2005.20.00.20 - Potato chips

This HTS category, 2005.20.00.20, specifically encompasses potato chips. These are thinly sliced potatoes that have been fried or baked until crisp. They are prepared or preserved in a manner other than by the addition of vinegar or acetic acid and are not in a frozen state. This classification applies to ready-to-eat snack items derived from potatoes, commonly recognized by consumers as potato chips.

This classification is distinguished from its sibling categories primarily by the form of the prepared potato. While 2005.20.00.40 covers potato granules, which are dehydrated potato particles often used as a base for mashed potatoes or other reconstituted potato products, and 2005.20.00.70 covers "other" potato preparations not fitting the specific subcategories, 2005.20.00.20 is reserved exclusively for the distinct, crispy chip form. The preparation method for chips focuses on achieving a brittle texture and is distinct from the dehydration or other processing methods used for granules.

As a leaf node within the HTS structure, this category does not have further subcategories. Classification under 2005.20.00.20 is therefore definitive for goods meeting the description of potato chips, provided they otherwise meet the conditions of heading 2005 (prepared or preserved vegetables not frozen, not in vinegar or acetic acid, and not products of heading 2006). This includes a wide variety of flavored and unflavored potato chips commonly found in the market.