2006.00 - Vegetables, fruit, nuts, fruit-peel and other parts of plants preserved by sugar (drained, glacé or crystallized):

This HTS category, 2006.00, encompasses a variety of vegetables, fruits, nuts, fruit peels, and other plant parts that have been preserved by sugar. This preservation method includes treatments such as draining, glacé (candying), or crystallizing. The defining characteristic of goods within this heading is the significant presence of added sugar as a primary preservation agent, altering the texture and taste of the original plant material.

Unlike other categories within Chapter 20, which might cover simple preparations like juices, jams, or preserved vegetables in brine, heading 2006.00 specifically isolates products where sugar acts as the principal preservative. For example, while canned fruits are also covered under Chapter 20, they are typically preserved in syrup or their own juices, not through the sugar-crystallized or glacé processes characteristic of 2006.00. It is also distinct from dried fruits (heading 0804) as sugar preservation fundamentally changes the product's moisture content and texture.

The subcategories within 2006.00 provide further detail by specifying particular types of plant products preserved in this manner. For instance, specific provisions exist for cherries, ginger root, and pineapples, allowing for more granular classification of these common items. The residual "Other, including mixtures" category serves as a catch-all for any plant parts preserved by sugar that do not fall into the more specific listed subheadings. This structure facilitates accurate tariff application based on both the preservation method and the specific botanical origin of the product.