Subheading · Chapter 55 · Heading 5503

5503.40

5503.40: Synthetic staple fibres, not carded, combed or otherwise: of polypropylene

Official description Of polypropylene

5503.40 is a six-digit subheading of heading 5503, synthetic staple fibres, not carded, combed or otherwise processed for spinning, chapter 55.

What you pay

Importing into UK

Customs duty Free standard rate depends on the country of origin
Additional duties and charges 1 additional measure Import requirements: 4
VAT 20.00 % import VAT
Duty calculatorCalculate duty and taxes →

Rates by national line · UK Global Tariff

UK lines →
  1. 5503 40 00 00 Of polypropylene Free

Additional duties and import rules

Charges on top of the customs duty, and rules the goods must meet at the border.

Additional duties and charges 1

  • Duty suspensionAirworthiness tariff suspension Free
    Applies to goods from
    all countries
    Legal act
    S.I. 2018/1249
    Documents
    • C119 Authorised Release Certificate — EASA Form 1 (Appendix I to Annex I to Regulation (EU) No 748/2012), or equivalent certificate

Import requirements 4

  • Prohibition or restrictionImport prohibition
    Applies to goods from
    North Korea
    Legal act
    S.I. 2019/411
  • Import controlRestriction on entry into free circulation
    Applies to goods from
    Ukraine
    Legal act
    S.I. 2022/395
    Documents
    • 9009
    • 9010
    • 9017
  • Import controlRestriction on entry into free circulation
    Applies to goods from
    North Korea
    Legal act
    S.I. 2019/411
    Documents
    • Y084 Derogation from import prohibition by virtue of Article 16i (1) of Council Regulation (EU) 2017/1509
  • Import controlImport control on restricted goods and technologies
    Applies to goods from
    Iran
    Legal act
    S.I. 2019/461
    Documents
    • Y966 Goods other than those described in the MG footnotes linked to the measure (Missile Technology Control Regime list - Annex III of Reg. (EU) 267/2012)

Preferential rates by country

Agreement or schemeCountriesRate
standard rate (no agreement)—Free
DCTS Comprehensive
Afghanistan, Angola, Bangladesh, Benin and 38 more

Afghanistan, Angola, Bangladesh, Benin, Bhutan, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cambodia, Central African Republic, Chad, Comoros, Congo - Kinshasa, Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Gambia, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Haiti, Kiribati, Laos, Liberia, Malawi, Mali, Mauritania, Myanmar (Burma), Nepal, Niger, Rwanda, São Tomé & Príncipe, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Tanzania, Timor-Leste, Togo, Tuvalu, Uganda, Yemen, Zambia

Free
European Union (including code "EU")
Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia and 23 more

Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden

Free
DCTS Enhanced
Algeria, Bolivia, Cape Verde, Congo - Brazzaville and 13 more

Algeria, Bolivia, Cape Verde, Congo - Brazzaville, Cook Islands, Kyrgyzstan, Micronesia, Mongolia, Nigeria, Niue, Pakistan, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Syria, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Vanuatu

Free
CARIFORUM
Antigua & Barbuda, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize and 10 more

Antigua & Barbuda, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica, St Kitts & Nevis, St Lucia, St Vincent & the Grenadines, Suriname, Trinidad & Tobago

Free
OCTs (Overseas Countries and Territories)
Anguilla, Bermuda, British Indian Ocean Territory, British Virgin Islands and 7 more

Anguilla, Bermuda, British Indian Ocean Territory, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Falkland Islands, Montserrat, Pitcairn Islands, South Georgia & South Sandwich Islands, St Helena, Turks & Caicos Islands

Free
Central America Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Panama Free
SADC EPA Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Mozambique, Namibia Free
Eastern and Southern Africa States Madagascar, Mauritius, Seychelles, Zimbabwe Free
CPTPP Brunei, Malaysia Free
UK–Andorra agreement Andorra Free
UK–Albania agreement Albania Free
UK–Australia agreement Australia Free
UK–Canada agreement Canada Free
UK–Switzerland agreement Switzerland Free
UK–Côte d’Ivoire agreement Côte d’Ivoire Free
UK–Chile agreement Chile Free
UK–Cameroon agreement Cameroon Free
UK–Colombia agreement Colombia Free
UK–Ceuta & Melilla agreement Ceuta & Melilla Free
UK–Ecuador agreement Ecuador Free
UK–Egypt agreement Egypt Free
UK–Fiji agreement Fiji Free
UK–Faroe Islands agreement Faroe Islands Free
UK–Georgia agreement Georgia Free
UK–Ghana agreement Ghana Free
DCTS Standard Indonesia Free
UK–Israel agreement Israel Free
UK–India agreement India Free
UK–Iceland agreement Iceland Free
UK–Jordan agreement Jordan Free
UK–Japan agreement Japan Free
UK–Kenya agreement Kenya Free
UK–South Korea agreement South Korea Free
UK–Lebanon agreement Lebanon Free
UK–Liechtenstein agreement Liechtenstein Free
UK–Morocco agreement Morocco Free
UK–Moldova agreement Moldova Free
UK–North Macedonia agreement North Macedonia Free
UK–Mexico agreement Mexico Free
UK–Norway agreement Norway Free
UK–New Zealand agreement New Zealand Free
UK–Peru agreement Peru Free
UK–Papua New Guinea agreement Papua New Guinea Free
UK–Palestinian Territories agreement Palestinian Territories Free
UK–Serbia agreement Serbia Free
UK–Solomon Islands agreement Solomon Islands Free
UK–Singapore agreement Singapore Free
UK–San Marino agreement San Marino Free
UK–Tunisia agreement Tunisia Free
UK–Türkiye agreement Türkiye Free
UK–Ukraine agreement Ukraine Free
UK–Vietnam agreement Vietnam Free
UK–Samoa agreement Samoa Free
UK–Kosovo agreement Kosovo Free
UK–South Africa agreement South Africa Free

UK: imports by month

last 12 months£18.4m+35.7% · previous 12 months
Average import price£1.78 per kg
Jan 2024: £978kFeb 2024: £842kMar 2024: £1.1mApr 2024: £1mMay 2024: £1.2mJun 2024: £949kJul 2024: £829kAug 2024: £1.1mSept 2024: £1.1mOct 2024: £1.5mNov 2024: £1.3mDec 2024: £998kJan 2025: £1.2mFeb 2025: £898kMar 2025: £1.1mApr 2025: £1.2mMay 2025: £1.1mJun 2025: £1.2mJul 2025: £1.2mAug 2025: £792kSept 2025: £1mOct 2025: £854kNov 2025: £1.4mDec 2025: £1.1mJan 2026: £1.3mFeb 2026: £771kMar 2026: £1.3mApr 2026: £1mMay 2026: £1.9mJun 2026: £4.2mJul 2026: £2mAug 2026: £1.5m 202420252026
Data up to August 2026 (provisional) · Monthly data: Eurostat Comext (CC BY 4.0), HMRC (OGL v3.0)

Main suppliers, last 12 months

CountryValueShareChange
Belgium £6.2m 33.5% +59.3%
Greece £5.5m 30% +10.5%
Austria £2.6m 14.2% +265.8%
Saudi Arabia £2.5m 13.4% +37.7%
Germany £808k 4.4% -10.4%
Netherlands £188k 1% -3.6%
Slovenia £145k 0.8% +102.2%
Türkiye £113k 0.6% +77.4%

Same subheading in other tariffs

World trade in 2024

5503.40 · US$651m

Trade value (US$) no reported trade < US$196kUS$196k+US$3m+US$25m+> US$46m

Exports: 90
  1. Belgium: US$185m
  2. China: US$98m
  3. Denmark: US$46m
  4. South Korea: US$38m
  5. Saudi Arabia: US$32m
  6. Japan: US$31m
  7. Austria: US$29m
  8. United States: US$27m
  9. Italy: US$25m
  10. India: US$20m
  11. Türkiye: US$15m
  12. South Africa: US$15m
  13. Czechia: US$13m
  14. Greece: US$11m
  15. Spain: US$9m
  16. United Kingdom: US$8m
  17. Germany: US$8m
  18. Portugal: US$6m
  19. France: US$5m
  20. Thailand: US$5m
  21. Netherlands: US$3m
  22. Indonesia: US$3m
  23. Slovenia: US$2m
  24. Malaysia: US$2m
  25. Poland: US$2m
  26. Mozambique: US$2m
  27. Ukraine: US$1m
  28. Paraguay: US$1m
  29. Vietnam: US$1m
  30. Iran: US$994k
  31. Romania: US$895k
  32. United Arab Emirates: US$759k
  33. Mexico: US$710k
  34. Taiwan: US$709k
  35. Switzerland: US$684k
  36. Israel: US$681k
  37. Brazil: US$618k
  38. Serbia: US$582k
  39. Russia: US$469k
  40. Lithuania: US$351k
  41. Colombia: US$286k
  42. Ireland: US$264k
  43. Hong Kong SAR China: US$212k
  44. Croatia: US$196k
  45. Hungary: US$192k
  46. Ghana: US$188k
  47. Canada: US$179k
  48. Argentina: US$139k
  49. Slovakia: US$110k
  50. Bulgaria: US$110k
  51. Australia: US$108k
  52. Bosnia & Herzegovina: US$101k
  53. Bahrain: US$68k
  54. Chile: US$68k
  55. Tanzania: US$68k
  56. Costa Rica: US$61k
  57. Egypt: US$52k
  58. North Korea: US$52k
  59. Morocco: US$44k
  60. Uruguay: US$44k

Top exporters

RankCountryValueShare
1 Belgium US$185m 28.4%
2 China US$98m 15%
3 Denmark US$46m 7.1%
4 South Korea US$38m 5.8%
5 Saudi Arabia US$32m 4.9%
6 Japan US$31m 4.7%
7 Austria US$29m 4.4%
8 United States US$27m 4.2%
9 Italy US$25m 3.8%
10 India US$20m 3%

Top importers

RankCountryValueShare
1 Germany US$103m 15.8%
2 Italy US$59m 9%
3 United States US$51m 7.9%
4 Canada US$35m 5.3%
5 Mozambique US$32m 4.9%
6 Bangladesh US$30m 4.7%
7 Czechia US$27m 4.1%
8 France US$23m 3.6%
9 Netherlands US$23m 3.5%
10 Türkiye US$18m 2.8%

Import duty on this product around the world 164

The most-favoured-nation (MFN) duty each country applies to goods of this HS subheading: the average over its national tariff lines, with the lowest and highest line where they differ. Goods from countries with a trade agreement often pay less.

  • 5%median duty
  • 55number of duty-free countries (MFN)
  • 45%highest: Bahamas, Cayman Islands, Comoros

164

Importing countryMFN dutylines from – todata year
Afghanistan 2.5% 2018 · HS 2012
Albania 2% 2023
Algeria 5% 2023
Angola 0% 2023 · HS 2017
Anguilla 15% 2021 · HS 2017
Antigua & Barbuda 5% 2021 · HS 2007
Argentina 16% 2023 · HS 2017
Armenia 5% 2023
Aruba 12% 2021 · HS 2012
Australia 0% 2023
Azerbaijan 0% 2023 · HS 2017
Bahamas 45% 2022
Bahrain 5% 2023
Bangladesh 5% 2023 · HS 2017
Barbados 5% 2022 · HS 2017
Belarus 5% 2021 · HS 2017
Belize 5% 2023
Benin 10% 2023
Bermuda 6.5% 2023
Bhutan 10% 2022
Bolivia 10% 2023 · HS 2017
Bosnia & Herzegovina 10% 2022
Botswana 7.5% 2023
Brazil 16% 2023 · HS 2017
Brunei 0% 2023 · HS 2017
Burkina Faso 10% 2023
Burundi 0% 2023
Cambodia 0% 2023 · HS 2017
Cameroon 10% 2023
Canada 0% 2023
Cape Verde 5% 2023 · HS 2017
Cayman Islands 22% 2021 · HS 2002
Central African Republic 10% 2023
Chad 10% 2023
Chile 6% 2023 · HS 2017
China 5% 2023
Colombia 10% 2023 · HS 2017
Comoros 20% 2021 · HS 2017
Congo - Brazzaville 10% 2023
Cook Islands 0% 2022 · HS 2017
Costa Rica 0% 2023
Côte d’Ivoire 10% 2023 · HS 2017
Cuba 15% 2023 · HS 2017
Dominica 0% 2023 · HS 2017
Dominican Republic 0% 2023
Ecuador 0% 2023 · HS 2017
Egypt 0% 2019 · HS 2017
El Salvador 0% 2022
Equatorial Guinea 10% 2023
Eswatini 7.5% 2023
Ethiopia 0% 2021 · HS 2017
European Union (27 countries) 4% 2023
Fiji 0% 2023
French Polynesia 13% 2023
Gabon 10% 2023
Gambia 10% 2023
Georgia 0% 2022 · HS 2017
Ghana 10% 2023
Gibraltar 6% 2023 · HS 2017
Grenada 5% 2023 · HS 2012
Guatemala 0% 2023
Guinea 10% 2023
Guinea-Bissau 10% 2023
Guyana 5% 2023 · HS 2017
Haiti 0% 2020 · HS 2017
Honduras 0% 2023
Hong Kong SAR China 0% 2023
Iceland 0% 2023
India 5% 2023
Indonesia 5% 2023
Iran 10% 2020 · HS 2017
Israel 0% 2022 · HS 2017
Jamaica 0% 2023
Japan 6.6% 2023
Jordan 0% 2023
Kazakhstan 5% 2023
Kenya 0% 2023
Kiribati 0% 2023 · HS 2002
Kuwait 5% 2023
Kyrgyzstan 5% 2021 · HS 2017
Laos 5% 2023 · HS 2017
Lebanon 0% 2020 · HS 2017
Lesotho 7.5% 2023
Liberia 10% 2023
Libya 5% 2021 · HS 2017
Liechtenstein 0% 2021 · HS 2017
Macao SAR China 0% 2023
Madagascar 5% 2023
Malawi 10% 2021 · HS 2017
Malaysia 0% 2023
Maldives 0% 2023
Mali 10% 2023
Mauritania 10% 2023 · HS 2017
Mauritius 0% 2023
Mexico 2.5% 0% – 5% 2023 · HS 2017
Micronesia 4% 2021 · HS 2017
Moldova 4% 2023 · HS 2017
Mongolia 5% 2023
Montserrat 5% 2023 · HS 2017
Morocco 2.5% 2023
Mozambique 2.5% 2023
Myanmar (Burma) 3% 2023 · HS 2017
Namibia 7.5% 2023
Nepal 5% 2023
New Zealand 0% 2023
Nicaragua 0% 2023
Niger 10% 2023
Nigeria 10% 2023
North Macedonia 0% 2023
Norway 0% 2023
Oman 5% 2023
Pakistan 11% 2023
Palau 3% 2023 · HS 2012
Palestinian Territories 0% 2017 · HS 2017
Panama 0% 2023
Papua New Guinea 0% 2023
Paraguay 16% 2023 · HS 2017
Peru 6% 2023 · HS 2017
Philippines 3% 2023
Qatar 5% 2023
Russia 5% 2021 · HS 2017
Rwanda 0% 2023
Samoa 8% 2020 · HS 2017
São Tomé & Príncipe 10% 2019 · HS 2017
Saudi Arabia 15% 2023
Senegal 10% 2023
Seychelles 0% 2023
Sierra Leone 10% 2023
Singapore 0% 2023 · HS 2017
Solomon Islands 10% 2023 · HS 2017
Somalia 5% 2023 · HS 2017
South Africa 7.5% 2023
South Korea 8% 2023
Sri Lanka 0% 2023
St Kitts & Nevis 0% 2023
St Lucia 0% 2023 · HS 2012
St Pierre & Miquelon 5% 2021 · HS 2017
St Vincent & the Grenadines 5% 2023
Sudan 3% 2021 · HS 2017
Suriname 5% 2023 · HS 2007
Switzerland 0% 2023
Syria 1% 2020 · HS 2012
Tajikistan 5% 2021 · HS 2012
Tanzania 0% 2023
Thailand 5% 2023
Togo 10% 2023
Tonga 15% 2023 · HS 2017
Trinidad & Tobago 0% 2023 · HS 2012
Türkiye 4% 2023
Tuvalu 0% 2017 · HS 2017
Uganda 0% 2023
Ukraine 0% 2023 · HS 2017
United Arab Emirates 5% 2023
United Kingdom 0% 2023
United States 4.3% 2023
Uruguay 16% 2023 · HS 2017
Uzbekistan 0% 2021 · HS 2017
Vanuatu 5% 2023
Venezuela 16% 2023 · HS 2017
Vietnam 0% 2023
Wallis & Futuna 6% 2021 · HS 2012
Yemen 5% 2017 · HS 2017
Zambia 5% 2023
Zimbabwe 0.1% 2023

Tariff data years 2017–2023; rates may have changed since. · UNCTAD TRAINS, accessed via WITS (World Bank)

Classifications and correspondences

Where this HS subheading sits in the United Nations' statistical classifications, and which codes it had in earlier editions of the Harmonized System.

SITC Rev. 4
26659 Synthetic staple fibres, not processed for spinning, n.e.s.
End use (BEC Rev. 5)
Intermediate goods · BEC 411210
CPC 2.1 product
35510 Synthetic filament tow and staple fibres, not carded or combed
ISIC Rev. 4 activity
2030 Manufacture of man-made fibres

Earlier HS editions

HSCode
20175503.40unchanged
20125503.40unchanged
20075503.40unchanged
20025503.40unchanged
19965503.40unchanged
19925503.40unchanged

Correspondence tables of the United Nations Statistics Division (UNSD)

Binding rulings for similar goods 2

Decisions of U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CROSS) and HMRC (Advance Tariff Rulings) on goods classified here. A ruling binds only its holder, but shows how the authorities classify similar goods. The descriptions are the authorities’ own, in English.

  • N304143 U.S. CBP 21 May 2019 · 5503.40.00.00

    The tariff classification of polypropylene fiber from Italy

  • H282781 U.S. CBP 12 September 2017 · 5503.40.00

    Tariff classification of nonwoven geotextile fabrics manufactured in a Foreign Trade Zone from privileged foreign status polypropylene staple fiber and tariff classification of rolls or bales of trimmings/cuttings of fabric resulting from the production of the nonwoven geotextile fabrics

Recent rule changes mentioning this code

Acts whose text cites this code or its heading. Check the act itself: a code can be cited for reasons other than a change of its duty.

  1. GB Sanctions · Applies from:

    The Russia (Sanctions) (EU Exit) (Amendment) Regulations 2026

    S.I. 2026/543 · Source: legislation.gov.uk

Rule changes →

Subheading 5503.40 is a single line in the UK Global Tariff, where the duty is duty-free.

The EU Combined Nomenclature has one tariff line for subheading 5503.40; the duty is 4%.

Goods from 174 countries can enter the UK at a preferential rate instead of the standard Free; 174 of them pay no duty at all, for example under DCTS Comprehensive or European Union.

In the 12 months to August 2026, the UK imported these goods worth £18.4m (up 36% on the year before), at an average of £1.78 per kg; Belgium supplied 34%, followed by Greece.

World trade in these goods reached US$651m in 2024, up 4% on 2023.

Belgium was the largest exporter with 28.4% of the total, ahead of China.

Questions and answers

What is the HS code for synthetic staple fibres, not carded, combed or otherwise: of polypropylene?

Synthetic staple fibres, not carded, combed or otherwise: of polypropylene fall under HS subheading 5503.40, part of heading 5503, in section XI of the Harmonized System.

What is the import duty on synthetic staple fibres in the UK?

Under the UK Global Tariff, imports under 5503.40 from countries without a preferential agreement are free of duty. Preferential rates, anti-dumping duties and VAT are not included.

What is the import duty on synthetic staple fibres in the EU?

Under the EU Combined Nomenclature, imports under 5503.40 from countries without a preferential agreement are charged at 4%. Preferential rates, anti-dumping duties and VAT are not included.

Which country exports the most synthetic staple fibres?

Belgium, with US$185m in 2024 (28.4% of world exports).

Which countries can export these goods to the UK duty-free?

174 countries pay no duty under a trade agreement or preference scheme, among them partners under DCTS Comprehensive, European Union, DCTS Enhanced. The goods must meet the agreement’s rules of origin and the importer needs proof of origin; otherwise the standard rate of Free applies. Pick a country above to see its rate.

Where does the UK import these goods from?

In the 12 months to August 2026, the largest suppliers were Belgium (34%), Greece (30%) and Austria (14%), out of total imports of £18.4m.

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