HS code · 6-digit subheading
HS Code 5505.20 – Fibres; waste (including noils, yarn waste and garnetted stock), of artificial fibres
HS code 5505.20 is the 6-digit subheading for fibres, waste (including noils, yarn waste and garnetted stock), of artificial fibres. It is used for viscose yarn waste, acetate fibre noils, cupro garnetted stock, modal spinning waste and lyocell fabric offcuts.
What HS 5505.20 covers
This HS code specifically deals with waste materials derived from artificial fibres, such as viscose, acetate, or cupro. This includes noils, yarn waste, and garnetted stock, which are by-products of the manufacturing and processing of these cellulosic-based fibres. The trade in these waste materials is vital for promoting resource efficiency and sustainability within the textile sector, allowing for the recovery and reuse of valuable resources. Typical importers are recycling facilities, manufacturers of non-woven materials, and producers of regenerated fibres or specialty papers. Exporters are primarily textile mills, spinning operations, and fibre producers that generate these waste streams. Important factors for trade include the type of artificial fibre, its cleanliness, and the form of the waste, as these impact its suitability for various recycling technologies and end-use applications, which can range from insulation and stuffing to new regenerated yarns.
- Covers
- Viscose yarn waste
- Acetate fibre noils
- Cupro garnetted stock
- Modal spinning waste
- Lyocell fabric offcuts
- Rayon fibre waste
- Mixed artificial fibre waste
- Examples
- Lenzing (recycled cellulosic fibres)
- Eastman (recycled acetate)
- Various industrial rayon waste streams
- Post-industrial viscose waste
Codes often confused with 5505.20
Common mistake. This code is often mistaken for 550510 (waste of synthetic fibres) because both cover fibre waste, but the key difference lies in the fibre's origin: 550520 is for artificial (cellulosic-based) fibres, while 550510 is for synthetic (petroleum-based) fibres.
Top exporters and importers of HS code 550520, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 550520 in UN Comtrade data was Honduras, with about 26% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was India, with 30% 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 Honduras* ~$1.4M 26% of world exports · partner records ↗
- 2 United States $807K 15% of world exports
- 3 Spain $738K 13% of world exports
World total: $5.6M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 India $1.9M 30% of world imports
- 2 Dominican Republic $1.4M 22% of world imports
- 3 Germany $584K 9.0% of world imports
World total: $6.5M 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 marked * did not, so their figures add up what other countries recorded trading with them, and their exports are valued at buyers' CIF prices. 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 5505.20
Brazil does not split HS 5505.20: its NCM code is 5505.20.00.
All Brazil NCM codes in heading 55.05 →
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text is official; the English is our translation.
Questions about HS 5505.20
What is HS code 550520?
HS code 550520 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Fibres; waste (including noils, yarn waste and garnetted stock), of artificial fibres. This HS code specifically deals with waste materials derived from artificial fibres, such as viscose, acetate, or cupro. This includes noils, yarn waste, and garnetted stock, which are by-products of the manufacturing and processing of these cellulosic-based fibres. The trade in these waste materials is vital for promoting resource efficiency and sustainability within the textile sector, allowing for the recovery and reuse of valuable resources. Typical importers are recycling facilities, manufacturers of non-woven materials, and producers of regenerated fibres or specialty papers. Exporters are primarily textile mills, spinning operations, and fibre producers that generate these waste streams. Important factors for trade include the type of artificial fibre, its cleanliness, and the form of the waste, as these impact its suitability for various recycling technologies and end-use applications, which can range from insulation and stuffing to new regenerated yarns.
What products fall under HS code 550520?
Viscose yarn waste, Acetate fibre noils, Cupro garnetted stock, Modal spinning waste, Lyocell fabric offcuts, Rayon fibre waste, Mixed artificial fibre waste
What are common misclassifications for HS code 550520?
This code is often mistaken for 550510 (waste of synthetic fibres) because both cover fibre waste, but the key difference lies in the fibre's origin: 550520 is for artificial (cellulosic-based) fibres, while 550510 is for synthetic (petroleum-based) fibres.
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 550520?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 550520 in UN Comtrade data were Honduras (about $1.4M, 26% of world exports), the United States ($807K) and Spain ($738K). World exports came to about $5.6M, 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 550520?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 550520 in UN Comtrade data were India ($1.9M, 30% of world imports), the Dominican Republic ($1.4M) and Germany ($584K). World imports came to about $6.5M, 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 550520 structured?
HS code 550520 is a 6-digit subheading under the Harmonized System. The first 2 digits (55) identify the chapter, digits 3-4 (05) identify the heading, and digits 5-6 (20) specify the subheading. This code is standardized globally by the World Customs Organization.
What is the Brazil NCM code for HS code 550520?
In Brazil, HS code 550520 is NCM 5505.20.00. The last two digits are 00 because Brazil does not split this HS code further.