0802.21.00.00 - In shell

This HTS category, 0802.21.00.00, specifically covers hazelnuts (also known as filberts) that are presented in their natural shell. This means the product includes the entire fruit, encompassing both the hard outer shell and the edible kernel within. These nuts are typically traded and imported in this form, requiring shelling at a later stage for consumption or further processing.

It is crucial to distinguish this classification from its sibling category, 0802.22.00.00, which covers shelled hazelnuts. While both pertain to hazelnuts, the key differentiator is the presence or absence of the shell. Goods classified under 0802.21.00.00 are explicitly those where the shell remains intact, whereas 0802.22.00.00 applies to hazelnuts that have been removed from their shells.

As this node is a leaf category within the HTS structure, there are no further subcategories to introduce. Therefore, the classification hinges entirely on the physical state of the hazelnut – specifically, whether it is presented in shell or has been shelled. This distinction ensures accurate tariff application based on the immediate form of the imported goods.