Wadding, felt and nonwovens, special… (chapter 56): which countries import it
Chapter 56 covers technical textiles: wadding, felt, nonwovens, specialty yarns and cordage. The US, Germany and Mexico are the largest importers. As a…
Published on 27 September 2026Updated on 27 September 2026
Chapter 56 covers technical textiles: wadding, felt, nonwovens, specialty yarns and cordage. The US, Germany and Mexico are the largest importers. As a Spanish exporter, you compete in a market where tariffs vary by subheading and destination, and compliance depends on the end use and destination regulations.
Fact sheet
- Code
- 56
- Sector
- Fashion and Textiles
Main importing markets
USD · 2025| Country | Imports (USD) |
|---|---|
| United States | 3,008,253,610 |
| Germany | 2,029,661,059 |
| Mexico | 1,268,762,917 |
| China | 1,119,959,660 |
| Japan | 1,106,678,505 |
| Italy | 1,030,840,257 |
| France | 971,440,902 |
| United Kingdom | 938,470,299 |
| Canada | 816,971,323 |
| Poland | 804,838,232 |
| South Korea | 687,428,651 |
| Netherlands | 685,678,443 |
| Czechia | 635,342,047 |
| Indonesia | 621,871,237 |
| Spain | 600,064,619 |
Imports declared by each country from the world. Countries report with a delay: the period is the latest with consolidated data.
Source: UN ComtradeData for 2025Verified on 27 September 2026
Headings in this chapter
- Wadding of textile materials and articles thereof; textile fibres, not exceeding 5 mm in length (flock), textile dust and mill nepsHeading 5601
- Felt; whether or not impregnated, coated, covered or laminatedHeading 5602
- Nonwovens; whether or not impregnated, coated, covered or laminatedHeading 5603
- Rubber thread and cord, textile covered; textile yarn and strip and the like of heading no. 5404, 5405; impregnated, coated, covered or sheathed with rubber or plasticsHeading 5604
- Yarn; metallised, whether or not gimped, of textile yarn, or strip or the like of heading no. 5404 or 5405, combined with metal in the form of thread, strip or powder or covered with metalHeading 5605
- Yarn and strip and the like of heading no. 5404 or 5405, gimped (other than those of heading no. 5606 and gimped horsehair yarn); chenille yarn (including flock chenille yarn); loop wale-yarnHeading 5606
- Twine, cordage, ropes and cables, whether or not plaited or braided; whether or not impregnated, coated, covered or sheathed with rubber or plasticsHeading 5607
- Twine, cordage or rope; knotted netting, made up fishing nets and other made up nets, of textile materialsHeading 5608
- Articles of yarn, strip or the like of heading no. 5404 or 5405; twine, cordage, rope or cables n.e.c. or includedHeading 5609
Trade fairs in this sector
- LINEAPELLE
- MICAM Milano
- MOMAD, Salón Internacional de Moda, Calzado y Accesorios
- Pitti Immagine Uomo
- Première Vision Paris
- Techtextil
- Texworld Apparel Sourcing Paris
What to check before you export
Chapter 56 is a technical textiles chapter: most products are not fashion items but industrial inputs. That changes your buyer profile—you're selling to textile mills, rope manufacturers, nonwoven producers, and industrial distributors, not retail brands.
Your tariff depends on two things: the exact subheading under this chapter and the destination country's agreement with Spain. The same cordage faces different duties in the US, Mexico, or Japan. Check the applicable rate on Access2Markets by entering your HS code and destination; that tool applies current trade agreements.
The US and Germany together account for almost 40% of global imports in this chapter. But your real competition is not the country you ship to: it's whether your price, lead time and minimum order meet each importer's needs. Review the main markets table, then research specific importers in your target country using B2B databases.
Quality and certification requirements are product-specific. Nonwovens for medical use face different rules than cordage for general industrial use. Before you quote, ask the buyer what standards or certifications they require—ISO, OEKO-TEX, FDA, REACH—and confirm you can meet them or the lead time and cost to do so.
Logistics matter more here than in fashion. Cordage and felt are heavy and voluminous. Calculate freight as a percentage of your price early: a shipment to the US costs differently per kilo than one to Germany or Mexico. Factor in packaging and incoterms carefully.
Questions about exporting Chapter 56
How do I know which tariff applies to my product?
Chapter 56 has nine headings, each with multiple subheadings. Your product's exact HS code determines its base tariff. Then, the destination country applies that rate or a reduced rate depending on trade agreements—most destinations have an agreement with Spain via the EU. Enter your HS code and destination country in Access2Markets to see the applied rate, any quota, and any conditions.
Do I need certifications to export to the US or Germany?
It depends on what the product is used for. Nonwovens for medical devices, filtration, or healthcare applications face FDA or CE requirements. Cordage for certain industrial uses may need fire or safety certifications. Contact your target importer and ask what standards they require. If you don't already hold them, factor compliance time and cost into your lead time before quoting.
Is minimum order size a barrier in this market?
For industrial textiles, yes—more than for fashion. Many importers and mills need 500 kg to several tons per order. Your production capacity and warehouse space matter. If your typical batch is smaller, consider partnering with a distributor or consolidator who buys in bulk and resells smaller volumes.
Which market should I target first—US, Germany, or Mexico?
That depends on your product, your language and logistics capacity, and your production volume. The US is the largest buyer but tariffs and shipping are higher. Germany is closer and the EU removes tariff barriers, but competition from other European mills is intense. Mexico has lower tariffs via USMCA but a smaller buyer base. Research 3–5 importers in each market before deciding where to start.
Bring this analysis to your product
Create your free account: Exporta.ai reads your website, detects your HS code and tells you which markets to export to, with official data.