Product classification
HS code for Modacrylic tow: 5501.30
Fibres, synthetic filament tow, acrylic or modacrylic.
Classification of modacrylic tow under HS 5501.30
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.
- Covers
- Modacrylic filament tow
- Synthetic filament tow (acrylic/modacrylic)
- Flame-resistant modacrylic tow
- Continuous modacrylic filament bundles for staple production
- Also under 5501.30
- Dralon acrylic tow
- Kaneka Modacrylic tow
- Mitsubishi Rayon acrylic tow
- Toraylan acrylic tow
- Sinopec acrylic tow
Codes often confused with 5501.30
Common mistake. 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.
Top exporters and importers of HS 550130 (the code used for modacrylic tow), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 550130 (the code used for modacrylic tow) in UN Comtrade data was Japan, with 47% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Türkiye, with 11% 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 550130, not only modacrylic tow.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 Japan $279M 47% of world exports
- 2 South Korea $87M 15% of world exports
- 3 Thailand $77M 13% of world exports
World total: $596M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 Türkiye $59M 11% of world imports
- 2 Indonesia $44M 8.0% of world imports
- 3 Bangladesh* ~$43M 7.9% of world imports · partner records ↗
World total: $541M 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 modacrylic tow
Brazil classifies modacrylic tow under NCM 5501.30.00: HS 5501.30 with 00 added.
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text on each NCM page is the official one.
Questions about modacrylic tow
What is the HS code for Modacrylic tow?
The HS code for Modacrylic tow is 550130 (Fibres; synthetic filament tow, acrylic or modacrylic). The HS code for modacrylic filament tow is 5501.30.
How do I classify Modacrylic tow for customs?
Modacrylic tow is classified under HS code 550130 — Fibres; synthetic filament tow, acrylic or modacrylic. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.
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.
Which countries are the top exporters of modacrylic tow (HS 550130)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 550130 (the code used for modacrylic tow) in UN Comtrade data were Japan ($279M, 47% of world exports), South Korea ($87M) and Thailand ($77M). World exports came to about $596M, 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 modacrylic tow (HS 550130)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 550130 (the code used for modacrylic tow) in UN Comtrade data were Türkiye ($59M, 11% of world imports), Indonesia ($44M) and Bangladesh (about $43M). World imports came to about $541M, 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 Modacrylic tow the same in all countries?
The base HS code 550130 for Modacrylic 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 modacrylic tow in Brazil?
In Brazil, modacrylic tow (HS 550130) is classified under NCM 5501.30.00.