2845.30.00.00 - Lithium enriched in lithium-6 and its compounds

This HTS classification, 2845.30.00.00, specifically covers lithium that has been enriched in the isotope lithium-6, as well as compounds derived from this enriched lithium. The enrichment process increases the proportion of lithium-6 relative to the naturally occurring lithium isotopes, primarily lithium-7. This material finds specialized applications, particularly in nuclear reactors for tritium production and in certain types of thermonuclear weapons.

Within the broader category of isotopes and their compounds, this heading differentiates itself from its siblings by its specific focus on enriched lithium. For instance, 2845.10.00.00 covers heavy water (deuterium oxide), 2845.20.00.00 pertains to boron enriched in boron-10, and 2845.40.00.00 is designated for helium-3. Each of these sibling categories addresses distinct isotopes and their respective compounds.

As 2845.30.00.00 is a leaf node, there are no further subdivisions. Therefore, the primary focus for classification within this code is to ascertain whether the lithium or its compounds are indeed enriched in lithium-6, and that these materials fall outside of the scope of Chapter 2844 which covers radioactive isotopes. The degree of enrichment is a critical factor for accurate classification.