1211.90.60.00 - Tonka beans 🖩

This HTS category, 1211.90.60.00, specifically classifies Tonka beans. Tonka beans are the seeds of the *Dipteryx odorata* tree, native to South America. They are primarily used for their aromatic properties, imparting a vanilla-like scent and flavor, and are often found in perfumery, as well as in some food and beverage applications where permitted. The classification emphasizes the dried state of the beans, whether whole, cut, crushed, or powdered, as long as their primary purpose aligns with perfumery, medicinal, or similar industrial applications.

Distinguishing this category from its siblings is crucial. While the broader Heading 1211 covers a range of plants and plant parts used in perfumery, pharmacy, or for insecticidal purposes, the "Other" subheadings at this level branch into more specific applications. For instance, a sibling category might cover mint leaves, distinguished by their distinct botanical origin and primary uses, which are typically culinary or medicinal rather than exclusively perfumery-focused in the same manner as Tonka beans. This particular node, Tonka beans, is set apart by its unique aromatic profile and specific applications within the perfumery and flavor industries.

As this node represents a leaf node within the HTS structure, there are no further subcategories to introduce. Classification at this level is definitive for Tonka beans meeting the described criteria. Therefore, the focus for users should be on confirming that the imported goods are indeed Tonka beans and that their intended primary use aligns with the established parameters of Heading 1211, particularly within the "other" category for plants not otherwise specified at higher levels, and that they are not specifically covered by other more precise subheadings.