HTS tariff line · chapter 55
5503.20.00
Synthetic staple fibers, not carded, combed or otherwise processed for spinning: of polyesters
Analysis
HTS 5503.20.00 covers synthetic staple fibers, not carded, combed or otherwise processed for spinning: of polyesters under heading 5503 (synthetic staple fibers, not carded, combed or otherwise processed for spinning). US Customs collects import statistics for it under 4 ten-digit suffixes, reported in kilograms.
This line's footnotes point to one additional provision in Chapter 99: 9903.55.01 (Chapter 99 provision, free). Chapter 99 duties are added on top of the general rate for goods of the countries they name, and they change more often than the rest of the schedule, so check the current CBP guidance before you rely on a total.
Neighbouring lines carry rates from duty-free to 4.3%, so the exact line matters. The widest gap is with 5503.90.10 (other: of vinyon), at duty-free: a product that belongs there but is entered here, or the reverse, changes the duty by 4.3 percentage points.
The general duty rate is 4.3% of the customs value, which is at the low end of the rates in chapter 55 (10th percentile of 133 lines with an ad valorem rate). On a shipment valued at $10,000 that is $430 in duty before any Chapter 99 additions or preference claims.
Goods that qualify under the Australia FTA, the Bahrain FTA, the Chile FTA, the Colombia TPA, the Israel FTA, and 9 others can enter duty-free instead of paying 4.3%. It is also eligible under GSP, the developing-country programme, which Congress has to renew; check whether GSP is in force on the entry date.
The column 2 rate, for countries without normal trade relations, is 25%, 5.8 times the general rate.
Statistical suffixes
| Code | Description | Units | NAICS |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5503.20.00.15 | Bi-component fibers having an outer copolymer sheath that melts at a lower temperature than the core, of a kind used for bonding fibers together | kg | 325220 |
| 5503.20.00.25 | Measuring less than 3.3 decitex | kg | 325220 |
| 5503.20.00.45 | Measuring 3.3 decitex or more but less than 13.2 decitex | kg | 325220 |
| 5503.20.00.65 | Measuring 13.2 decitex or more | kg | 325220 |
Neighbouring lines
| Line | Description | General rate |
|---|---|---|
| 5503.11.00 | Of nylon or other polyamides: of aramids | 4.3% |
| 5503.19.10 | Containing 10 percent or more by weight of nylon 12 | Free |
| 5503.19.90 | Other: other | 4.3% |
| 5503.30.00 | Acrylic or modacrylic | 4.3% |
| 5503.40.00 | Synthetic staple fibers, not carded, combed or otherwise processed for spinning: of polypropylene | 4.3% |
| 5503.90.10 | Other: of vinyon | Free |
| 5503.90.90 | Other: other | 4.3% |
Chapter 99 provisions in the footnotes
- 9903.55.01 Chapter 99 provision · Free
Entered under temporary importation bond in aggregate quantities not exceeding the amount specified in U.S. note 32(a) to this subchapter for any period specified in such note, when the product of any country not exempt