HS Codes Chapter 55 — Man-Made Staple Fibres
HS Chapter 55 covers man-made staple fibres — polyester staple fibre, acrylic, viscose, nylon and cotton/polyester blends. For South African importers and exporters clearing through SARS, this chapter sits at the heart of everyday customs work at OR Tambo, Cape Town Container Terminal and Durban Harbour.
Every consignment under Chapter 55 must be declared on a SAD500 using the correct 8-digit tariff heading. The duty rate, rebates and any import permits all follow from that classification. A wrong tariff heading is the single most common reason a Chapter 55 shipment is held at the port of entry.
JLog runs a Cape Town-based customs clearing service for Chapter 55 goods. JLog handles customs clearance — we prepare the SAD500 and clear on the same day the manifest cuts off. Whether you are importing a one-off sample or running a regular container programme, we keep the classification defensible, the duty correct and the warehouse door open.
Browse the most-requested HS codes in Chapter 55 below, or request a quote for clearing your next consignment.
Top HS codes in Chapter 55
- 5513.12 — Woven fabrics of synthetic staple fibres, containing less than 85 p…
- 5501.11 — Synthetic filament tow: Of aramids
- 5508.20 — Sewing thread of man-made staple fibres, whether or not put up for …
- 5513.21 — Woven fabrics of synthetic staple fibres, containing less than 85 p…
- 5501.19 — Synthetic filament tow: Other
- 5501.20 — Synthetic filament tow: Of polyesters
- 5501.30 — Synthetic filament tow: Acrylic or modacrylic
- 5501.40 — Synthetic filament tow: Of polypropylene
- 5501.90 — Synthetic filament tow: Other
- 5502.10 — Artificial filament tow: Of cellulose acetate
- 5502.90 — Artificial filament tow: Other
- 5503.11 — Synthetic staple fibres, not carded, combed or otherwise processed …
- 5503.19 — Synthetic staple fibres, not carded, combed or otherwise processed …
- 5503.20 — Synthetic staple fibres, not carded, combed or otherwise processed …
- 5503.30 — Synthetic staple fibres, not carded, combed or otherwise processed …
- 5503.40 — Synthetic staple fibres, not carded, combed or otherwise processed …
- 5503.90 — Synthetic staple fibres, not carded, combed or otherwise processed …
- 5504.10 — Artificial staple fibres, not carded, combed or otherwise processed…
- 5504.90 — Artificial staple fibres, not carded, combed or otherwise processed…
- 5505.10 — Of synthetic fibres
JLog handles Man-Made Staple Fibres consignment clearance daily at ACS, OR Tambo and CTCT. Get a clearing quote
Related chapters
What Is HS Chapter 55?
HS Chapter 55 covers man-made staple fibres and yarn from synthetic and artificial fibres under the South African Harmonised Tariff Schedule. SARS uses these codes to classify polyester staple, nylon staple, acrylic fibre, viscose staple and non-woven fabric for all import and export customs declarations.
Common Chapter 55 HS Codes
Use the JLog HS Code Directory to find the specific code for your product. Each code includes the current import duty rate, VAT treatment, and customs notes.
Import Duty and VAT for HS Chapter 55
Goods in HS Chapter 55 are subject to South African import duty plus 15% VAT on the ATV (FOB customs value + 10% uplift for non-SACU origin + non-rebated duty). Duty rates vary by subheading — check the individual HS code pages or contact JLog for a landed cost calculation.
Importing Chapter 55 Goods into South Africa
To import polyester staple, nylon staple, acrylic fibre, viscose staple and non-woven fabric into South Africa, you must be registered with SARS as an importer. All goods must be declared on a SAD500 customs declaration. JLog’s TradeReady service handles SARS importer registration, and our customs clearance team manages all SARS submissions.
Shipping Chapter 55 Goods with JLog
JLog handles the full import and export process for goods in HS Chapter 55 — from freight quotes and carrier booking to customs clearance, SARS submission management, and delivery to your door.
Contact JLog: [email protected] | 021 300 6099
Frequently Asked Questions
What duty applies to man-made staple fibres and yarn from synthetic and artificial fibres?
Duty rates vary by subheading within HS Chapter 55. Use the HS code search above to find the specific rate, or contact JLog for a customs classification consultation.
Do I need a permit to import polyester staple, nylon staple, acrylic fibre, viscose staple and non-woven fabric?
Permit and compliance requirements vary by HS subheading and end-use within Chapter 55. Some lines may require ITAC import permits, product compliance certificates or origin certificates to claim a preferential rate. Check the individual HS code page or contact JLog for a per-product check.
Can JLog clear polyester staple, nylon staple, acrylic fibre, viscose staple and non-woven fabric through SARS for me?
Yes. JLog provides full customs clearance for all goods in HS Chapter 55, including document preparation, SARS submission, and query management. Contact us for a quote.
Related JLog Services
- Customs Clearance South Africa — Full SARS clearance service
- ClearSA — Real-time customs monitoring platform
- TradeReady — SARS importer/exporter registration
- HS Code Directory — Browse all South African tariff codes
Last updated: 2026. Source: SARS Harmonised Tariff Schedule.