HS Code:
Acrylic fiber tow containing 85% or more by weight of acrylonitrile units and 2% to 3% water, raw white (undyed), crimped, with an average decitex of 3.3 (plus or minus 10%) and an aggregate filament measure in the tow bundle between 660,000 and 1,200,000 decitex, with a length greater than 2 meters, falls under HS Code 5501.30.00. This product is a synthetic fiber primarily used in the textile industry for the production of clothing, blankets, and carpets due to its wool-like texture, durability, and resistance to sunlight and chemicals. It serves as a precursor material that can be further processed into spun yarn or other textile products.
Total Trade Volume
Approximately 250,000 metric tons
Data from 2022
Source
International Trade Centre (ITC) Trade Map and UN Comtrade
90,000 metric tons
36% of global trade of total trade
Increasing
40,000 metric tons
16% of global trade of total trade
Stable
30,000 metric tons
12% of global trade of total trade
Decreasing
25,000 metric tons
10% of global trade of total trade
Increasing
20,000 metric tons
8% of global trade of total trade
Stable
Average Rate
6.5% ad valorem
Highest Rate
12% (applied by certain developing countries)
Lowest Rate
0% (under free trade agreements like EU-Japan EPA or USMCA)
Shift toward sustainable alternatives
Growing demand for eco-friendly fibers like recycled acrylic or bio-based alternatives is pressuring traditional acrylic fiber tow markets, leading to a slight decline in demand in developed economies.
2021-2023
Increased production in Asia-Pacific
Lower production costs and high demand for textiles in Asia-Pacific, particularly in China and India, have driven a significant increase in acrylic fiber tow manufacturing and export from the region.
2020-2022
Technological advancements in fiber processing
Innovations in crimping and dyeing technologies have improved the quality and versatility of acrylic fiber tow, boosting its appeal in high-end textile applications.
2022
The European Union introduced provisional anti-dumping duties ranging from 8% to 12% on acrylic fiber tow imports from China to protect domestic producers from unfairly priced imports.
March 2023
This measure is expected to reduce Chinese market share in the EU, potentially benefiting producers from other regions like Japan and South Korea.
Major Chinese manufacturers announced plans to increase production capacity by 15% to meet rising domestic and international demand for affordable synthetic fibers.
July 2022
This expansion may further solidify China's dominance in the global market but could lead to oversupply and price reductions.
Under the US-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), tariffs on acrylic fiber tow were reduced to 0% for intra-regional trade, boosting exports from the US to Canada and Mexico.
January 2023
This development has strengthened North American trade ties and increased competitiveness against Asian imports.