U.S. imports of Polyester Staple Fibers, Not Processed for Spinning (HS 550320) totaled $31.1M in August 2026, imported from 34 countries.
Importers of Polyester Staple Fibers, Not Processed for Spinning paid $4.4M in duties in August 2026, an average duty rate of 14.10% — duty actually collected as a share of the imports that cleared customs, not the published tariff schedule.
Last updated: August 2026 dataSubject to Section 301 tariffs when sourced from China, polyester staple fibers in unprocessed form are a foundational input for nonwoven fabrics, fiberfill, and spun yarn production. The US tariff schedule subdivides this heading by decitex range and fiber construction: bi-component low-melt polyester (5503200015), fine fibers under 3.3 decitex (5503200025), mid-range 3.3–13.2 decitex (5503200045), and coarse fibers at or above 13.2 decitex (5503200065). South Korea leads US supply, followed by Vietnam and Thailand, making Asian origin concentration a key sourcing risk consideration for textile manufacturers.
AI-written summary of the official U.S. Census Bureau trade figures on this page — verify before relying on it.
671 import shipments a month
The US schedule breaks polyester staple fibers into distinct 10-digit lines based on fiber fineness: below 3.3 decitex (5503200025), 3.3 to under 13.2 decitex (5503200045), and 13.2 decitex or above (5503200065). Bi-component low-melt constructions have their own dedicated line (5503200015). Importers should confirm the fiber's decitex specification from the mill before filing entry to avoid misclassification.
Bi-component low-melt fibers consist of two polymer components with different melting points, enabling thermal bonding in nonwoven applications without adhesives. This construction places them in a dedicated tariff line (5503200015) separate from conventional single-component polyester staple fibers, so the fiber's technical data sheet confirming its bi-component structure is essential documentation at entry.
ImportsExports
Imports
$31.1MYoY · free account
Exports
$5.9MYoY · free account
12-mo low · imports
Low · free accountOver the twelve months to August 2026, the U.S. imported $379.1M of Polyester Staple Fibers, Not Processed for Spinning and exported $58.7M.
Through August 2026. Source: U.S. Census Bureau.
Trade Directory
List your company under HS 550320 — Polyester Staple Fibers, Not Processed for Spinning, so the companies trading it can find you. Be the first supplier listed.
HS10 import codes under this HS6 parent, each with its own page. Source: U.S. Harmonized Tariff Schedule.
| Code | Description | Imports for consumption | Average duty rate | Dutiable Share | Duty Collected |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5503200025 | Syn Stp Fib, Nt Prcssd, of Poly, Lt 3.3 Deci, NESOI | $11.0M | 13.41% | 93.26% | $1.5M |
| 5503200065 | Syn Stp Fib, Nt Prcssd, Ply, Gt=13.2 Decitex, NESOI | $7.1M | 15.02% | 97.91% | $1.1M |
| 5503200015 | Syn Stp Fib, Nt Prcssd, Bi-Component, Low Melt Ply | $6.6M | 13.48% | 99.99% | $894K |
| 5503200045 | Syn Stp Fib, Nt Prcd, Poly, Gt=3.3& Lt 13.2 Dec, NESOI | $6.3M | 14.92% | 98.29% | $942K |
HS10 export codes under this HS6 parent, each with its own page. Source: U.S. Schedule B export classification.
| Code | Description | Export Value |
|---|---|---|
| 5503200000 | Syn Stp Fib Nt Crd, Cmb or Prsd Spng: of Polyester | $5.9M |
Import lines come from the U.S. Harmonized Tariff Schedule and export lines from Schedule B. The two are numbered by different agencies, so the same 10-digit code can appear in both tables describing a different product.
Subheading 1 of 6 in heading 5503
Subheading 550320 · $31.1M of $54.5M
Imports · August 2026
origin
South Korea and Vietnam together supply 51% of it.
customs district
destination
entry
rate provision · imports
3.2% enters free of duty; duty collected equals 14.10% of imports for consumption.