HS code · 6-digit subheading
HS Code 5501.11 – Fibres; synthetic filament tow, of nylon or other polyamides, of aramids
HS code 5501.11 is the 6-digit subheading for fibres, synthetic filament tow, of nylon or other polyamides, of aramids. It is used for kevlar aramid tow, nomex aramid tow, twaron aramid tow, technora aramid tow and heracron aramid tow.
What HS 5501.11 covers
This HS code specifically covers synthetic filament tow made from aramids, a high-performance subset of nylon or other polyamides. Aramid tow is a critical intermediate product in the manufacturing of extremely strong and heat-resistant materials. It's not a finished textile but rather a bundle of continuous, untwisted filaments used to produce industrial yarns, protective fabrics, and composite materials. Major importers are typically countries with advanced manufacturing industries in aerospace, defense, automotive, and personal protective equipment, such as the United States, Germany, and Japan. Exporters include nations with sophisticated chemical and polymer production capabilities, like the USA, Japan, and the Netherlands. Key characteristics include exceptional tensile strength, thermal stability, and chemical resistance, making them indispensable for demanding applications. Trade in this specialized tow is driven by industrial demand for high-performance materials and technological innovation in polymer science.
- Covers
- Kevlar aramid tow
- Nomex aramid tow
- Twaron aramid tow
- Technora aramid tow
- Heracron aramid tow
- Aramid filament bundles
- High-strength aramid precursor
- Examples
- DuPont Kevlar tow
- Teijin Twaron tow
- Teijin Technora tow
- Hyosung Aramid tow
- Kolon Heracron tow
Codes often confused with 5501.11
Common mistake. This code is specifically for aramid tow, distinguishing it from 550119 (other nylon/polyamide tow) which covers non-aramid types. It might be confused with 550311 (aramid staple fibers) if the tow is cut into shorter lengths.
Top exporters and importers of HS code 550111, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 550111 in UN Comtrade data was the United States, with 81% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Japan, with 85% of world imports. Countries that did not report 2025 data are estimated from partner records, which can understate them.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 United States $44M 81% of world exports
- 2 China $6.8M 12% of world exports
- 3 Netherlands $2.1M 3.8% of world exports
World total: $55M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 Japan $52M 85% of world imports
- 2 United States $2.1M 3.5% of world imports
- 3 Belgium $1.4M 2.3% of world imports
World total: $61M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
How these figures are built
109 countries reported 2025 trade to UN Comtrade in HS 2022, and their own totals are used. Countries that did not report are estimated from what other countries recorded trading with them. Those estimates miss trade with other non-reporting countries, so they can be low, and a non-reporting country can rank higher than shown or be missing from the list. World totals add both and leave out trade between two non-reporting countries. Figures are in current US dollars; reported imports are mostly valued CIF and exports FOB, and exports include re-exports. The UN Comtrade links show the underlying records; they can also list a few reporters left out here (regional groups and older HS editions).
Source: UN Comtrade (United Nations Statistics Division), 2025 annual data.
Brazil NCM code for 5501.11
Brazil does not split HS 5501.11: its NCM code is 5501.11.00.
All Brazil NCM codes in heading 55.01 →
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text is official; the English is our translation.
Questions about HS 5501.11
What is HS code 550111?
HS code 550111 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Fibres; synthetic filament tow, of nylon or other polyamides, of aramids. This HS code specifically covers synthetic filament tow made from aramids, a high-performance subset of nylon or other polyamides. Aramid tow is a critical intermediate product in the manufacturing of extremely strong and heat-resistant materials. It's not a finished textile but rather a bundle of continuous, untwisted filaments used to produce industrial yarns, protective fabrics, and composite materials. Major importers are typically countries with advanced manufacturing industries in aerospace, defense, automotive, and personal protective equipment, such as the United States, Germany, and Japan. Exporters include nations with sophisticated chemical and polymer production capabilities, like the USA, Japan, and the Netherlands. Key characteristics include exceptional tensile strength, thermal stability, and chemical resistance, making them indispensable for demanding applications. Trade in this specialized tow is driven by industrial demand for high-performance materials and technological innovation in polymer science.
What products fall under HS code 550111?
Kevlar aramid tow, Nomex aramid tow, Twaron aramid tow, Technora aramid tow, Heracron aramid tow, Aramid filament bundles, High-strength aramid precursor
What are common misclassifications for HS code 550111?
This code is specifically for aramid tow, distinguishing it from 550119 (other nylon/polyamide tow) which covers non-aramid types. It might be confused with 550311 (aramid staple fibers) if the tow is cut into shorter lengths.
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 550111?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 550111 in UN Comtrade data were the United States ($44M, 81% of world exports), China ($6.8M) and the Netherlands ($2.1M). World exports came to about $55M, adding countries' reported figures and partner-based estimates for those that did not report (UN Comtrade data). Countries that did not report 2025 data are estimated from partner records, which can understate them.
Which countries are the top importers of goods under HS code 550111?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 550111 in UN Comtrade data were Japan ($52M, 85% of world imports), the United States ($2.1M) and Belgium ($1.4M). World imports came to about $61M, adding countries' reported figures and partner-based estimates for those that did not report (UN Comtrade data). Countries that did not report 2025 data are estimated from partner records, which can understate them.
How is HS code 550111 structured?
HS code 550111 is a 6-digit subheading under the Harmonized System. The first 2 digits (55) identify the chapter, digits 3-4 (01) identify the heading, and digits 5-6 (11) specify the subheading. This code is standardized globally by the World Customs Organization.
What is the Brazil NCM code for HS code 550111?
In Brazil, HS code 550111 is NCM 5501.11.00. The last two digits are 00 because Brazil does not split this HS code further.