5502 - Artificial filament tow:

This HTS category, 5502, encompasses artificial filament tow. Tow refers to a large, untwisted rope-like mass of continuous filaments, typically intended for further processing into staple fibers or other textile forms. These filaments are not spun into yarn but are presented in a loose, tow-like state. The key characteristic is that they are manufactured from man-made materials, as indicated by the parent chapter 55, which deals with man-made staple fibers.

Unlike its sibling categories which cover a diverse range of live animals and other goods at the root level of the HTS, code 5502 is specifically situated within Chapter 55 of Section XI, dedicated to textiles. This ensures it is distinct from categories like Chapter 01, which deals with live animals, or other sections of the HTS pertaining to different types of goods. Within Chapter 55, this category focuses on the precursor form of man-made filaments before they are typically cut into staple lengths (covered elsewhere in Chapter 55) or spun into yarn.

Category 5502 is further subdivided to account for the specific cellulosic origin of the artificial filaments. The primary subheading, 5502.10.00.00, classifies tow derived from cellulose acetate, a common regenerated cellulosic material used in textile production. The residual category, 5502.90.00.00, accounts for all other artificial filament tow not specifically enumerated in the cellulose acetate subheading, encompassing tow made from other artificial cellulosic materials or non-cellulosic synthetic polymers presented in tow form.