🇬🇧 United Kingdom imports of synthetic tow: 2024 trade data
The United Kingdom imported $14.8 million of synthetic tow in 2024 (4.1 thousand tonnes). Its share of world imports was 2%. Value fell 47% from 2023. Over 2017-2024 it shrank by about 11% a year on average. The peak in this period was 2021, at $47.1 million.
Public statistics, latest reported year 2024. Values in US dollars.
Imports of synthetic tow by year, 2017-2024
Hover or tap a year for detail.
Year by year
| Year | Value | Quantity |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $14.8M | 4.1K t |
| 2023 | $27.9M | 7.7K t |
| 2022 | $41.7M | 9.8K t |
| 2021 | $47.1M | 10.4K t |
| 2020 | $34.5M | 8.6K t |
| 2019 | $41.2M | 9.3K t |
| 2018 | $39.9M | 9.5K t |
| 2017 | $33.8M | 9.8K t |
Where the United Kingdom imports synthetic tow from
The largest suppliers were Portugal (29%), Japan (22%), United States (19%). Among the main suppliers, China grew fastest (+188% on the year before).
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| 🇵🇹 Portugal | $4.2M | 29% |
| 🇯🇵 Japan | $3.3M | 22% |
| 🇺🇸 United States | $2.8M | 19% |
| 🇫🇷 France | $1.5M | 9.9% |
| 🇨🇳 China | $1.3M | 8.7% |
| 🇩🇪 Germany | $624K | 4.2% |
| 🇹🇷 Turkey | $338K | 2.3% |
| 🇭🇰 Hong Kong | $148K | 1% |
| 🇨🇦 Canada | $121K | 0.8% |
| 🇰🇷 South Korea | $105K | 0.7% |
Types of synthetic tow under HS 5501
| 5501.30 | Fibres: synthetic filament tow, acrylic or modacrylic | 66% |
| 5501.10 | Fibres: synthetic filament tow, of nylon or other polyamides | 23% |
| 5501.20 | Fibres: synthetic filament tow, of polyesters | 9% |
| 5501.90 | Fibres: synthetic filament tow, of synthetic materials n.e.c. in heading no. 5501 | 0.9% |
| 5501.40 | Fibres: synthetic filament tow, of polypropylene | 0.7% |
Codes and full descriptions: HS heading 5501.
Average import price of synthetic tow
The average declared value was about $3.63 per kg, close to the world average of $3.14.
Declared value divided by weight, all 2024 shipments. Prices per shipment and per company are in EximDataX.
The United Kingdom also exports synthetic tow
Exports of synthetic tow by the United Kingdom reached $3.6 million in 2024 (551 tonnes). The largest buyer markets were Italy (49%), Japan (21%), Taiwan (9%). Among the main buyer markets, Japan grew fastest (+72% on the year before).
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| 🇮🇹 Italy | $1.8M | 49% |
| 🇯🇵 Japan | $761K | 21% |
| Taiwan | $329K | 9.2% |
| 🇸🇮 Slovenia | $87K | 2.5% |
| 🇪🇸 Spain | $84K | 2.4% |
| 🇺🇸 United States | $66K | 1.9% |
| 🇩🇿 Algeria | $57K | 1.6% |
| 🇹🇭 Thailand | $56K | 1.6% |
| 🇨🇿 Czech Republic | $50K | 1.4% |
| 🇨🇳 China | $48K | 1.3% |
Who is behind these numbers in the United Kingdom?
Public statistics stop at country totals and the last published year. EximDataX shows the shipment records underneath: the companies, dates, quantities and declared values, updated weekly.
Shipment records are in the platform
Tell us what you trade and we will show you the latest records on a live call.
Direct customs feed: shipment-level records from the official customs source.
Updated weekly on EximDataX (some markets daily), while public statistics stop at 2024.
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: Synthetic filament tow.
Synthetic tow trade in the United Kingdom: questions
What is the value of synthetic tow imported by the United Kingdom?
The United Kingdom imported synthetic tow worth $14.8 million in 2024 (4.1 thousand tonnes).
Where does the United Kingdom import synthetic tow from?
The main supplier countries in 2024 were Portugal (29%), Japan (22%), United States (19%).
What is the average import price of synthetic tow in the United Kingdom?
The average declared import value was about $3.63 per kg in 2024, against a world average of $3.14 per kg.
Does the United Kingdom export synthetic tow?
Yes. The United Kingdom exported synthetic tow worth $3.6 million in 2024, mainly to Italy, Japan, Taiwan.
What is the HS code for synthetic tow?
Synthetic tow falls under HS heading 5501 (Synthetic filament tow). The six-digit codes under it split the product by type.
How can I find the companies trading synthetic tow with the United Kingdom?
These public statistics stop at country level. EximDataX has a direct customs feed for the United Kingdom with shipment-level records, updated weekly, where you can see the importers and exporters by name.
Synthetic tow trade in other countries
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