1602.42.20 - Boned and cooked and packed in airtight containers

This HTS category, 1602.42.20, specifically covers preparations of meat, meat offal, blood, or insects that are boned, cooked, and packed in airtight containers. The primary focus within this classification is on products derived from swine, specifically shoulders and cuts thereof. These preparations are intended for preservation and are typically found in ready-to-eat formats, such as canned hams or pork shoulders.

Distinguishing this category from its sibling, 1602.42.40.00 (Other), is crucial. While 1602.42.40.00 encompasses a broader range of "other" prepared swine meat that may not meet the specific criteria of boned, cooked, and hermetically sealed, 1602.42.20.00 is precisely defined by these processing and packaging attributes. Therefore, products classified here must have undergone all three stipulated processes.

Within 1602.42.20.00, further subclassification exists based on the weight of the product per container. The subcategories 1602.42.20.20 and 1602.42.20.40 differentiate based on whether the containers hold less than 1 kg or are otherwise defined as "other," reflecting a logistical or commercial distinction in packaging size. This allows for more granular tracking and tariff application based on the retail or bulk packaging of these prepared pork products.