0201.20.10.00 - High-quality beef cuts

This HTS category, 0201.20.10.00, specifically covers high-quality beef cuts that are fresh or chilled, and presented with the bone still in. The key defining characteristic here is the "high-quality" aspect, which is further elaborated upon by Additional U.S. Note 3 to Chapter 2. This note provides specific criteria for identifying these premium cuts, often related to marbling, tenderness, and overall grading standards. Therefore, imported beef classified under this heading must meet these enumerated quality standards.

The distinction between this category and its sibling, 0201.20.30.00 ("Other"), lies precisely in the quality designation. While 0201.20.30.00 encompasses all other fresh or chilled beef cuts with bone in that do not meet the specific high-quality criteria outlined in the additional U.S. note, 0201.20.10.00 is reserved for those that explicitly do. This means that the processing and grading of the beef are crucial factors in determining correct classification between these two codes.

As a leaf node, this category has no further subcategories. Classification terminates at this level, meaning that once beef is determined to be high-quality, fresh or chilled, with bone in, and meets the specific requirements of Additional U.S. Note 3, it falls directly under 0201.20.10.00. Importers must ensure they have documentation or understanding of the grading system that confirms the beef's premium status to correctly classify it here.