1601.00.40 - Beef in airtight containers

This HTS category, 1601.00.40, specifically encompasses beef prepared and packaged in airtight containers. This designation is crucial for distinguishing these products from other meat preparations within Chapter 16. The "airtight containers" aspect signifies a preservation method intended to maintain the product's integrity and shelf-life, differentiating it from products sold fresh, chilled, or in non-airtight packaging.

Within the broader heading of "Sausages and similar products, of meat, meat offal, blood or insects; food preparations based on these products," this code falls under the "Other" subheading, indicating it's not a sausage or a direct derivative of the primary products listed in 1601.00.20. Its sibling category, 1601.00.60, also labeled "Other," would likely cover beef preparations in airtight containers that do not meet the specific criteria for the subcategories detailed below, or other meat preparations not elsewhere specified.

The subcategories, 1601.00.40.10 (Canned) and 1601.00.40.90 (Other), provide further granularity. "Canned" refers to beef specifically preserved through the canning process in airtight metal containers, a common method for such products. The residual "Other" subcategory would then capture any beef preparations in airtight containers that do not qualify as "canned," potentially including those packaged in retort pouches or other forms of hermetically sealed flexible or rigid packaging.