2804.80.00.00 - Arsenic 🖩

This HTS classification covers pure arsenic and its compounds, which are considered inorganic chemical elements. Arsenic is a metalloid with a variety of industrial applications, including its use in semiconductors, alloys, and as a component in certain pesticides and wood preservatives. Its classification here is based on its elemental form or its simple inorganic compounds that fall outside of more specific chemical categories.

Distinguishing arsenic from its sibling categories within HTS 2804 is crucial for accurate classification. Unlike hydrogen (2804.10), nitrogen (2804.30), or oxygen (2804.40), which are fundamental nonmetals essential for various industrial and biological processes, arsenic's primary classifications are driven by its metallic or semi-metallic properties and its distinct chemical reactivity and toxicity. Similarly, while rare gases are also covered under this chapter, they are inert and have vastly different applications and chemical behaviors compared to arsenic. Boron and tellurium (2804.50) are also distinct elements with unique properties and uses, separate from arsenic.

As a leaf node, HTS code 2804.80.00.00 represents the most specific classification for arsenic itself and its direct inorganic compounds. This means that further subdivisions within this code are not typically defined. Importers and exporters should ensure that the material being declared is indeed arsenic or its basic inorganic forms, and not a more complex chemical compound or a finished product where arsenic is a minor component, which would be classified elsewhere in the Harmonized Tariff Schedule based on its primary function or material composition.