HS Code 5516.21 : Containing less than 85 percent by weight of artificial staple fibers, mixed mainly or solely with man-made filaments, Unbleached or bleached
MODULE 2: EXTRACTABLE ANSWER (AEO / SPEAKABLE)
EN (Official WCO)
FR (Pending)
ES (Pending)
The 6-digit Harmonized System (HS) code for containing less than 85 percent by weight of artificial staple fibers, mixed mainly or solely with man-made filaments, unbleached or bleached is 5516.21. Under the 2026 Brazil (RFB / NCM), the representative MFN general duty rate is 26% [Receita Federal do Brasil (RFB / NCM)].
MODULE 3: SIGNATURE A: HS DECODE VISUAL HIERARCHY
Subheading .21
.21
Containing less than 85 percent by weight of artificial staple fibers, mixed mainly or solely with man-made filaments, Unbleached or bleached
MODULE 4: SIGNATURE B: TARIFF MATRIX
Import Duty Rates by Destination
Brazil (Receita Federal do Brasil / NCM Tariff 2026)
5516.21.00.00
MODULE 5: BRAZIL IMPORT DUTY & COMPOUND TAX BREAKDOWN
MERCOSUR COMMON EXTERNAL TARIFF (CET) PREFERENTIAL ELIGIBILITY
Qualifying originating goods from Mercosur member states (Argentina, Uruguay, Paraguay) satisfying rules of origin enter Brazil under 0% preferential tariffs with a valid Certificate of Origin.
Notice: Brazilian customs clearance, NCM classification, import duties (II), federal taxes (IPI, PIS/COFINS), and state ICMS are governed by Receita Federal do Brasil (RFB) and Portal Único Siscomex. Always verify declarable 8-digit NCM codes with RFB or a licensed Brazilian despachante alfandegário prior to import.
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MODULE 6: Mandatory Customs Entry Document Matrix
Rule-Derived Customs Entry Package Checklist
UNIVERSAL DOCUMENT
Commercial Invoice
Itemized description, currency, Incoterms, seller/buyer details, and country of origin.
UNIVERSAL DOCUMENT
Packing List & Bill of Lading
Gross/net weight, container/seal numbers, piece count, and transport B/L or Air Waybill.
PREFERENTIAL RULE
Certificate of Origin (If Claiming FTA)
Required only when claiming zero-duty preference under USMCA, KORUS, or GSP.
MODULE 7: Regulatory Compliance & Partner Government Agency (PGA) Flags
Standard Entry
This commodity does not carry mandatory PGA pre-clearance flags under the ACE message set.
MODULE 8: Trade Remedies (Section 301, Section 232, AD/CVD)
China Section 301 Tariff Status
0% Additional Duty (Exempt)
Section 232 Steel/Aluminum Status
Exempt (Non-Metal Commodity)
EU CBAM Carbon Alert
Not in Scope
MODULE 9: Free Trade Agreements (FTA) & Rules of Origin (RoO)
| Agreement Code | Trade Agreement / Program | Preferential Rate | Rules of Origin (RoO) Requirement |
|---|---|---|---|
| P | United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) | Free | Must meet USMCA Regional Value Content (RVC) or tariff shift rules. |
| KR | U.S.-Korea Free Trade Agreement (KORUS) | Free | Direct shipment from South Korea with KORUS Certificate of Origin. |
| AU | U.S.-Australia Free Trade Agreement | Free | Wholly obtained or tariff shift rule under US-Australia FTA. |
| A / D | GSP / African Growth & Opportunity Act (AGOA) | Free | 35% local value-add requirement for beneficiary country origin. |
MODULE 10: Logistics, Freight & Transport Specifications
Standard 20ft Container
~28 CBM / 28,000 kg Payload
Standard 40ft High-Cube
~68 CBM / 28,600 kg Payload
Stowage Factor & Handling
Standard commercial packaging for Containing less than 85 percent by weight of artificial staple fibers, mixed mainly or solely with man-made filaments, Unbleached or bleached
MODULE 11: RFB Solução de Consulta (NCM Classification)
Legally binding tariff classification rulings issued by Receita Federal do Brasil (RFB) for HS 5516.21.
Query official RFB Solução de Consulta database:
Search Official RFB Portal for 5516.21 →RFB NCM 8-Digit Commodity Lines (5516.21)
National line-level (8/10-digit) detail for Brazil (RFB / NCM): coverage in progress.
Universal 6-digit WCO backbone applied rate: 26%. Confirm the full national commodity code at the official source (Receita Federal do Brasil (RFB / NCM)).
MODULE 12: Candidate Subheadings & Related Codes
| Related HS Code | Heading Category | Action |
|---|---|---|
| 5516.11 | Subheading under Heading 5516 | Compare Subheading 5516.11 → |
| 5516.12 | Subheading under Heading 5516 | Compare Subheading 5516.12 → |
| 5516.13 | Subheading under Heading 5516 | Compare Subheading 5516.13 → |
| 5516.14 | Subheading under Heading 5516 | Compare Subheading 5516.14 → |
| 5516.22 | Subheading under Heading 5516 | Compare Subheading 5516.22 → |
| 5516.23 | Subheading under Heading 5516 | Compare Subheading 5516.23 → |
| 5516.24 | Subheading under Heading 5516 | Compare Subheading 5516.24 → |
| 5516.31 | Subheading under Heading 5516 | Compare Subheading 5516.31 → |
Official Primary Sources & Authority References
Receita Federal do Brasil (RFB / Siscomex) ↗
Official Brazilian 8-digit NCM tariff items and RFB MFN import duty (II) rates.
RFB Solução de Consulta (COSIT / NCM Classification) ↗
Receita Federal official binding tariff classification rulings database.
MODULE 14: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) & Operational Guide
What is the 6-digit WCO tariff classification and Brazil (RFB / NCM) general duty for Containing less than 85 percent by weight of artificial staple fibers, mixed mainly or solely with man-made filaments, Unbleached or bleached?
Under WCO Harmonized System 2022 and Brazil (RFB / NCM), Containing less than 85 percent by weight of artificial staple fibers, mixed mainly or solely with man-made filaments, Unbleached or bleached is classified under HS 5516.21 (Heading 5516, Chapter 55). The representative BR MFN general duty rate is 26%.
How is HS 5516.21 distinguished within Heading 5516 (Woven fabrics of artificial staple fibers)?
Heading 5516 covers Woven fabrics of artificial staple fibers. Subheading 5516.21 specifically isolates Containing less than 85 percent by weight of artificial staple fibers, mixed mainly or solely with man-made filaments, Unbleached or bleached. Importers must verify whether physical characteristics, processing state, or composition require alternative subheadings under Heading 5516.
What are the primary candidate subheadings related to HS 5516.21?
Related subheadings under Heading 5516 include 5516.11, 5516.12, 5516.13, 5516.14, 5516.22, 5516.23, 5516.24, 5516.31. Classification depends on processing stage, decaffeination, purity, or material form.
What mandatory commercial entry documents are required to import Containing less than 85 percent by weight of artificial staple fibers, mixed mainly or solely with man-made filaments, Unbleached or bleached?
Commercial Invoice (detailing Incoterms, currency, and origin), Packing List, Bill of Lading (or Air Waybill), CBP Form 7501 Entry Summary, and a continuous customs bond are required for formal entries.
Can goods under HS 5516.21 enter duty-free under USMCA or Free Trade Agreements?
Yes. Eligible goods originating in Mexico, Canada, South Korea, or Australia enter duty-free under preference SPI codes (P, KR, AU) provided they satisfy Regional Value Content (RVC) or tariff-shift rules with a valid Certificate of Origin.
What is the US formal entry threshold for shipments of Containing less than 85 percent by weight of artificial staple fibers, mixed mainly or solely with man-made filaments, Unbleached or bleached?
Commercial shipments of Containing less than 85 percent by weight of artificial staple fibers, mixed mainly or solely with man-made filaments, Unbleached or bleached with a customs value exceeding $2,500 USD require formal customs entry (CBP Form 7501) and a continuous entry bond. Informal entry applies to lower values.
How can an importer obtain a binding CBP classification ruling for HS 5516.21?
Importers may submit an e-Ruling request under 19 CFR Part 177 to CBP National Commodity Specialist Division (NCSD) to obtain a legally binding tariff classification ruling prior to importation.
Does Brazil assess a single import VAT on HS 5516.21?
No. Brazil does not assess a single VAT; imports incur a compound tax stack: II (Import Duty, shown as headline MFN rate) + IPI (federal excise) + PIS/COFINS-Importação + ICMS (state tax ~17%–18%).
What is Brazil's de minimis threshold for express parcel imports?
Under the Remessa Conforme program, compliant e-commerce shipments valued up to US$50 enter free of II (Import Duty), though ICMS state tax still applies.
Which agency regulates customs entry and tariff classification in Brazil?
Customs declarations, NCM 8-digit tariff items, and binding Solução de Consulta rulings are administered by Receita Federal do Brasil (RFB) and Portal Único Siscomex under the Mercosur Common External Tariff (CET).
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