5516.31.05 - Containing 36 percent or more by weight of wool or fine animal hair

This HTS category, 5516.31.05, specifically classifies woven fabrics of artificial staple fibers that contain 36 percent or more by weight of wool or fine animal hair. These fabrics are characterized by their composition, where artificial staple fibers are the dominant component, but a significant proportion of wool or fine animal hair is also present. The parent context indicates these fabrics are not solely composed of artificial staple fibers, and this specific sub-heading refines the classification based on the presence of wool or fine animal hair.

This category is distinguished from its sibling, 5516.31.10, which covers "Other" woven fabrics of artificial staple fibers within the same broader classification. The key differentiator for 5516.31.05 lies in the explicit requirement for a minimum 36% by weight of wool or fine animal hair. Therefore, fabrics meeting this specific wool/fine animal hair content threshold will be classified here, while other fabrics within the parent category that do not meet this threshold or fall under a different description would be directed to the sibling category.

Within this classification, two subcategories exist to further refine the classification: "Not combed" (5516.31.05.10) and "Combed" (5516.31.05.20). The distinction between these two subcategories hinges on whether the wool or fine animal hair component within the fabric has undergone a combing process. Combing is a process that removes short fibers and aligns longer fibers, resulting in a smoother and more refined yarn and ultimately a fabric with different tactile and visual characteristics. This further breakdown allows for more precise identification based on the processing of the wool or fine animal hair.