Polyester staple yarn imports in the United Kingdom: data, top suppliers and prices
Imports of polyester staple yarn by the United Kingdom reached $2.4 million in 2024 (676 tonnes). Value fell 19% from 2023. Across 2017-2024 the long-run trend was broadly stable. The peak in this period was 2018, at $6.0 million.
Public statistics, latest complete year (2024). Values in US dollars. Page updated .
Imports by year, 2017-2024
Hover or tap a year for detail.
Year by year
| Year | Value | Quantity |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $2.4M | 676 t |
| 2023 | $2.9M | 800 t |
| 2022 | $4.8M | 1.7K t |
| 2021 | $4.4M | 2.0K t |
| 2020 | $5.6M | 3.2K t |
| 2019 | $4.3M | 1.9K t |
| 2018 | $6.0M | 2.8K t |
| 2017 | $2.8M | 1.3K t |
Where the United Kingdom imports polyester staple yarn from
The largest suppliers were Indonesia (21%), Germany (14%), Turkey (14%). Trade is spread widely: the top three suppliers together make up only 49%. Among the main suppliers, Portugal grew fastest (+569% on the year before).
Average import price per kg
The average declared value was about $3.50 per kg, 77% above the world average of $1.98. This usually points to higher-grade or processed goods.
Declared value divided by weight, all 2024 shipments. Prices per shipment and per company are in EximDataX.
Polyester staple yarn exports from the United Kingdom
In 2024, the United Kingdom exported polyester staple yarn worth $368 thousand (32 tonnes). The largest buyer markets were Taiwan (44%), Turkey (25%), Ireland (25%). Among the main buyer markets, Thailand grew fastest (+230% on the year before).
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Taiwan | $163K | 44% |
| Turkey | $92K | 25% |
| Ireland | $91K | 25% |
| Thailand | $9K | 2.4% |
| Nigeria | $6K | 1.6% |
| Lithuania | $3K | 0.8% |
| South Africa | $2K | 0.5% |
| Estonia | $2K | 0.4% |
| China | $1K | 0.3% |
| Portugal | $0K | 0% |
Who is behind these numbers in the United Kingdom?
The shipment records behind United Kingdom polyester staple yarn imports (HS 5509.21): companies, dates, quantities and declared values.
Shipment records are in the platform
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Direct customs feed: shipment-level records from the official customs source.
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 5509.21: Yarn: (not sewing thread), single, of synthetic staple fibres, containing 85% or more by weight of polyester, not put up for retail sale.
Common questions
What is the value of polyester staple yarn imported by the United Kingdom?
The United Kingdom imported polyester staple yarn worth $2.4 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 676 tonnes. That ranks it 42nd of 137 countries worldwide, with 0% of world imports. The value was down 19% on 2023.
Which countries supply polyester staple yarn to the United Kingdom?
Indonesia was the largest supplier with 21% of the value ($508 thousand), followed by Germany (14%) and Turkey (14%). The top three together account for 49%, out of 19 supplier countries in total. Portugal grew fastest among the top ten, up 569% on the year.
What is the average import price of polyester staple yarn per kg?
The average declared import value was about $3.50 per kg in 2024, 77% above the world average of $1.98 per kg. The figure blends every grade shipped, so it works as a reference point rather than a quote.
How have imports of polyester staple yarn to the United Kingdom changed since 2017?
Imports went from $2.8 million in 2017 to $2.4 million in 2024, a fall of 16%. The peak was 2018 at $6.0 million. Over 8 years the average was $4.1 million a year.
Does the United Kingdom also export polyester staple yarn?
Yes. The United Kingdom exported $368 thousand worth of this product in 2024, mainly to Taiwan, Turkey and Ireland. On balance the United Kingdom is a net importer of this product, by about $2.0 million a year.
What is the HS code for polyester staple yarn?
The HS code for polyester staple yarn is subheading 5509.21. It sits in HS chapter 55 (man-made staple fibres). The full list of codes and descriptions is on the HS 5509 page.
How can I find the companies behind this trade?
The totals here are public statistics; the company-level detail sits in EximDataX, which has a direct customs feed for the United Kingdom. Tell us your product to see it live.
Same product, other countries
World polyester staple yarn trade: top importers and exporters
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