HS 551020 Other yarn, mixed mainly or solely with wool or fine animal hair

Quick Answer: Yarn made from synthetic staple fibres, mixed mainly or solely with wool or fine animal hair, imported under HS 551020 enters the UK at 0.00%, the EU at 4.00% ad valorem, and the US at rates varying from Free to 81% depending on the country of origin. This classification covers yarns spun from man-made staple fibres, such as polyester or acrylic, when they are predominantly blended with wool or other fine animal hair like cashmere or mohair. Importers should be aware of the significant duty rate disparities across major markets, necessitating careful consideration of sourcing and destination for optimal trade compliance. CustomTariffs aggregates this data to assist in planning.

What Are the Import Duty Rates?

🇬🇧 United Kingdom

Code MFN Preferential Unit
5510200000 0.00 % — —

🇪🇺 European Union (TARIC)

Code MFN Preferential Unit
5510200000 4.00 % — —

🇺🇸 United States (HTSUS)

Code MFN Preferential Unit
5510200000 10.2% Free (14 programs) ["kg"]

Special rates available under trade agreements including USMCA, KORUS, GSP.

Duty rates sourced from the USITC (US International Trade Commission) Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS) (accessed 2/22/2026), EU TARIC – DG TAXUD (Directorate-General for Taxation and Customs Union) (accessed 2/22/2026), and UK Trade Tariff – HMRC (His Majesty's Revenue and Customs) (accessed 2/22/2026).

Data compiled and presented by HSRates.

Which Trade Agreements Reduce Duties for HS 5510.20?

Imports of Other yarn, mixed mainly or solely with wool or fine animal hair may qualify for reduced or zero duty rates under free trade agreements and preferential programs. The overview below shows available preferential arrangements by jurisdiction, compiled by HSRates from official tariff and trade agreement data.

United States (HTSUS)

Free for USMCA, KORUS, and 12 other programs

European Union (TARIC)

Preferential rate data not yet available.

United Kingdom

Preferential rate data not yet available.

Preferential rates require proof of origin and may be subject to quotas or conditions. Always verify eligibility with a licensed customs broker.

Data compiled by HSRates.

Which Preferential Rates Apply to Your Origin Country?

Select an origin country to see if preferential rates apply.

Preferential rates based on available trade agreements. Actual rates may vary.

How to Classify This HS Code?

```html

What products does HS 551020 cover?

This subheading covers yarns made from synthetic staple fibres or man-made staple fibres, where the yarn is mixed mainly or solely with wool or fine animal hair. According to the WCO Harmonized System Nomenclature, this classification hinges on the predominant fibre content being synthetic or man-made, with wool or fine animal hair comprising the significant or sole other component. For instance, a yarn composed of 70% acrylic staple fibre and 30% merino wool would fall under this category, as per the definitions found in the USITC Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS) and the EU's TARIC database.

What falls outside HS 551020?

The following products are excluded from HS 551020: yarns composed primarily of wool or fine animal hair, even if they contain a small percentage of synthetic or man-made fibres, as these would be classified under Chapter 51. Additionally, yarns made exclusively from synthetic or man-made staple fibres without any wool or fine animal hair content are classified under other subheadings within heading 5510. For example, a 100% polyester staple fibre yarn or a yarn with 90% cotton and 10% acrylic would not be classified here.

What are common classification mistakes for HS 551020?

A common error is misinterpreting the "mainly or solely" clause regarding wool or fine animal hair content. Importers may incorrectly classify yarns where synthetic or man-made fibres are the predominant component, even if a small amount of wool is present. According to General Rule of Interpretation (GRI) 3(b) of the Harmonized System, when goods are classifiable by virtue of being mixed, the classification is determined by the essential character of the goods, which is often determined by the fibre that predominates by weight. For example, a yarn that is 60% polyester and 40% wool would not be classified here.

How should importers classify products under HS 551020?

The correct procedure for classifying products under HS 551020 involves a detailed analysis of the fibre composition. Importers and customs brokers must obtain precise fibre content percentages by weight from the manufacturer's specifications. The primary fibre type (synthetic or man-made staple fibre) and the percentage of wool or fine animal hair must be determined. If the yarn is predominantly synthetic or man-made staple fibre and contains wool or fine animal hair, then HS 551020 is the appropriate classification, provided no other heading more specifically describes the goods.

How is the duty calculated for products under HS 551020?

A 100 kg shipment of acrylic staple fibre yarn blended with 30% merino wool, declared at a customs value of $500 USD, would attract a US duty of $350.00. This is calculated using the USITC Harmonized Tariff Schedule's Most Favored Nation (MFN) rate of 3.5% ad valorem, applied to the declared value ($500 USD × 0.035 = $17.50), and an additional specific duty of $3.32 per kilogram ($3.32/kg × 100 kg = $332.00), resulting in a total duty of $349.50. (Note: This example uses hypothetical rates for illustrative purposes, actual rates must be verified.)

Which trade agreements reduce duties for HS 551020?

Several free trade agreements may reduce the applicable duty rate for HS 551020, including the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), which can result in a duty rate of Free for qualifying goods originating from Canada or Mexico. Additionally, the Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) may offer reduced or Free duty rates for eligible goods from developing countries. To claim preferential treatment under USMCA, a self-certified origin statement is typically required. For GSP, a GSP Form A is generally needed, depending on the importing country's specific requirements.

```

Which HS Codes Are Related?

HS 551030 HS 551090 HS 551513 HS 551522 HS 550952 HS 551012

Not the right code? Search all HS codes to find the correct tariff classification.

FAQ

What are the typical import duty rates for HS code 551020, 'Other yarn, mixed mainly or solely with wool or fine animal hair'?

The Most Favored Nation (MFN) duty rate for HS code 551020 can vary significantly by country. For example, the United States applies a 3.5% ad valorem duty. The European Union, under the TARIC system, may have rates ranging from 0.00% to 10.2% depending on specific subheadings and origin. The UK Trade Tariff also shows varying rates. It is crucial to consult the specific tariff schedule of the importing country for the exact rate applicable to your shipment.

How is the 'mainly or solely' criterion determined for HS code 551020?

The 'mainly or solely' criterion refers to the fiber content by weight. For a yarn to be classified under HS code 551020, it must be primarily composed of man-made staple fibers (as defined in Chapter 55 of the Harmonized System) and mixed either mainly (more than 50% by weight) or solely (100%) with wool or fine animal hair (e.g., cashmere, mohair, alpaca). If the wool or fine animal hair content exceeds 50% by weight, the yarn would typically be classified under Chapter 51.

What preferential duty rates are available for HS code 551020 under trade agreements?

Many trade agreements offer preferential duty rates for goods classified under HS code 551020. For instance, under the USMCA (United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement), originating goods may receive duty-free treatment. Other agreements, such as those with Australia (AU), Bahrain (BH), Chile (CL), Colombia (CO), Israel (IL), Jordan (JO), South Korea (KR), Morocco (MA), Oman (OM), Peru (PE), Singapore (SG), and others, may also provide duty-free entry or reduced rates, as indicated by 'Free (AU,BH, CL,CO,IL,JO,KR, MA,OM,P, PA,PE,S,SG)' in some tariff schedules. Importers must ensure their goods meet the rules of origin for the specific trade agreement to claim these benefits.

Can you provide an example of how import duty is calculated for HS code 551020?

Let's assume a shipment of yarn classified under HS code 551020 is imported into the United States, which has an MFN duty rate of 3.5% ad valorem. If the declared value of the yarn is $10,000 USD, the import duty would be calculated as follows: Duty = Value × Duty Rate = $10,000 USD × 3.5% = $350 USD. If the tariff also included a specific duty, such as $0.50 per kilogram, and the shipment weighed 500 kilograms, an additional specific duty of $250 USD (500 kg × $0.50/kg) would apply, and the total duty would be the higher of the two or a combination, depending on the tariff's structure.

What documentation is typically required for importing yarn classified under HS code 551020?

Standard import documentation for HS code 551020 usually includes a commercial invoice detailing the value, quantity, and description of the goods; a packing list; and a bill of lading or air waybill. Crucially, to claim preferential duty rates under trade agreements, a Certificate of Origin or a declaration of origin meeting the specific requirements of the relevant trade agreement is mandatory. For certain origins or specific fiber compositions, additional declarations regarding fiber content might be requested by customs authorities to verify classification.