2008.99.25.00 - Dates

This classification covers dates that have been otherwise prepared or preserved. This includes dates that are cooked, sweetened, or have had spirits added. The preparation methods can range from canning and freezing to drying or pureeing, as long as the final product is not elsewhere specified under Chapter 20. The intent is to capture dates that have undergone processing beyond their natural state, preparing them for consumption or further use in food products.

Distinguishing this category from its siblings requires careful attention to the specific fruit or plant part. For instance, while other subheadings might cover prepared apples, bananas, or berries, this HTS code is exclusively for dates. Similarly, it differentiates from categories like "Cashew apples, mameyes colorados, sapodillas, soursops and sweetsops" by its precise focus on the fruit of the date palm. The key differentiator lies in the botanical origin of the product being classified.

As this is a leaf node in the HTS classification structure, there are no further subcategories. Therefore, classification decisions under this HTS code will rely on confirming that the imported goods are indeed dates that have been prepared or preserved, and do not fit into any more specific or alternative classifications within Chapter 20. Examples could include canned dates, dates in syrup, or dried dates that have been further processed beyond simple dehydration.