2501.00.00.00 - Salt (including table salt and denatured salt) and pure sodium chloride, whether or not in aqueous solution or containing added anti-caking or free-flowing agents; sea water

This HTS category, 2501.00.00.00, encompasses a broad range of salt products and pure sodium chloride. This includes common table salt, as well as denatured salt which may have additives for industrial or other specific uses. The classification extends to sodium chloride in various forms, including aqueous solutions. Notably, it also covers the addition of anti-caking or free-flowing agents, which are common in commercially packaged salts to improve handling and shelf-life. Furthermore, this heading includes natural seawater, recognizing its mineral content and potential for salt extraction or other uses.

Distinguishing this category from its siblings at the Section V/Chapter 25 level is crucial. While other entries in Chapter 25 cover various mineral products such as sulfur, earths, stone, plastering materials, lime, and cement, 2501.00.00.00 is specifically dedicated to saline compounds, primarily sodium chloride and its direct derivatives or raw forms like sea water. The sibling categories focus on materials with fundamentally different chemical compositions and physical properties, serving distinct industrial and construction purposes, whereas this heading is solely focused on salt and its related forms.

As a leaf node, 2501.00.00.00 does not have further subdivisions. Therefore, practical classification under this heading relies on identifying the product as either salt (including table salt, denatured salt, or salt in aqueous solution), pure sodium chloride, or sea water. The presence of additives such as anti-caking agents does not preclude classification here, as these are explicitly permitted by the description. The key determining factor is the primary composition and nature of the product as a saline substance.