2510.10.00.00 - Unground

This HTS category, 2510.10.00.00, covers natural calcium phosphates, natural aluminum calcium phosphates, and phosphatic chalk in their unground form. These are mineral substances primarily derived from natural deposits that contain phosphorus, calcium, and aluminum. The key characteristic is that these materials are in a raw or unprocessed state, meaning they have not undergone any grinding, crushing, or other physical processing that would alter their particle size to a significantly finer degree. Examples include naturally occurring apatite rocks and phosphate-rich chalks that are intended for further processing or use in their current, coarser form.

The distinction between this category and its sibling, 2510.20.00.00, lies solely in the physical state of the material. While both cover the same types of natural phosphates and phosphatic chalks, 2510.10.00.00 specifically applies to those that have not been ground. In contrast, 2510.20.00.00 applies to identical materials that have undergone a grinding process, resulting in a finer particle size. This distinction is crucial for customs purposes as it reflects a difference in the stage of processing.

As this node is a leaf node within the HTS structure, there are no further subcategories. Therefore, the classification is determined by the fundamental criteria of material composition (natural calcium phosphates, natural aluminum calcium phosphates, and phosphatic chalk) and its physical state (unground). Any material meeting these requirements, regardless of its specific mineralogical variation or intended end-use, will fall under this heading, provided it has not been subjected to grinding.