0709.40 - Celery other than celeriac:

This category encompasses celery, a common vegetable valued for its crisp stalks and aromatic leaves. It is distinct from celeriac (celery root), which is classified separately under 0709.90, due to its significantly different edible portion and culinary uses. Celery classified here is fresh or chilled and intended for direct consumption or further processing.

Within the broader HTS Chapter 7, which deals with edible vegetables and certain roots and tubers, 0709.40 is specifically dedicated to celery. It is grouped alongside other distinct vegetable types such as asparagus (0709.20), eggplants (0709.30), mushrooms and truffles (0709.50), and peppers (0709.60). The key differentiator for 0709.40 is the identification of the plant as celery, excluding other vegetables with different botanical classifications and characteristics.

The subcategories within 0709.40 provide further refinement for classification. "Reduced in size" (0709.40.20.00) would typically cover celery that has undergone significant mechanical processing to be cut or portioned into smaller pieces, while "Other" would encompass whole stalks or larger, unprocessed units of celery. This distinction is important for specific trade and tariff treatments.