HS Code for Modacrylic tow

Modacrylic tow is classified under HS code 5501.30. According to the Section XI notes of the Harmonized System, synthetic filament tow consists of bundles of parallel filaments of a uniform length equal to the length of the bundle. For a product to be classified under heading 5501, the tow must meet several technical criteria: the bundle must exceed 2 meters in length, have a twist of less than 5 turns per meter, and the filaments must measure less than 67 decitex each. Modacrylic tow is a precursor material used primarily in the textile industry to be cut into staple fibers or processed through tow-to-top conversion. The chemical composition of modacrylic—being a copolymer of acrylonitrile—gives the tow its characteristic flame resistance and chemical stability. This classification is strictly for the raw filament bundle before it is cut into shorter staple lengths or spun into yarn. It is an industrial intermediate product used by fiber converters and spinning mills to create specialized yarns for safety apparel and home furnishings.

Products Included

• Modacrylic filament tow
• Synthetic filament tow (acrylic/modacrylic)
• Flame-resistant modacrylic tow
• Continuous modacrylic filament bundles for staple production

Common Misclassification

A common misclassification occurs with HS code 5503.30, which is for modacrylic staple fibers. The difference is that tow (5501.30) is a continuous bundle of filaments, while staple fibers are already cut to specific lengths. Another confusion arises with HS code 5402.39, which covers synthetic filament yarn. If the filament bundle has a twist of 5 turns or more per meter, it is classified as yarn under Chapter 54 rather than tow under Chapter 55.

FAQ

What is the HS code for Modacrylic tow?

The HS code for modacrylic filament tow is 5501.30.

What is the difference between modacrylic tow and modacrylic yarn?

Tow is a bundle of untwisted or lightly twisted continuous filaments intended for further processing into staple fibers, while yarn (Chapter 54 or 55) is a finished product ready for weaving or knitting.