Product classification

HS code for Cellulose acetate tow: 5502.10

Fibres, artificial filament tow of cellulose acetate.

Classification of cellulose acetate tow under HS 5502.10

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.

Covers
  • Cellulose acetate filter tow
  • Continuous artificial filament tow
  • Acetate tow for cigarette filter manufacture
  • Bundles of parallel cellulose acetate filaments
Also under 5502.10
  • Eastman Estron Acetate Tow
  • Celanese Clarifoil
  • Daicel Acetate Tow
  • Mitsubishi Rayon Acetate Tow

Codes often confused with 5502.10

Common mistake. 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.

5403.33Yarn, artificial; filament, monofilament (less than 67 decitex), of cellulose acetate, single, not for retail sale, not sewing thread5403.42Yarn, artificial; filament, monofilament (less than 67 decitex), of cellulose acetate, multiple (folded) or cabled, not for retail sale, not sewing thread5504.10Fibres; artificial staple fibres, of viscose, not carded, combed or otherwise processed for spinning3912.11Cellulose acetates; non-plasticised, in primary forms

Top exporters and importers of HS 550210 (the code used for cellulose acetate tow), 2025

In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 550210 (the code used for cellulose acetate tow) in UN Comtrade data was the United States, with 54% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Poland, with 16% of world imports. Countries that did not report 2025 data are estimated from partner records, which can understate them.

Figures cover everything classified under HS 550210, not only cellulose acetate tow.

Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports

  1. 1 United States $722M
  2. 2 Poland $184M
  3. 3 China $90M

World total: $1.3B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗

Top importers 2025 · share of world imports

  1. 1 Poland $396M
  2. 2 Indonesia $302M
  3. 3 Türkiye $184M

World total: $2.5B 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.

Brazil NCM code for cellulose acetate tow

Brazil classifies cellulose acetate tow under NCM 5502.10.00: HS 5502.10 with 00 added.

Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text on each NCM page is the official one.

Questions about cellulose acetate tow

What is the HS code for Cellulose acetate tow?

The HS code for Cellulose acetate tow is 550210 (Fibres; artificial filament tow of cellulose acetate). The HS code for cellulose acetate tow is 5502.10.

How do I classify Cellulose acetate tow for customs?

Cellulose acetate tow is classified under HS code 550210 — Fibres; artificial filament tow of cellulose acetate. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.

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.

Which countries are the top exporters of cellulose acetate tow (HS 550210)?

In 2025, the top exporters of HS 550210 (the code used for cellulose acetate tow) in UN Comtrade data were the United States ($722M, 54% of world exports), Poland ($184M) and China ($90M). World exports came to about $1.3B, 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 cellulose acetate tow (HS 550210)?

In 2025, the top importers of HS 550210 (the code used for cellulose acetate tow) in UN Comtrade data were Poland ($396M, 16% of world imports), Indonesia ($302M) and Türkiye ($184M). World imports came to about $2.5B, 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.

Is the HS code for Cellulose acetate tow the same in all countries?

The base HS code 550210 for Cellulose acetate tow is internationally standardized for the first 6 digits across 200+ countries. Individual countries may add additional digits for national tariff lines and specific classifications.

What is the NCM code for cellulose acetate tow in Brazil?

In Brazil, cellulose acetate tow (HS 550210) is classified under NCM 5502.10.00.