In Nov 2025, PSF exports of China were 156,600 tons, up 29.1% year on year and 4.1% month on month, and imports were 5,200 tons, down 36.5% year on year and 46.8% month on month. From Jan to Nov, 2025, imports totaled 58,800 tons, a fall of 44.3% year on year, and exports amounted to 1.553 million tons, an increase of 29.5% year on year.

HS code 55032000 is synthetic staple fibers, of polyesters, not carded, including virgin PSF and recycled PSF. And the imports from Southeast Asia and Africa are mainly the recycled PSF. The following are the changes in recent years.

In China's PSF imports, the proportion of Southeast Asia climbed up, having reaching 50.2% in 2023, while in 2024, the proportion declined to 45.8%, down further to 35.3% during Jan and Nov 2025.

Since 2019, PSF import volumes from Southeast Asia have reduced. Though imports in 2023 recovered somewhat, the imports have reduced significantly compared to the peak time, like imports from Thailand and Vietnam, and imports from Indonesia also saw a reduction of 100,000 ton-level. In 2025, the import volumes from Southeast Asia are forecast to reduce by three-fourths compared to 2019.

In the import origins of PSF, Myanmar appeared in 2017, and the overall imports were not much. In 2019, one HC re-PSF production line in Hangzhou was moved to Myanmar, and has not started production till now. In 2020, imports declined sharply. In 2021, operation was unstable affected by the epidemic and Feb 1 coup, and the products mainly sold to Europe and the United States. Imports were only 378 tons in 2021, and since 2022, imports were zero.

Vietnam started to exert force in 2018. Following the solid waste ban, Chinese domestic plants moved to foreign countries gradually. Imports from Vietnam in 2018 soared and reached 30,567 tons in 2021. In 2022, imports shrank obviously, while recovered somewhat in 2023, to be 18,638 tons. In 2024-2025, imports continued to reduce sharply, and imports hit a new low to 3,138 tons in Jan-Nov, 2025.

Imports from Thailand were 45kt in 2019, and then reduced gradually. The imports put certain impact on Guangdong market. In 2022-2023, there were still new capacities, including HC re-PSF, hollow PSF and colored yarn. In 2023, imports reached 22,042 tons, and in 2024, imports were 19,754 tons, while in Jan-Nov 2025, imports hit a multi-year low of 4,793 tons.

China imported PSF from Cambodia for the first time in 2021, with a quantity of 1,261 tons, 664 tons in 2022, and zero since 2023.

The imports from Southeast Asia were the highest in 2019, at 98,390 tons, then imports shrank gradually, and in 2024, imports totaled 48,391 tons. In Jan-Nov, 2025, imports reached 20,775 tons.

The African market has gradually risen in recent years, especially in 2018-2019, some domestic production lines have also been transferred to Africa. Therefore, the exports to China has increased rapidly from 2019. Imports in 2020 have grown by 28%, mainly from South Africa and Nigeria, but in 2021 imports from South Africa shrank sharply affected by the riots, which caused disruptions of plant operation. Imports from Nigeria in Mar 2021 were good, reaching 2,728 tons. But the imports from Africa were zero in the fourth quarter of 2021. Affected by higher sea freight, freight from Africa to Europe was relatively lower, so sales were mainly to Europe and the United States, and China's imports reduced apparently. In 2022, there were only imports from Uganda of 455 tons, mostly to Europe. Recycled PSF capacities continue to expand in Africa benefited from the edge in sea freight to Europe and no high tax. There are new capacities in Ghana in 2022-2023. Due to the customer shift in 2021, imports of China were limited from 2022. In 2023, imports from Ghana were seen for the first time, and in the first half year of 2024, imports were acceptable, especially from Ghana. But in the second half year, imports were small. In 2024, imports totaled 8,013 tons. Imports were only 304 tons from Jan to Nov, 2025.

The virgin and recycled PSF markets are oversupplied apparently in China, and producers are mostly active to seek for exports. In 2025, China PSF exports rise largely, mainly benefited from the good exports of virgin PSF, and in 2026, exports are forecast to continue growing. But dragged down by weak demand, imports have shrunk apparently in the past years. Recycled PSF supply in overseas markets increases, and the competition for conventional recycled products to export is more intense. Chinese domestic sales face higher pressure.