2615.90.60.60 - Tantalum ores and concentrates

This HTS subcategory, 2615.90.60.60, specifically covers tantalum ores and concentrates. Tantalum, a transition metal known for its high corrosion resistance and ability to store electrical charge, is primarily used in electronics, particularly in the manufacturing of capacitors found in smartphones, laptops, and other portable devices. This classification applies to materials that are extracted from the earth and have undergone initial processing to increase the concentration of tantalum, making them suitable for further refining and industrial use.

It is crucial to distinguish this classification from its sibling categories. HTS 2615.90.60.30 pertains to niobium (columbium) ores and concentrates, which often occur alongside tantalum and share some similar applications but are distinct in their primary uses, such as in high-strength alloys for aerospace and pipelines. Similarly, HTS 2615.90.60.90 covers vanadium ores and concentrates, a metal primarily used to strengthen steel alloys and in the production of aerospace components. This specific tantalum classification ensures accurate tracking and duty assessment for this valuable metal's raw material imports.

As this is a leaf node within the HTS, there are no further subdivisions under 2615.90.60.60. Therefore, the focus for classification professionals is on ensuring that the imported material is indeed tantalum ore or concentrate and not a more processed form, which would fall under different HTS headings. Any material containing tantalum that has undergone significant refining, such as smelted tantalum or tantalum powder, would be classified elsewhere in the HTS.