U.S. exports of Polyester Staple Fibers, Carded, Combed or Processed for Spinning (HS 550620) totaled $67K in August 2026.
Polyester Staple Fibers, Carded, Combed or Processed for Spinning imports of $20K in August 2026 ran 29% above the year-to-date monthly average of $15K.
Last updated: August 2026 dataPolyester staple fibers that have been carded, combed, or otherwise mechanically prepared for spinning are more value-added than their unprocessed counterparts in heading 5503, and the entire category resolves to a single US tariff line (5506200000). These fibers feed directly into ring-spun and open-end yarn systems for apparel, home textiles, and technical fabrics. Germany leads US imports under this heading, with China and India also among the significant suppliers — a notably more European-weighted supply profile than the Asian-dominant pattern seen in unprocessed polyester staple.
AI-written summary of the official U.S. Census Bureau trade figures on this page — verify before relying on it.
3 import shipments a month
European producers — particularly in Germany — are known for specialty carded polyester fibers with tight decitex tolerances, consistent crimp profiles, and certifications (such as OEKO-TEX or GRS recycled content) that command premium pricing in technical textile and high-end apparel yarn markets. Cost-sensitive commodity applications typically source from Asia, while performance-specification or certified-content requirements often drive sourcing toward European mills.
The boundary between 'not processed for spinning' (heading 5503) and 'processed for spinning' (heading 5506) can be ambiguous for lightly opened or crimped fiber that has not undergone full carding. CBP's classification guidance focuses on whether the fiber has been mechanically aligned and prepared to a state suitable for direct introduction into a spinning system. If the processing state is genuinely uncertain, importers should request a binding ruling or obtain a detailed processing description from the manufacturer to support the chosen classification.
ImportsExports
Imports
$20KYoY · free account
Exports
$67KYoY · free account
12-mo low · imports
Low · free accountOver the twelve months to August 2026, the U.S. imported $148K of Polyester Staple Fibers, Carded, Combed or Processed for Spinning and exported $1.3M.
Fewer than 6 of the last 12 months reported trade, or the latest month was under $500K; the trend chart is not shown for thin series.
Through August 2026. Source: U.S. Census Bureau.
Trade Directory
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Subheading 2 of 5 in heading 5506
Subheading 550620 · $67K of $1.1M
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5506200000 | Syn Stpl Fib Crd Cmb or Prcd Spng of Polyester | $20K | 39.25% | 90.85% | $8K |
HS10 export codes under this HS6 parent, each with its own page. Source: U.S. Schedule B export classification.
| Code | Description | Export Value |
|---|---|---|
| 5506200000 | Syn Stpl Fib Crd Cmb or Prcd Spng of Polyester | $67K |
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.
Exports · August 2026
destination
Mexico and Ireland together take 73% of it.
customs district
origin
entry
rate provision · imports
9.2% enters free of duty; duty collected equals 39.25% of imports for consumption.