9902.13.20 - Acrylic staple fibers (polyacrylonitrile staple), not dyed and not carded, combed or otherwise processed for spinning, containing by weight 92 percent or more of polyacrylonitrile, not more than 0.01 percent of zinc and 2 percent or more but not over 8 percent of water, with a decitex of 5.0 to 5.6 , with a fiber shrinkage of 0 to 22 percent and with a cut fiber length of 80 mm to 150 mm (provided for in subheading 5503.30.00)

This HTS classification, 9902.13.20, specifically addresses acrylic staple fibers characterized by a high polyacrylonitrile content (92% or more), minimal zinc (not exceeding 0.01%), and a specific water content (2% to 8%). These fibers are further defined by their physical properties, including a decitex range of 5.0 to 5.6, a fiber shrinkage of 0% to 22%, and a cut fiber length between 80 mm and 150 mm. Crucially, these fibers are in a raw state, meaning they are not dyed and have not undergone carding, combing, or other processing steps preparatory to spinning. The "provided for in subheading 5503.30.00" notation indicates their primary classification under the general heading for synthetic staple fibers.

As a temporary legislation category within Chapter 99, this classification serves a distinct purpose compared to the broad, product-based categories found in the earlier chapters of the HTS. While siblings in Chapter 99 might address other temporary trade measures or restrictions, 9902.13.20 is highly specific to these particular acrylic staple fibers due to their precise technical specifications. Its existence here suggests a targeted trade policy or temporary modification affecting this specific type of textile raw material, differentiating it from other raw textile fibers or finished textile products classified elsewhere in the HTS.

This node is a leaf node, meaning it does not have further subdivisions. Therefore, the classification criteria outlined in the description – chemical composition, physical properties like decitex, shrinkage, and length, and the processing state (undied, unprocessed for spinning) – are the definitive factors for classifying goods under this provision. Importers and exporters must ensure their merchandise precisely matches all these enumerated characteristics to qualify for this specific HTS code.