0802.99.15.00 - Shelled

This HTS category, 0802.99.15.00, specifically classifies pecans that have been shelled. This means the hard outer shell of the pecan has been removed, and the edible kernel is what is being imported or exported. This classification is applicable to pecans in any condition after shelling, including whole kernels, halves, or pieces, whether they are raw, roasted, or otherwise processed, as long as they remain in their shelled state and are not further prepared in a manner that would qualify them for a different heading.

The crucial distinction for this category lies in the removal of the shell. Its sibling category, 0802.99.10.00, covers pecans that are still enclosed within their natural shell. Therefore, if the pecan is presented with its outer casing intact, it would fall under the "In shell" classification. This category, "Shelled," applies exclusively to the exposed edible portion of the pecan.

As a leaf node in the HTS structure, this category does not have further subcategories. This signifies that once a pecan is identified as "shelled," this specific code is the final destination for its classification within Chapter 8, unless specific processing beyond shelling alters its nature to the extent that it falls under a different chapter or heading (e.g., confectionery). Classification relies solely on the fact that the shell has been removed, making the kernel directly accessible.