2609.00.00.00 - Tin ores and concentrates

This HTS category, 2609.00.00.00, specifically covers ores and concentrates of tin. Ores are naturally occurring rocks or mineral deposits from which a valuable mineral, in this case tin, can be extracted. Concentrates are products of a milling process where the valuable mineral has been physically separated from the waste rock (gangue), increasing its concentration of tin. This classification is crucial for identifying materials where tin is the primary commercially extractable metal.

Distinguishing this category from its sibling categories within Chapter 26 is vital. Unlike other entries in Chapter 26, such as metal ores and concentrates of other base metals (e.g., copper, lead, zinc) or precious metals, 2609.00.00.00 is exclusively for tin-bearing materials. It also differs from slag and ash, which are byproducts of metallurgical processes rather than primary mineral extraction. Therefore, the presence of tin as the dominant metal and the form of the material (ore or concentrate) are the key classification determinants.

As a leaf node, 2609.00.00.00 has no further subdivisions. Classification at this level relies on the material's physical state and its primary composition. Importers and exporters should ensure that documentation accurately reflects the nature of the material as either a crude ore containing tin or a processed concentrate with an elevated tin content, and that it is not classified under other mineral product categories based on different primary constituents or processing stages.