0905.20.00.00 - Crushed or ground

This HTS category, 0905.20.00.00, specifically encompasses vanilla that has been processed by crushing or grinding. This processing is the defining characteristic, indicating that the vanilla beans have undergone physical alteration to break them down into smaller particles, making them ready for direct use in culinary applications or as an ingredient in further manufacturing processes. The physical state of the vanilla – whether in powdered form, fine granules, or even larger crushed pieces – falls under this classification, provided the primary processing method involved crushing or grinding.

It is crucial to distinguish this category from its sibling, 0905.10.00.00, which covers vanilla that is "neither crushed nor ground." This sibling category would include whole vanilla beans, vanilla pods, or even vanilla seeds if they have not been subjected to crushing or grinding. Therefore, the distinction hinges solely on the physical processing of the vanilla beans.

As this HTS code is a leaf node, there are no further subcategories within it. Classification decisions at this level will therefore focus entirely on verifying that the vanilla has indeed been crushed or ground and that it falls within the broader scope of Chapter 9, which pertains to coffee, tea, maté and spices.