WCO Explanatory Notes reproduced for reference. © World Customs Organization. Verify against official WCO publication.
55.01 Synthetic fdament tow. 550 1.10 - Of nylon or other polyamides - Of polyesters 550 1.30 - Acrylic or modacrylic 5501.40 - Ofpolypropylene 5501.90 - Other 5501.20 This heading covers synthetic filament tow produced as described in the General Explanatory Note to this Chapter, only if it meets the following specifications (see also Chapter Note 1) : (A) The tow must exceed 2 m in length. (B) The tow must be untwisted or be twisted less than 5 turns per metre. (C) Each filament must measure less than 67 decitex. (D) The tow must have been drawn, i.e., it must be incapable of being stretched by more than 100 % of its length. (E) The total measurement of the tow must exceed 20,000 decitex. The requirement under aragraph (D) is designed to ensure that the tow is in a state read for conversion into staple f73 1 res. After extrusion synthetic filaments are insyfficiently oriente and must be drawn in order to effect orientation of their molecules and ive them their required properties. Drawn tow still retains a certain elasticity but normally bre& on being stretched by considerably less than 100 % of its len . On the other hand, undrawn tow can be stretched to between three and four times its length efore it breaks. B $" Tow of this heading is generally used for the manufacture of yam of synthetic staple fibres either by being : (1) Cut into staple fibres and then converted into slivers, rovings and yarn by processes generally similar to those used for cotton or wool; or (2) Converted into tops by the " tow-to-top " process (see Explanatory Note to heading 55.06) and subsequently mto yams. The heading does not cover : (a) Assemblies of synthetic filaments satisfyrng conditions (A), (B) and (C) above of a total measurement not exceeding 20,000 decitex or whatever the total measurement in the case of undrawn filaments (heading 54.02). (b) Assemblies of synthetic filaments (each filament measuring 67 decitex or more) untwisted or twisted less than 5 turns per metre, whether or not drawn and whatever the total measurement (heading 54.04 if no cross-sectional dimension of the individual filaments exceeds 1 mrn or Chapter 39 otherwise). (c) Synthetic filament tow satisfying conditions (B) and (C) above, but of a length not exceeding 2 m, whether or not drawn and whatever the total measurement (heading 55.03).
1.- Headings 55.01 and 55.02 apply only to man-made filament tow, consisting of parallel filaments of a uniform length equal to the length of the tow, meeting the following specifications : (a) Length of tow exceeding 2 m; (b) Twist less than 5 turns per metre; (c) Measuring per filament less than 67 decitex; (d) Synthetic filament tow only : the tow must be drawn, that is to say, be incapable of being stretched by more than 100 % of its length; (e) Total measurement of tow more than 20,000 decitex. Tow of a length not exceeding 2 m is to be classified in heading 55.03 or 55.04.