Yarn — HTS 5511
Yarn (other than sewing thread) of man-made staple fibers, put up for retail sale
Chapter 55 › Heading 5511
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 5511 groups yarn made from man-made staple fibers that is put up for retail sale. It excludes sewing thread and generally covers retail-packaged yarn intended for consumers, such as yarn sold in balls, skeins, or similar presentations. “Man-made staple fibers” is the broad material category and can include synthetic or artificial fibers cut to staple length.
To reach the correct 8-digit HTSUS code, start with the heading and then follow the lower-level subheadings. The tariff structure commonly separates products by the kind of fiber or material, such as synthetic versus artificial fibers, and may further distinguish the yarn’s construction or other stated characteristics. Read the complete 8-digit description and any relevant legal notes rather than choosing a code from the product name alone.
What to check
- Confirm that the product is yarn, not sewing thread, cordage, fabric, or another textile article.
- Verify that the fibers are man-made staple fibers and identify the specific fiber type from the supplier’s technical documents.
- Check whether the yarn is put up for retail sale, including its packaging and presentation to the consumer.
- Determine any additional characteristics required by the subheadings, such as fiber category, yarn construction, or blend composition.
- Compare the full 8-digit HTSUS descriptions and confirm the classification with a customs broker or other qualified specialist when the fiber content or product construction is unclear.
HTS heading 5511 summary
Yarn is a 4-digit product category containing 3 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.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5511.10.00 👉 | Of synthetic staple fibers, containing 85 percent or more by weight of such fibers | 7.5% | Free | 55% |
| 5511.20.00.00 👉 | Of synthetic staple fibers, containing less than 85 percent by weight of such fibers (200) | 7.5% | Free | 55% |
| 5511.30.00.00 👉 | Of artificial staple fibers (200) | 7.5% | Free | 55% |
"Special" shows the free-trade-agreement rate; open a code to see exactly which countries qualify.
Common questions
What products fall under HTS heading 5511?
Yarn (other than sewing thread) of man-made staple fibers, 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.