Man-made staple fibres
Chapter 55 of the Harmonised System covers Man-made staple fibres — 16 four-digit headings spanning synthetic filament tow to woven fabrics of artificial staple fibres that customs authorities worldwide use to classify these goods and set duty.
- India exports 2024
- $1.6B
Source: UN Comtrade — India's reported merchandise exports to the world, 2024.
Sourcing this category from India
Chapter 55 covers man-made staple fibres. India is a major exporter of polyester and viscose staple fibre, spun yarn and blended fabrics, supplying the global apparel supply chain. Classification moves from staple fibre and tow through carded, combed and spun yarn to the woven blended fabrics widely used in ready-made garments.
How to read this code
55 is the two-digit HS chapter for man-made staple fibres. To clear customs your destination country extends it to a full 8–10 digit code and assigns the duty rate. India's preferential trade agreements (UAE CEPA, Australia ECTA, and others) can reduce or zero out that duty on many textiles & textile articles lines — check our import guides for your market.
Headings under HS 55
The Harmonised System breaks Man-made staple fibres into these 16 headings. Drill down to the exact classification for your goods.
Synthetic filament tow
Artificial filament tow
Synthetic staple fibres, not carded, combed or otherwise processed for spinning
Artificial staple fibres, not carded, combed or otherwise processed for spinning
Waste (including noils, yarn waste and garnetted stock), of man-made fibres
Synthetic staple fibres, carded, combed or otherwise processed for spinning
Artificial staple fibres, carded, combed or otherwise processed for spinning
Sewing thread of man-made staple fibres, whether or not put up for retail sale
Yarn (other than sewing thread) of synthetic staple fibres, not put up for retail sale
Yarn (other than sewing thread) of artificial staple fibres, not put up for retail sale
Yarn (not sewing thread), of man-made staple fibres, put up for retail sale
Woven fabrics of synthetic staple fibres, containing 85% or more by weight of synthetic staple fibres
Woven fabrics of synthetic staple fibres, containing less than 85% by weight of such fibres, mixed mainly or solely with cotton, of a weight not exceeding 170g/m2
Woven fabrics of synthetic staple fibres, containing less than 85% by weight of such fibres, mixed mainly or solely with cotton, of a weight exceeding 170g/m2
Woven fabrics of synthetic staple fibres, n.e.c. in chapter 55
Woven fabrics of artificial staple fibres
Turn this code into a sourcing plan
HS 55 maps to live sourcing categories — jump straight to the sector and products we ship under it.
Top destinations for Chapter 55 exports
India's largest buyers of goods in this HS chapter in 2024, ranked by export value.
Chapter-level destination mix — your specific HS line may skew differently. Source: UN Comtrade, 2024.
Working out import duty for HS 55 into your market? See full duty context and India-vs-rivals comparisons in our India comparison guides and export resource hub.
Indian exporters in this category
Established export houses with relevant HS focus. Listings are compiled from public records — run your own due diligence.
Browse the full exporter directory →Source goods under HS 55 directly from India.
We handle sourcing, QC, freight and documentation end-to-end. You stay focused on growing the brand.