HS Code 5501Synthetic filament tow

What HS code 5501 covers

The strands are called filaments. They run the full length of the rope and are not yet twisted into yarn.

Synthetic means the fibre is made from chemicals, such as nylon or polyester. It does not come from wood pulp or other plant matter. If your goods are this kind of rope, 5501 is the heading to check first.

You may also see it written as HSN 5501. HSN is the label some countries use for the same Harmonized System headings. The code means the same thing.

Which HS code for polypropylene, polyester and other tow?

The six-digit codes under 5501 split by fibre type. Find your fibre in the list, then pick the matching code. Aramids are a kind of polyamide, but they get a code of their own.

Aramid, nylon, polyester, acrylic and polypropylene are all named in the heading texts. Anything else falls into the last code.

• This is the code for aramid filament tow.
• 550119: nylon or other polyamide tow that is not aramid.
• 550120: polyester filament tow.
• 550130: acrylic or modacrylic tow.
• 550140: polypropylene tow.
• 550190: tow of other synthetic materials not named elsewhere in 5501.

5501 vs 5502, 5503 and 5506: choosing the right heading

Start with how the fibre was made. Artificial fibres are made by treating natural material, such as wood cellulose. Synthetic fibres are built from chemicals. Both headings cover tow, so the fibre origin is what separates them.

Next, look at the form of the goods. Tow is a continuous rope of filaments. Staple fibres are short, cut lengths. Short synthetic fibres that are not carded, combed or otherwise processed for spinning go to heading 5503. If the same synthetic staple fibres are carded, combed or otherwise processed for spinning, they go to heading 5506.

Is the four-digit code enough for a customs declaration? Usually not. Four digits only name the heading. Declarations normally need the six-digit code, and many countries ask for more digits on top. Use the list above to find your six-digit code, or try the HS code classifier if you are unsure. Always check the rules of the country you ship to.

Synthetic filament tow import and export data

EximDataX shows shipment-level import and export records from official customs sources. Coverage: 43 direct customs feeds plus 184 mirror-derived countries. Named buyers and named suppliers are available in 38 of the 43 direct markets. Most markets refresh weekly and some refresh daily. You can search by HS code to see who imports and exports a product, and book a free demo.

Duty rates and rules differ from one country to the next. The live records show what was actually filed under each code. Use the links below to go straight to import data, export data, buyer data or supplier data for filament tow.

Other headings in Chapter 55

Chapter 55 is about man-made staple fibres, and 5501 is only one part of it. If your goods are not tow, one of the neighbouring headings may fit better.

You can open each heading page to see its own six-digit codes.