2008.11 - Peanuts (ground-nuts):

This HTS category, 2008.11, specifically covers peanuts (ground-nuts) that have been prepared or preserved in ways not otherwise specified under Chapter 20. This includes peanuts that have undergone processes such as roasting, salting, or being packed in brine, provided they are not further processed into items like peanut butter or paste. The key criterion for classification here is that the peanuts remain identifiable as whole or broken nuts, even if their texture or flavor has been altered.

It is important to distinguish this category from its sibling, 2008.19, which encompasses "Other, including mixtures." While 2008.11 is exclusively for prepared or preserved peanuts, 2008.19 would cover mixtures of nuts or seeds where peanuts might be present but are not the sole component, or other prepared nuts not specifically classified elsewhere. The focus of 2008.11 remains squarely on the preparation of peanuts themselves.

Within this classification, subcategories further refine the treatment of prepared peanuts. The initial subdivision accounts for "Peanut butter and paste," which represents a distinct transformation where the peanuts are processed into a spreadable form. The remaining items fall under the "Other" subcategory, capturing all other prepared or preserved peanut products that do not fit the definition of peanut butter or paste but are still distinct from raw or simply shelled peanuts.