Yarn — HTS 5509
Yarn (other than sewing thread) of synthetic staple fibers, not put up for retail sale
Chapter 55 › Heading 5509
2026 HTS Rev 19 Synced Rules verified Operational
Written to help non-specialists understand this page. Rates, dates, and legal facts come from the official records above and on the linked source.
HTS heading 5509 is a broad product category for yarn made from synthetic staple fibers, other than sewing thread, when the yarn is not put up for retail sale. “Synthetic” generally refers to man-made fibers produced from chemical polymers, while “staple fibers” are shorter fibers spun or twisted into yarn rather than continuous filaments. The heading can cover yarn made from materials such as synthetic fiber types identified in the tariff, subject to the heading’s exclusions and legal notes.
The 4-digit heading is only the starting point. To reach the specific 8-digit HTSUS code, follow the subheading structure and review the yarn’s fiber material, whether it is single, multiple, or cabled yarn where relevant, and any other physical or commercial distinction stated in the subheadings. Confirm the product’s construction and packaging: “not put up for retail sale” is a tariff classification concept that may depend on how the yarn is presented, labeled, and prepared for sale, not simply on the buyer’s intended use.
What to check
- Confirm that the product is yarn—not sewing thread, fabric, tow, or loose fiber—and that the fibers are synthetic and staple rather than natural, artificial, or continuous filament.
- Identify the exact fiber composition and verify whether the tariff distinguishes that material from other synthetic staple fibers; use the supplier’s fiber specification, not a marketing name alone.
- Examine the yarn construction, including whether it is single, multiple, or cabled, and follow the applicable subheading descriptions and legal notes.
- Check how the yarn is packaged and labeled to determine whether it is put up for retail sale; retain product photos, packaging details, and commercial documents.
- Read the current HTSUS heading, subheadings, section and chapter notes, and any relevant classification rulings; ask a customs broker or request a binding ruling if the facts are unclear.
HTS heading 5509 summary
Yarn is a 4-digit product category containing 15 published product-code lines in this snapshot. A heading does not carry one universal duty rate; classification must be narrowed to the line matching the product facts.
How to find your code in this category
A heading is a product category. To get the exact duty, narrow from this 4-digit heading to a sub-category (usually by material), then open the 8-digit code that matches your product.
Open any code in the tables below to see its exact duty rate, a duty calculator (enter your shipment value → estimated duty and landed cost), the rate-change history chart, and the country-by-country breakdown (including Section 301/232 add-on duties).
Why you have to click in: a single category can contain products with very different duties. The rate depends on the specific product — its material and construction — and on the country of origin, and those only get pinned down at the 8-digit code level. That is why this page points you to codes instead of showing one rate for the whole category.
Sub-categories
| Code | Description |
|---|---|
| 5509.51 | Mixed mainly or solely with artificial staple fibers |
| 5509.69 | Other |
| 5509.99 | Other |
Product codes & duty rates
👇 Each row is a specific product code — click a blue code to open its full page with exact duty rates by country, the rate-history chart, and a duty calculator. 👉
| Code | Description | General (MFN) | Special | Column 2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5509.11.00.00 👉 | Single yarn (604) | 9.4% | Free | 54% |
| 5509.12.00.00 👉 | Multiple (folded) or cabled yarn (604) | 10.6% | Free | 61.5% |
| 5509.21.00.00 👉 | Single yarn (604) | 9.7% | Free | 54% |
| 5509.22.00 👉 | Multiple (folded) or cabled yarn | 10.6% | Free | 61.5% |
| 5509.31.00.00 👉 | Single yarn (604) | 9% | Free | 54% |
| 5509.32.00.00 👉 | Multiple (folded) or cabled yarn (604) | 10% | Free | 61.5% |
| 5509.41.00 👉 | Single yarn | 9% | Free | 54% |
| 5509.42.00 👉 | Multiple (folded) or cabled yarn | 7% | Free | 61.5% |
| 5509.52.00.00 👉 | Mixed mainly or solely with wool or fine animal hair (607) | 12% | Free | 81% |
| 5509.53.00 👉 | Mixed mainly or solely with cotton | 13.2% | Free | 81% |
| 5509.59.00.00 👉 | Other (607) | 13.2% | Free | 81% |
| 5509.61.00.00 👉 | Mixed mainly or solely with wool or fine animal hair (607) | 13.2% | Free | 81% |
| 5509.62.00.00 👉 | Mixed mainly or solely with cotton (607) | 12% | Free | 81% |
| 5509.91.00.00 👉 | Mixed mainly or solely with wool or fine animal hair (607) | 12% | Free | 81% |
| 5509.92.00.00 👉 | Mixed mainly or solely with cotton (607) | 7.5% | Free | 81% |
"Special" shows the free-trade-agreement rate; open a code to see exactly which countries qualify.
Common questions
What products fall under HTS heading 5509?
Yarn (other than sewing thread) of synthetic staple fibers, not put up for retail sale. To classify a specific item you must pick the matching sub-category and 8-digit code above; the right choice usually depends on the material and construction of the product.
How do I choose the right code within this category?
Start from the sub-categories (typically divided by material—for example cotton versus man-made fibers), then open the active 8- or 10-digit code that matches the product. When unsure, a licensed customs broker or a CBP binding ruling can confirm the classification.
Reference information only, not customs, legal, or classification advice. Confirm the current code and rate against the official HTS before you import.