HTS Chapter 56: Wadding, felt and nonwovens; special yarns; twine, cordage, ropes
HTS Chapter 56 covers Wadding, felt and nonwovens; special yarns; twine, cordage, ropes. Browse 6 published headings, then narrow to the active product line that matches the goods.
2026 HTS Rev 19 Synced Rules verified Operational
Written to help non-specialists understand this page. Rates, dates, and legal facts come from the official records above and on the linked source.
HTS Chapter 56 covers certain textile materials and textile articles, especially wadding, flock, felt, nonwovens, rubber-covered or plastic-covered textile yarns, twine, cordage, ropes, cables, and some knotted or made-up nets. The product’s construction and materials usually matter more than its marketing name or intended use. For example, a nonwoven fabric may be classified differently from a woven fabric, and a rope may be treated differently from a textile article made from that rope.
The Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS) is organized from broad to specific: chapter, heading, subheading, and then the complete 10-digit statistical reporting number. Chapter 56 is the two-digit chapter; headings such as 5602 and 5603 identify broader product groups; further subheadings narrow the classification by factors such as fiber type, construction, coating, or use. To find the correct code, compare the product’s objective physical characteristics with the heading and subheading descriptions, apply the HTS classification rules and legal notes, and verify the complete 10-digit code in the current official HTS.
What to check
- Document the product’s fiber or material composition, construction, dimensions, coatings, laminations, coverings, and method of manufacture.
- Classify by the product’s physical characteristics before relying on its advertised use, trade name, or intended application.
- Check whether another HTS chapter or heading specifically covers the article, and review Chapter 56 notes and relevant exclusion notes.
- Distinguish among wadding, felt, nonwovens, yarn, twine, cordage, rope, cable, and made-up nets; small construction differences can change the subheading.
- After identifying the base HTS number, check the current tariff schedule for applicable Chapter 99 provisions, trade remedies, origin rules, and any documentation or broker-review requirements.
How to use this chapter
A chapter is the first classification level, not a duty rate. Choose the heading that describes the product, narrow by material, construction, use, or other legal distinctions, and verify the final line against the official HTS notes.
Heading list
| HTS code | Description | Linked 8-digit entries |
|---|---|---|
| 5601 | Wadding of textile materials and articles thereof; textile fibers, not exceeding 5 mm in length (flock), textile dust and mill neps: | 3 |
| 5602 | Felt, whether or not impregnated, coated, covered or laminated: | 0 |
| 5603 | Nonwovens, whether or not impregnated, coated, covered or laminated: | 6 |
| 5604 | Rubber thread and cord, textile covered; textile yarn, and strip and the like of heading 5404 or 5405, impregnated, coated, covered or sheathed with rubber or plastics: | 0 |
| 5607 | Twine, cordage, ropes and cables, whether or not plaited or braided and whether or not impregnated, coated, covered or sheathed with rubber or plastics: | 0 |
| 5608 | Knotted netting of twine, cordage or rope; made up fishing nets and other made up nets, of textile materials: | 1 |
Linked measures
0 linked measure entries in the current snapshot.
Questions about HTS Chapter 56
What does HTS Chapter 56 cover?
HTS Chapter 56 covers Wadding, felt and nonwovens; special yarns; twine, cordage, ropes. This page groups the chapter’s 4-digit headings; a shipment still needs the most specific active 8- or 10-digit line supported by the product facts.
Is HTS Chapter 56 a final product classification?
No. A chapter is a broad 2-digit category. Narrow it to the applicable heading and the most specific active statistical line before estimating duty or filing an entry.