HS code · 6-digit subheading
HS Code 5509.59 – Yarn; (not sewing thread), of polyester staple fibres, mixed mainly or solely with fibres n.e.c. in item no. 5509.5, not put up for retail sale
HS code 5509.59 is the 6-digit subheading for yarn, (not sewing thread), of polyester staple fibres, mixed mainly or solely with fibres n.e.c. in item no. 5509.5, not put up for retail sale. It is used for polyester-viscose blend yarn, polyester-nylon blend yarn, polyester-spandex blend yarn, polyester-modal blend yarn and polyester-acrylic blend yarn.
What HS 5509.59 covers
This specific HS code captures the trade of bulk polyester staple fiber yarns blended with other synthetic or artificial fibers not specifically mentioned in the preceding subheadings of 5509.5 (i.e., not wool, fine animal hair, or cotton). This "not elsewhere specified" category is vital for innovative textile manufacturers who develop specialized blends to achieve unique performance characteristics, such as enhanced stretch, moisture-wicking, flame resistance, or specific textures. These yarns are intermediate products, not for retail, and are integral to the production of technical textiles, sportswear, protective clothing, and advanced fashion fabrics. Importers are typically textile mills and garment manufacturers in countries like China, Vietnam, and Turkey, which have the infrastructure to process these specialized yarns. Exporters often originate from nations with advanced chemical and textile industries, such as China, Taiwan, and South Korea, where new fiber technologies are developed and scaled. Key trading considerations include the specific blend composition, the properties imparted by the "other" fibers (e.g., spandex, rayon, nylon), and the yarn's suitability for specific end-use applications. This category highlights the dynamic and evolving nature of synthetic textile innovation.
- Covers
- Polyester-viscose blend yarn
- Polyester-nylon blend yarn
- Polyester-spandex blend yarn
- Polyester-modal blend yarn
- Polyester-acrylic blend yarn
- Polyester-lyocell blend yarn
- Polyester-aramid blend yarn
- Examples
- Invista (Coolmax/Thermolite blends)
- Lenzing (Tencel/Polyester blends)
- DuPont (Sorona/Polyester blends)
- Toray (various polyester blends)
Codes often confused with 5509.59
Common mistake. Misclassification can occur with 5509.99 (other synthetic staple fiber yarns mixed with other fibers) if the primary fiber isn't clearly polyester, or with 5510.11 (artificial staple fiber yarn) if the "other" fiber is artificial and constitutes the majority.
Top exporters and importers of HS code 550959, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 550959 in UN Comtrade data was China, with 70% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Bangladesh, with about 37% 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 China $106M 70% of world exports
- 2 India $10M 6.8% of world exports
- 3 Netherlands $7.1M 4.7% of world exports
World total: $152M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 Bangladesh* ~$64M 37% of world imports · partner records ↗
- 2 Egypt $29M 17% of world imports
- 3 Cambodia* ~$12M 7.3% of world imports · partner records ↗
World total: $171M 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 5509.59
Brazil does not split HS 5509.59: its NCM code is 5509.59.00.
All Brazil NCM codes in heading 55.09 →
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text is official; the English is our translation.
Questions about HS 5509.59
What is HS code 550959?
HS code 550959 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Yarn; (not sewing thread), of polyester staple fibres, mixed mainly or solely with fibres n.e.c. in item no. 5509.5, not put up for retail sale. This specific HS code captures the trade of bulk polyester staple fiber yarns blended with other synthetic or artificial fibers not specifically mentioned in the preceding subheadings of 5509.5 (i.e., not wool, fine animal hair, or cotton). This "not elsewhere specified" category is vital for innovative textile manufacturers who develop specialized blends to achieve unique performance characteristics, such as enhanced stretch, moisture-wicking, flame resistance, or specific textures. These yarns are intermediate products, not for retail, and are integral to the production of technical textiles, sportswear, protective clothing, and advanced fashion fabrics. Importers are typically textile mills and garment manufacturers in countries like China, Vietnam, and Turkey, which have the infrastructure to process these specialized yarns. Exporters often originate from nations with advanced chemical and textile industries, such as China, Taiwan, and South Korea, where new fiber technologies are developed and scaled. Key trading considerations include the specific blend composition, the properties imparted by the "other" fibers (e.g., spandex, rayon, nylon), and the yarn's suitability for specific end-use applications. This category highlights the dynamic and evolving nature of synthetic textile innovation.
What products fall under HS code 550959?
Polyester-viscose blend yarn, Polyester-nylon blend yarn, Polyester-spandex blend yarn, Polyester-modal blend yarn, Polyester-acrylic blend yarn, Polyester-lyocell blend yarn, Polyester-aramid blend yarn
What are common misclassifications for HS code 550959?
Misclassification can occur with 5509.99 (other synthetic staple fiber yarns mixed with other fibers) if the primary fiber isn't clearly polyester, or with 5510.11 (artificial staple fiber yarn) if the "other" fiber is artificial and constitutes the majority.
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 550959?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 550959 in UN Comtrade data were China ($106M, 70% of world exports), India ($10M) and the Netherlands ($7.1M). World exports came to about $152M, 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 550959?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 550959 in UN Comtrade data were Bangladesh (about $64M, 37% of world imports), Egypt ($29M) and Cambodia (about $12M). World imports came to about $171M, 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 550959 structured?
HS code 550959 is a 6-digit subheading under the Harmonized System. The first 2 digits (55) identify the chapter, digits 3-4 (09) identify the heading, and digits 5-6 (59) specify the subheading. This code is standardized globally by the World Customs Organization.
What is the Brazil NCM code for HS code 550959?
In Brazil, HS code 550959 is NCM 5509.59.00. The last two digits are 00 because Brazil does not split this HS code further.