2801 - Fluorine, chlorine, bromine and iodine:

This HTS category, 2801, encompasses elementary halogen elements, specifically fluorine, chlorine, bromine, and iodine, in their pure or uncombined forms. These are fundamental inorganic chemical substances characterized by their reactivity and various industrial applications, ranging from water purification (chlorine) to pharmaceuticals and photography (iodine).

Unlike sibling categories at the HTS Database Root, which deal with live animals, this section falls under Chapter 28, dedicated to inorganic chemicals. Therefore, 2801 is distinct from categories covering organic compounds, precious metals, or other distinct groups of chemical elements, focusing exclusively on the uncompounded halogens.

The subcategories within 2801 further refine the classification based on the specific halogen. Chlorine and iodine have dedicated six-digit subheadings (2801.10 and 2801.20, respectively). Fluorine and bromine are grouped together under the broader six-digit subheading 2801.30, indicating a slightly less granular classification for these two elements at this level, likely due to their more limited commercial volume or similar handling requirements.