HS code · 4-digit heading
HS Code 55.04 – Artificial staple fibres, not carded, combed or otherwise processed for spinning
What HS 55.04 covers
Heading 5504 covers "Artificial staple fibres, not carded, combed or otherwise processed for spinning." This classification pertains to staple fibers derived from regenerated cellulose (e.g., viscose rayon, modal, lyocell, cupro, acetate) that are in their raw, loose, and unaligned state, having not undergone any preparatory processing like carding or combing for yarn production. Essentially, these are cut lengths of artificial filaments, similar to their synthetic counterparts in 5503, but distinguished by their cellulosic origin. This 'not processed' condition is crucial for proper classification, indicating they are primary raw materials awaiting further textile manufacturing steps. Artificial staple fibers are valued for their absorbency, breathability, and drape, often used in apparel, home textiles, and non-woven applications, sometimes as sustainable alternatives to synthetic or natural fibers. For importers and exporters, understanding the specific characteristics of these fibers is vital for accurate customs declarations, duty calculations, and compliance with environmental regulations. This heading is a fundamental part of Section XI, providing the base for a wide range of textile products that prioritize comfort, feel, and increasingly, ecological footprint. Its trade significance is growing with the increasing consumer demand for sustainable and biodegradable textile options.
- Covers
- Unprocessed viscose rayon staple fibers
- Raw modal staple fibers
- Loose lyocell staple fibers
- Un-carded cellulose acetate staple fibers
- Virgin cupro staple fibers
- Un-combed bamboo staple fibers (regenerated)
- Crimped rayon staple fibers (unprocessed)
- Hollow modal staple fibers (loose)
- Solid lyocell staple fibers (raw)
- Regenerated protein staple fibers (unprocessed)
- Low-denier viscose staple fibers
- Flame-retardant modal staple fibers
- Anti-bacterial lyocell staple fibers
- Recycled cellulose acetate staple fibers (unprocessed)
- High-wet-modulus (HWM) rayon staple fibers
- Short-cut viscose fibers for paper
- Short-cut lyocell fibers for non-wovens
- Modal microfibers (raw)
- Un-dyed viscose rayon staple fibers
- Un-dyed modal staple fibers
- Un-dyed lyocell staple fibers
- Un-dyed cellulose acetate staple fibers
- Staple fibers for hygiene products
- Staple fibers for medical textiles
- Examples
An apparel manufacturer in Pakistan imports unprocessed viscose rayon staple fibers from Indonesia for blending with cotton to produce comfortable and breathable fabrics, utilizing established maritime routes. A European company specializing in sustainable textiles exports raw lyocell staple fibers from Austria to China, where they are spun into yarn for eco-friendly fashion brands, leveraging efficient global logistics networks. Furthermore, a US-based non-woven producer imports cellulose acetate staple fibers from Japan for use in specialized filtration media, navigating specific customs requirements for high-performance materials. Indian textile mills frequently source modal staple fibers from Turkey for their domestic and export-oriented home textile sectors, often through direct shipping lines. Lastly, a Brazilian company imports cupro staple fibers from Italy for luxury apparel production, benefiting from the unique properties of these regenerated fibers.
Subheadings under 55.04 2
Codes often confused with 55.04
Common mistake. A primary misclassification risk for HS 5504 is confusing it with synthetic staple fibers (HS 5503). The critical difference is the fiber's origin: 5504 is for regenerated cellulose (artificial), while 5503 is for synthetic polymers. Another common error is classifying these unprocessed fibers under HS 5506, which is for *processed* synthetic staple fibers. While there isn't a direct 'processed artificial staple fibers' heading, processed artificial fibers would fall under 5509-5511 as yarns. The 'not processed for spinning' condition is key for 5504. Traders must also avoid classifying waste (HS 5505) as virgin fibers from this heading, ensuring the product's condition is accurately reflected.
Top exporters and importers of HS code 5504, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 5504 in UN Comtrade data was Indonesia, with 30% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Türkiye, with 17% 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 Indonesia $716M 30% of world exports
- 2 China $575M 24% of world exports
- 3 Thailand $382M 16% of world exports
World total: $2.4B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 Türkiye $581M 17% of world imports
- 2 China $540M 16% of world imports
- 3 Pakistan $338M 9.8% of world imports
World total: $3.5B 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.
Questions about HS 55.04
What is HS code 5504?
HS code 5504 is a 4-digit heading in the Harmonized System that covers: Artificial staple fibres, not carded, combed or otherwise processed for spinning. Heading 5504 covers "Artificial staple fibres, not carded, combed or otherwise processed for spinning." This classification pertains to staple fibers derived from regenerated cellulose (e.g., viscose rayon, modal, lyocell, cupro, acetate) that are in their raw, loose, and unaligned state, having not undergone any preparatory processing like carding or combing for yarn production. Essentially, these are cut lengths of artificial filaments, similar to their synthetic counterparts in 5503, but distinguished by their cellulosic origin. This 'not processed' condition is crucial for proper classification, indicating they are primary raw materials awaiting further textile manufacturing steps. Artificial staple fibers are valued for their absorbency, breathability, and drape, often used in apparel, home textiles, and non-woven applications, sometimes as sustainable alternatives to synthetic or natural fibers. For importers and exporters, understanding the specific characteristics of these fibers is vital for accurate customs declarations, duty calculations, and compliance with environmental regulations. This heading is a fundamental part of Section XI, providing the base for a wide range of textile products that prioritize comfort, feel, and increasingly, ecological footprint. Its trade significance is growing with the increasing consumer demand for sustainable and biodegradable textile options.
What products fall under HS code 5504?
Unprocessed viscose rayon staple fibers, raw modal staple fibers, loose lyocell staple fibers, un-carded cellulose acetate staple fibers, virgin cupro staple fibers, un-combed bamboo staple fibers (regenerated), crimped rayon staple fibers (unprocessed), hollow modal staple fibers (loose), solid lyocell staple fibers (raw), regenerated protein staple fibers (unprocessed), low-denier viscose staple fibers, flame-retardant modal staple fibers, anti-bacterial lyocell staple fibers, recycled cellulose acetate staple fibers (unprocessed), high-wet-modulus (HWM) rayon staple fibers, short-cut viscose fibers for paper, short-cut lyocell fibers for non-wovens, modal microfibers (raw), un-dyed viscose rayon staple fibers, un-dyed modal staple fibers, un-dyed lyocell staple fibers, un-dyed cellulose acetate staple fibers, staple fibers for hygiene products, staple fibers for medical textiles
What are common misclassifications for HS code 5504?
A primary misclassification risk for HS 5504 is confusing it with synthetic staple fibers (HS 5503). The critical difference is the fiber's origin: 5504 is for regenerated cellulose (artificial), while 5503 is for synthetic polymers. Another common error is classifying these unprocessed fibers under HS 5506, which is for *processed* synthetic staple fibers. While there isn't a direct 'processed artificial staple fibers' heading, processed artificial fibers would fall under 5509-5511 as yarns. The 'not processed for spinning' condition is key for 5504. Traders must also avoid classifying waste (HS 5505) as virgin fibers from this heading, ensuring the product's condition is accurately reflected.
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 5504?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 5504 in UN Comtrade data were Indonesia ($716M, 30% of world exports), China ($575M) and Thailand ($382M). World exports came to about $2.4B, 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 5504?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 5504 in UN Comtrade data were Türkiye ($581M, 17% of world imports), China ($540M) and Pakistan ($338M). World imports came to about $3.5B, 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 5504 structured?
HS code 5504 is a 4-digit heading under Chapter 55 of the Harmonized System. The first 2 digits (55) identify the chapter, and digits 3-4 (04) specify the heading. This code contains multiple 6-digit subheadings for precise product classification.