform length, typically used as raw material for staple fibre production.
4-digit Section XIFCL
HS Code 5501 — Synthetic Filament Tow
This refers to a continuous bundle of many thousands of synthetic filaments. It is a precursor material used to be cut into staple fibres for spinning into yarn.
What's included
- Nylon filament tow
- Polyester tow
- Acrylic filament tow
- Polypropylene tow
What's excluded
- Synthetic staple fibres → use
5503(Staple fibres are already cut, whereas tow is continuous.)
Common examples
- Acrylic tow for carbon fibre precursor
- Polyester towing for spinning mills
- Nylon 66 filament tow
Frequently asked questions
What length must the filaments be for 5501?
The filaments must be over 2 metres in length to be considered tow under this heading.
Trade & shipping notes
- Typical duty range: 2% - 5%
- Documentation: Often considered an industrial raw material with lower duty rates.
- Typical shipping mode: FCL
- Top exporters: Japan, South Korea, Germany
- Top importers: China, India, Brazil
Related HS codes
Key takeaway
Verify that the material is continuous and meets the 'tow' length requirements.
Related HS codes
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