Polyester filament tow trade by country: top importers, exporters and prices
World trade in polyester filament tow was worth $66.8 million in 2024, about 28.0 thousand tonnes. That is a fall of 39% since 2017, and down 17% on 2023.
Public statistics, latest complete year (2024). Values in US dollars. Page updated .
World trade by year, 2017-2024
Hover or tap a year for detail.
Year by year
| Year | Value | Quantity |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $66.8M | 28.0K t |
| 2023 | $80.2M | 31.3K t |
| 2022 | $108.0M | 43.0K t |
| 2021 | $93.6M | 40.7K t |
| 2020 | $71.5M | 33.1K t |
| 2019 | $91.7M | 43.0K t |
| 2018 | $103.1M | 50.4K t |
| 2017 | $109.7M | 52.8K t |
Top polyester filament tow exporting countries
China is the largest exporter with 28% of world exports, followed by Germany and Malaysia. The top three supply 57% between them, out of 66 exporting countries.
| Exporter | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| China | $18.9M | 28% |
| Germany | $11.2M | 17% |
| Malaysia | $7.7M | 12% |
| India | $5.9M | 8.8% |
| South Korea | $4.5M | 6.7% |
| United States | $3.4M | 5.1% |
| South Africa | $3.2M | 4.8% |
| Japan | $2.3M | 3.4% |
| Singapore | $2.0M | 3% |
| Italy | $1.2M | 1.8% |
| Guatemala | $673K | 1% |
| Indonesia | $620K | 0.9% |
Top importing countries and buyer markets
The largest importers are Saudi Arabia (9%), France (9%) and Bangladesh (9%). 128 countries imported it, and the top three take 28% of the value.
| Importer | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Saudi Arabia | $6.2M | 9.4% |
| France | $6.2M | 9.4% |
| Bangladesh | $6.0M | 8.9% |
| Turkey | $5.4M | 8% |
| Portugal | $2.9M | 4.4% |
| Germany | $2.9M | 4.4% |
| Nigeria | $2.8M | 4.2% |
| China | $2.7M | 4% |
| Tanzania | $2.5M | 3.7% |
| Indonesia | $2.0M | 3% |
| Singapore | $1.8M | 2.8% |
| Switzerland | $1.7M | 2.6% |
Average price per kg
The world average declared value was about $2.39 per kg in 2024. Among the main exporters, the United States averaged $4.86 per kg and China $1.48 per kg, so grade and origin matter.
Declared value divided by weight, all 2024 shipments worldwide. Prices per shipment and per company are in EximDataX.
Related product types
Who is behind these numbers in this market?
The shipment records behind Polyester filament tow (HS 5501.20) importers and exporters, worldwide: companies, dates, quantities and declared values.
Shipment records are in the platform
Tell us what you trade and we will show you the latest records on a live call.
Source: CEPII BACI (reconciled UN Comtrade data), HS 2017 edition, release 202601, Etalab Open Licence 2.0. Annual values in US dollars at the customs border; quantities in tonnes where reported. HS 5501.20: Fibres: synthetic filament tow, of polyesters. HS 5501 codes.
Common questions
Which countries export the most polyester filament tow?
China exported $18.9 million in 2024, 28% of the world total, followed by Germany (17%) and Malaysia (12%). In all, 66 countries reported exports of this product. The full ranking and map are on this page.
Which countries import the most polyester filament tow?
Saudi Arabia imported $6.2 million in 2024, 9% of world imports, ahead of France (9%) and Bangladesh (9%). The top three importers together take 28%. Each country with its own page is linked from the table.
How big is the world trade in polyester filament tow?
It was worth $66.8 million in 2024, about 28.0 thousand tonnes. That is a fall of 39% since 2017. The peak year was 2017 at $109.7 million. 66 countries reported exports and 128 reported imports.
What is the average price of polyester filament tow per kg?
The world average declared value was about $2.39 per kg in 2024. Among the main exporters, the United States averaged $4.86 per kg and China $1.48 per kg, so grade and origin matter. Read it as a benchmark: it blends all grades, origins and contract terms.
What is the HS code for polyester filament tow?
The HS code for polyester filament tow is subheading 5501.20, in chapter 55 (man-made staple fibres). The first six digits are the same in every country; national tariffs add more. The full list of codes is on the HS 5501 page.
How can I find polyester filament tow buyers and suppliers?
Company names sit below these country totals: EximDataX reads the customs records shipment by shipment, with dates and values. We can show polyester filament tow buyers and suppliers on a short call.
See what your buyers are buying.Then decide.
Everything we show you comes from official customs filings — records, not claims. 30 minutes. Your shipment. Your HS code. Real platform. If you don’t see something new about your market by the end of the call, we walk away. No follow-ups.