0510.00.20.00 - Ambergris, castoreum, civet and musk

This HTS category, 0510.00.20.00, specifically covers valuable natural animal secretions and products primarily known for their use in perfumery and, historically, in traditional medicine. It encompasses ambergris, a waxy substance produced in the digestive system of sperm whales; castoreum, a secretion from the castor sacs of beavers; civet, a secretion from the perineal glands of civet cats; and musk, a secretion from the scent glands of male musk deer. These substances are highly prized for their unique olfactory properties and their ability to act as fixatives in fragrances.

This classification distinguishes itself from its sibling category, 0510.00.40 "Other," which is a residual classification for other animal glands and products not specifically listed elsewhere within heading 0510. While both fall under the broader heading of animal products for pharmaceutical or perfumery purposes, 0510.00.20.00 is exclusive to the aforementioned iconic natural scent materials.

As this is a leaf node within the HTS structure, there are no further subcategories to introduce. Therefore, classification within 0510.00.20.00 hinges on the accurate identification of the imported material as one of the specified substances: ambergris, castoreum, civet, or musk. The physical state of these materials (fresh, chilled, frozen, or otherwise provisionally preserved) is relevant to their handling but does not alter their classification under this specific code, provided they are identifiable as one of the covered substances.