2614.00 - Titanium ores and concentrates:

This HTS category, 2614.00, encompasses titanium ores and their concentrated forms. These are raw materials primarily valued for their titanium content, which will typically undergo further processing to extract the metal or produce titanium compounds and pigments. The classification specifically addresses the naturally occurring or beneficiated mineral substances before they are significantly transformed into manufactured goods.

Distinguishing this category from its siblings within Section V is crucial. While other categories in Chapter 26 may deal with different types of ores, slag, or ash, 2614.00 is solely dedicated to materials where titanium is the principal valuable constituent. For instance, it is distinct from categories covering iron ores, copper ores, or precious metal ores, which have entirely different chemical compositions and end uses.

The subcategories within 2614.00 provide further refinement based on the specific form of titanium ore concentrate. 2614.00.30.00 covers "Synthetic rutile," a processed form of titanium dioxide that, while derived from natural ores, is manufactured to meet specific purity and particle size requirements for applications like pigment production. The residual category, 2614.00.60, "Other," accounts for all other titanium ores and concentrates not specifically classified as synthetic rutile, which may include ilmenite, leucoxene, and natural rutile in their less processed states.