1202.42 - Shelled, whether or not broken:

This HTS category, 1202.42, specifically covers shelled peanuts (ground-nuts) that have not undergone any roasting or cooking. The "shelled" designation means that the outer shell has been removed, and the peanuts are presented as the kernels. This category further refines the classification by including peanuts that may be broken, indicating that the kernels can be whole or fragmented. The focus remains on the raw, unshelled form of the peanut kernel, distinguishing it from peanuts prepared for direct consumption or further processing through heat treatment.

As there are no sibling categories at this specific level, the primary distinction is from the preceding broader categories. Peanuts falling under 1202.42 are explicitly differentiated from unshelled peanuts or peanuts that have been roasted or cooked. The "shelled, whether or not broken" criterion is the key defining characteristic that separates this subcategory.

Within 1202.42, there are two subcategories to further delineate the classification of shelled, unroasted peanuts. These are "Dry-blanched" and "Other." The "Dry-blanched" subcategory would encompass peanuts whose outer skin has been removed through a dry blanching process, which typically involves heating and then rubbing to loosen and remove the thin reddish-brown skin. The "Other" subcategory would then capture all remaining shelled, unroasted peanuts that do not meet the specific criteria for dry-blanching, such as those with the skin still intact or blanched through other methods.