Subheading · Chapter 55 · Heading 5503

5503.90

5503.90: Synthetic staple fibres, not carded, combed or otherwise: other

Official description Other

Subheading 5503.90 belongs to heading 5503 (synthetic staple fibres, not carded, combed or otherwise processed for spinning) in chapter 55.

What you pay

Importing into UK

Customs duty Free standard rate · across 3 national lines 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 90 00 00 Other Free
  2. 5503 90 00 20 Poly(vinyl alcohol) fibres, whether or not acetalised Free
  3. 5503 90 00 40 Staple fibres with a poly(ethylene terephthalate) core fully encapsulated by polyethylene with: -a linear density of 0.60 dtex or more but not more than 1.60 dtex, -a staple fibre length of 37 mm or more but not more than 44 mm, -an elongation at break of 80% or more, -a tenacity of 1 cn/dtex or more Free
  4. 5503 90 00 90 Other 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, North Korea
    Legal act
    S.I. 2019/461, S.I. 2019/411
    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)
    • Y920 Goods other than those described in the footnotes linked to the measure

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£10.2m+11.1% · previous 12 months
Average import price£3.17 per kg
Jan 2024: £910kFeb 2024: £1.3mMar 2024: £684kApr 2024: £1mMay 2024: £1.6mJun 2024: £854kJul 2024: £744kAug 2024: £1.3mSept 2024: £858kOct 2024: £1.1mNov 2024: £972kDec 2024: £410kJan 2025: £701kFeb 2025: £843kMar 2025: £469kApr 2025: £1.1mMay 2025: £553kJun 2025: £633kJul 2025: £777kAug 2025: £752kSept 2025: £973kOct 2025: £984kNov 2025: £829kDec 2025: £715kJan 2026: £1.1mFeb 2026: £533kMar 2026: £1.2mApr 2026: £868kMay 2026: £924kJun 2026: £456kJul 2026: £859kAug 2026: £711k 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
Germany £8.4m 82.4% +24.8%
Denmark £384k 3.8% -4%
Austria £353k 3.5% -40%
Belgium £345k 3.4% -18.4%
South Korea £202k 2% +14.3%
China £136k 1.3% +48.4%
United States £135k 1.3% -72.6%
Japan £121k 1.2% +14.2%

Same subheading in other tariffs

World trade in 2024

5503.90 · US$776m

Trade value (US$) no reported trade < US$111kUS$111k+US$2m+US$38m+> US$88m

Exports: 78
  1. China: US$183m
  2. South Korea: US$98m
  3. Japan: US$88m
  4. Germany: US$63m
  5. Taiwan: US$62m
  6. Denmark: US$52m
  7. Morocco: US$42m
  8. Thailand: US$38m
  9. United States: US$31m
  10. Netherlands: US$26m
  11. Indonesia: US$24m
  12. Austria: US$24m
  13. Italy: US$12m
  14. Belgium: US$10m
  15. United Kingdom: US$4m
  16. Lithuania: US$3m
  17. Portugal: US$3m
  18. India: US$3m
  19. France: US$2m
  20. Hong Kong SAR China: US$2m
  21. Vietnam: US$1m
  22. Malaysia: US$944k
  23. Luxembourg: US$719k
  24. Hungary: US$692k
  25. Czechia: US$513k
  26. Paraguay: US$508k
  27. Türkiye: US$465k
  28. Spain: US$439k
  29. Israel: US$413k
  30. Switzerland: US$234k
  31. Mexico: US$192k
  32. Slovenia: US$189k
  33. Poland: US$188k
  34. South Africa: US$174k
  35. Canada: US$168k
  36. Qatar: US$137k
  37. Nigeria: US$129k
  38. Australia: US$111k
  39. Brazil: US$108k
  40. Uganda: US$76k
  41. Romania: US$70k
  42. Pakistan: US$63k
  43. Peru: US$60k
  44. Ireland: US$53k
  45. Finland: US$49k
  46. Chile: US$44k
  47. Algeria: US$41k
  48. Saudi Arabia: US$34k
  49. Cameroon: US$27k
  50. Norway: US$24k
  51. New Zealand: US$23k
  52. Sweden: US$16k
  53. Singapore: US$14k
  54. Guatemala: US$9k
  55. Bulgaria: US$7k
  56. North Macedonia: US$7k
  57. Russia: US$4k
  58. Sri Lanka: US$4k
  59. Iran: US$4k
  60. United Arab Emirates: US$3k

Top exporters

RankCountryValueShare
1 China US$183m 23.6%
2 South Korea US$98m 12.6%
3 Japan US$88m 11.4%
4 Germany US$63m 8.1%
5 Taiwan US$62m 8%
6 Denmark US$52m 6.7%
7 Morocco US$42m 5.4%
8 Thailand US$38m 4.8%
9 United States US$31m 4%
10 Netherlands US$26m 3.3%

Top importers

RankCountryValueShare
1 China US$122m 15.7%
2 United States US$67m 8.7%
3 Netherlands US$53m 6.8%
4 Germany US$49m 6.3%
5 Brazil US$45m 5.8%
6 Italy US$39m 5%
7 India US$33m 4.2%
8 Indonesia US$30m 3.9%
9 Vietnam US$29m 3.8%
10 Japan US$27m 3.5%

Import duty on this product around the world 165

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
  • 61number of duty-free countries (MFN)
  • 45%highest: Bahamas, Cayman Islands, Comoros

165

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 6.7% 2% – 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 5% 2023 · HS 2017
Bosnia & Herzegovina 5% 2022
Botswana 0% 2023
Brazil 6.7% 2% – 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 0% 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 0% 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 5% 2020 · HS 2017
Honduras 0% 2023
Hong Kong SAR China 0% 2023
Iceland 0% 2023
India 5% 2023
Indonesia 2.5% 0% – 5% 2023
Iran 10% 2020 · HS 2017
Israel 0% 2022 · HS 2017
Jamaica 0% 2023
Japan 5.3% 4% – 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 0% 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 0% 2023
Nauru 10% 2021 · HS 2017
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 6.7% 2% – 16% 2023 · HS 2017
Peru 0% 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 0% 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 2.2% 0% – 4.3% 2023
Uruguay 6.7% 2% – 16% 2023 · HS 2017
Uzbekistan 0% 2021 · HS 2017
Vanuatu 5% 2023
Venezuela 6.7% 2% – 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
20175503.90unchanged
20125503.90unchanged
20075503.90unchanged
20025503.90unchanged
19965503.90unchanged
19925503.90unchanged

Correspondence tables of the United Nations Statistics Division (UNSD)

Binding rulings for similar goods 1

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.

  • N320562 U.S. CBP 1 March 2022 · 5503.90.90.00

    The tariff classification of polylactic acid fiber from China

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. EU Suspension · Applies from:

    Council Regulation (EU) 2026/1463 of 25 June 2026 amending Regulation (EU) 2021/2278 suspending the Common Customs Tariff duties referred to in Article 56(2), point (c), of Regulation (EU) No 952/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council on certain agricultural and industrial products

    CELEX 32026R1463 · Source: eur-lex.europa.eu

  2. GB Other

    Update to Commodity Code structure to maintain dynamic alignment with the EU – 30 June 2026

    Trade Tariff news 6995 · Source: trade-tariff.service.gov.uk

  3. GB Sanctions · Applies from:

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

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

  4. EU Sanctions · Applies from:

    Council Regulation (EU) 2026/271 of 29 January 2026 amending Regulation (EU) 2023/1529 concerning restrictive measures in view of Iran’s military support to Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine and to armed groups and entities in the Middle East and the Red Sea region

    CELEX 32026R0271 · Source: eur-lex.europa.eu

Rule changes →

The UK Global Tariff divides subheading 5503.90 into 3 tariff lines; the duty is duty-free.

Subheading 5503.90 is a single line in the EU Combined Nomenclature, where the duty is 4%.

174 countries pay no duty in the UK thanks to trade agreements and preference schemes such as DCTS Comprehensive and European Union, against a standard rate of Free.

Imports of these goods into the UK came to £10.2m between September 2025 and August 2026 (up 11% on the year before); Germany supplied 82%, followed by Denmark.

In 2024, countries exported these goods worth US$776m (+14% year on year).

The largest exporter was China (US$183m), followed by South Korea.

Questions and answers

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

Synthetic staple fibres, not carded, combed or otherwise: other fall under HS subheading 5503.90, 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 5503.90 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 5503.90 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?

China, with US$183m in 2024 (23.6% 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 Germany (82%), Denmark (4%) and Austria (4%), out of total imports of £10.2m.

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