5511 - Yarn (other than sewing thread) of man-made staple fibers, put up for retail sale:

HTS code 5511 encompasses yarns, excluding sewing thread, manufactured from man-made staple fibers and presented for retail sale. This classification specifically targets yarns that are ready for direct use by consumers or in small-scale craft applications, as opposed to industrial yarns which fall under different HTS headings. The key characteristics for classification under 5511 are the use of man-made staple fibers (synthetic or artificial) and the retail packaging format.

This category is distinguished from other chapters within Section XI by its focus on spun yarns rather than woven fabrics, knit materials, or finished textile articles. While Chapter 55 broadly deals with man-made staple fibers, 5511 narrows the scope to those fibers spun into yarn and then prepared for direct sale to end-users, such as in skeins, balls, or hanks. It is crucial to differentiate these retail-ready yarns from bulk industrial yarns which might be used in large-scale manufacturing.

The subcategories within 5511 further refine the classification based on the type of man-made staple fiber. 5511.10 and 5511.20 distinguish between yarns of synthetic staple fibers, with the former specifying those containing 85% or more synthetic fibers by weight and the latter covering those with less than 85%. 5511.30 addresses yarns made from artificial staple fibers. This breakdown allows for more precise tariff application based on the fiber composition of the yarn.