1602.50.21 - In airtight containers

This HTS category, 1602.50.21, specifically covers other prepared or preserved meats, meat offal, blood, or insects of bovine animals, that are not packed with cereals or vegetables, and are presented in airtight containers. This broad designation includes various preparations derived from bovine animals, such as cooked meats, pâtés, or jellied products, provided they meet the specified criteria of being preserved hermetically to prevent spoilage. The emphasis on "other" indicates that it encompasses preparations not falling under more specific classifications within the bovine meat preparations chapter.

The distinction of 1602.50.21 from its sibling category, 1602.50.60, lies in the specific packaging requirement. While 1602.50.60 represents "Other" preparations of bovine animals without the explicit mention of being in airtight containers, this category is solely for those products hermetically sealed. This packaging method is critical for ensuring long-term preservation and shelf stability, which is a defining characteristic for classification under this heading.

Within this category, further subdivisions exist to provide a more granular classification based on the quantity of product per container. The subcategories 1602.50.21.20 and 1602.50.21.40 differentiate between preparations packaged in containers holding less than 1 kilogram and "Other" quantities, respectively. This distinction is often made to account for differences in market presentation and typical retail packaging sizes, impacting trade flow and statistical tracking.