HS Code for Cellulose acetate tow

Cellulose acetate tow is classified under HS code 5502.10. This classification falls within Chapter 55, which covers man-made staple fibers and filament tow. Heading 5502 is specifically reserved for artificial filament tow. According to the legal notes in Chapter 55, specifically Note 1, filament tow must meet several criteria: it must consist of parallel filaments of uniform length, the length of the tow must exceed 2 meters, the twist must be less than 5 turns per meter, and the filaments must measure 67 decitex or more. Subheading 5502.10 is the specific code for tow made from cellulose acetate. This material is distinct from staple fibers because the filaments are continuous and bundled together. The classification is primarily driven by the chemical composition (cellulose acetate) and the physical form (tow). Cellulose acetate tow is a high-volume industrial product, most notably used in the production of cigarette filters, where its specific filtration properties are required. It is also used in specialized textile applications where the tow is subsequently cut into staple fibers for spinning. If the product does not meet the length or twist requirements of Note 1 to Chapter 55, it may be classified as yarn in Chapter 54 or as staple fibers in heading 5504.

Products Included

• Cellulose acetate filter tow
• Continuous artificial filament tow
• Acetate tow for cigarette filter manufacture
• Bundles of parallel cellulose acetate filaments

Common Misclassification

Cellulose acetate tow is often misclassified under 5403.33 or 5403.42 (filament yarns). However, yarns are intended for weaving or knitting and usually have a higher twist or different packaging. It is also confused with 5504.10, which covers artificial staple fibers. The distinction is that tow (5502.10) consists of continuous filaments, whereas staple fibers (5504.10) have been cut to specific short lengths. Another common error is using 3912.11, which is for cellulose acetate in primary forms like powder or granules, rather than the processed filament form.

FAQ

What is the HS code for cellulose acetate tow?

The HS code for cellulose acetate tow is 5502.10.

What is the difference between acetate tow and acetate yarn?

Tow consists of a large bundle of continuous filaments with very little twist, primarily used for filtration or further processing into staple fibers, while yarn is a finer strand intended for textile production.