2309.10.00.10 - In airtight containers

This HTS category, 2309.10.00.10, specifically covers dog or cat food that is presented in an "airtight container" and is prepared for retail sale. The defining characteristic here is the packaging method, which is designed to preserve the food's freshness and prevent spoilage through a hermetic seal. This classification applies to a wide range of dry, semi-moist, and wet pet foods that meet these criteria, regardless of their specific ingredients or nutrient profiles, as long as they are intended for direct consumer purchase.

The key differentiator for this subcategory, 2309.10.00.10, compared to its sibling category 2309.10.00.90 ("Other"), is the explicit requirement for packaging in airtight containers. While both categories fall under "Dog or cat food, put up for retail sale," the "Other" category would encompass dog and cat food sold in retail packaging that is not airtight, such as open bags, recyclable boxes, or bulk dispensers where a hermetic seal is not a feature of the immediate retail packaging. Therefore, the focus for 2309.10.00.10 is on the preservation method afforded by the container.

As this is a leaf node in the HTS classification system, there are no further subcategories. The classification is finalized at this level based on the product type (dog or cat food), its intended use (put up for retail sale), and its specific packaging (in airtight containers). Classification decisions at this point will rely heavily on verifying that the product is indeed intended for animal consumption, is packaged for individual consumer purchase, and that the container provides an airtight seal.