Product classification
HS code for Nylon staple fibers: 5506.10
Fibres, synthetic staple fibres, of nylon or other polyamides, carded, combed or otherwise processed for spinning.
Classification of nylon staple fibers under HS 5506.10
Nylon staple fibers that have undergone mechanical processing such as carding or combing are classified under HS code 5506.10. This code is part of Chapter 55, which manages man-made staple fibers. The transition from heading 5503 to 5506 occurs when the raw staple fibers are subjected to preparatory processes for spinning. Carding involves passing the fibers through a series of rollers with wire teeth to disentangle them and remove impurities, resulting in a continuous web or sliver. Combing is a further refinement step that aligns the fibers in a parallel fashion and removes shorter fibers. These processes are essential for creating high-quality yarn. Classification under 5506.10 indicates that the product is a semi-processed textile material, positioned between the raw fiber stage and the final yarn spinning stage. Customs authorities require this distinction because processed fibers often carry different duty rates and trade regulations compared to raw, unprocessed staple fibers.
- Covers
- Carded nylon staple fibers
- Combed polyamide staple fibers
- Nylon sliver for spinning
- Processed synthetic fibers for yarn production
- Polyamide tops (combed fibers)
- Also under 5506.10
- Invista CORDURA (nylon fibre)
- Ascend Performance Materials (nylon fibre)
- Aquafil ECONYL (recycled nylon fibre)
- Toray (nylon fibre)
Codes often confused with 5506.10
Common mistake. The primary misclassification occurs with HS code 5503.19, which is for nylon staple fibers that have NOT been carded or combed. Importers must verify the processing state of the fiber to choose between these two. Another common mistake is classifying these fibers under 5509, which is the heading for yarn made of synthetic staple fibers. If the fibers have been spun into a continuous strand, they are yarn (5509); if they are still in the form of a sliver or loose processed mass, they remain in 5506.10.
Top exporters and importers of HS 550610 (the code used for nylon staple fibers), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 550610 (the code used for nylon staple fibers) in UN Comtrade data was Senegal, with 51% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Senegal, with 46% 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 550610, not only nylon staple fibers.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 Senegal $39M 51% of world exports
- 2 Italy $9.0M 12% of world exports
- 3 United States $7.4M 9.6% of world exports
World total: $77M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 Senegal $45M 46% of world imports
- 2 Türkiye $7.4M 7.5% of world imports
- 3 Italy $7.0M 7.1% of world imports
World total: $97M 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 nylon staple fibers
Brazil classifies nylon staple fibers under NCM 5506.10.00: HS 5506.10 with 00 added.
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text on each NCM page is the official one.
Questions about nylon staple fibers
What is the HS code for Nylon staple fibers?
The HS code for Nylon staple fibers is 550610 (Fibres; synthetic staple fibres, of nylon or other polyamides, carded, combed or otherwise processed for spinning).
How do I classify Nylon staple fibers for customs?
Nylon staple fibers is classified under HS code 550610 — Fibres; synthetic staple fibres, of nylon or other polyamides, carded, combed or otherwise processed for spinning. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.
What is the HS code for processed nylon staple fibers?
The HS code for nylon staple fibers that have been carded, combed, or otherwise processed for spinning is 5506.10.
Why is carding important for HS classification?
Carding is a 'preparatory process' that changes the classification of the fiber from heading 5503 (raw) to 5506 (processed). It signifies that the material has moved further down the value chain toward becoming finished textile yarn.
Which countries are the top exporters of nylon staple fibers (HS 550610)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 550610 (the code used for nylon staple fibers) in UN Comtrade data were Senegal ($39M, 51% of world exports), Italy ($9.0M) and the United States ($7.4M). World exports came to about $77M, 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 nylon staple fibers (HS 550610)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 550610 (the code used for nylon staple fibers) in UN Comtrade data were Senegal ($45M, 46% of world imports), Türkiye ($7.4M) and Italy ($7.0M). World imports came to about $97M, 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 Nylon staple fibers the same in all countries?
The base HS code 550610 for Nylon staple fibers 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 nylon staple fibers in Brazil?
In Brazil, nylon staple fibers (HS 550610) is classified under NCM 5506.10.00.