1604.14.70.00 - In oil

This HTS classification, 1604.14.70.00, specifically covers prepared or preserved bonito (Sarda spp.) that are packed in oil. This includes bonito that has undergone processing such as canning, drying, or cooking and is presented for consumption with oil as a primary preserving agent or component of the final product. The "in oil" designation is a critical factor for correct classification, differentiating it from other preparations of bonito.

The primary distinction for this category lies in its explicit inclusion of oil as a preservative or medium. It directly contrasts with its sibling category, 1604.14.80.00, which is designated for bonito "Not in oil." This means that if the bonito is preserved in water, brine, or any other medium *other than* oil, or if it is simply dried without immersion in oil, it would fall under the "Not in oil" classification. The presence or absence of oil is the sole determining factor at this level of specificity.

As this is a leaf node within the HTS structure, there are no further subcategories to introduce. The classification ends here for bonito packed in oil, meaning that once a product meets the criteria of being bonito (Sarda spp.), prepared or preserved, and specifically packed in oil, it is definitively classified under 1604.14.70.00. Users should carefully verify the packaging and preservation method to ensure accurate classification.