2710.12.18 - Motor fuel blending stock

This HTS category, 2710.12.18, encompasses motor fuel blending stock. These are petroleum-derived products, specifically light oils, that are not finished motor fuels themselves but are intended for use in the production of gasoline and other motor fuels. They are characterized by their specific volatility and composition, meeting criteria that allow them to be blended with other components, including oxygenates, to create compliant and effective final fuel products.

It is crucial to distinguish this category from its siblings. While 2710.12.15 also covers motor fuel, this subcategory is for the finished product. Similarly, 2710.12.25.00 pertains to naphthas that are explicitly *not* motor fuel or motor fuel blending stock, suggesting their use in other industrial applications. This category, 2710.12.18, specifically targets those light oil fractions whose primary function is to be incorporated into the formulation of motor fuels.

This classification is further divided into subcategories to provide more granular control. The primary subdivision, 2710.12.18.05, identifies Reformulated Blendstock for Oxygenate Blending (RBOB), a common type of motor fuel blending stock used in producing reformulated gasoline. The residual category, 2710.12.18.90, covers all other types of motor fuel blending stock not otherwise specified, ensuring comprehensive coverage within this area.