2846.90.20.15 - Containing yttrium or scandium as the predominant metal

This HTS subcategory, 2846.90.20.15, specifically classifies inorganic or organic compounds of rare-earth metals, yttrium, or scandium where yttrium or scandium are the predominant metals by weight within the mixture. This distinction is crucial for accurate tariff application, encompassing a variety of compounds utilized in advanced materials, phosphors, catalysts, and specialized ceramics. The "predominant metal" criterion ensures that classification is based on the primary metallic component when multiple rare-earth elements, yttrium, or scandium are present.

This category is distinguished from its sibling, 2846.90.20.05, which covers similar compounds but where lanthanum is the predominant metal. Therefore, if a compound contains both yttrium and lanthanum, its classification hinges on which of these two metals constitutes the larger proportion by weight. Similarly, it differs from the broader "Other" sibling category (2846.90.20.40), which is reserved for compounds not specifically covered by the predominant yttrium/scandium or predominant lanthanum classifications, or for mixtures where no single rare-earth element, yttrium, or scandium is clearly predominant.

As this is a leaf node in the HTS structure, there are no further subcategories. Classification within 2846.90.20.15 is therefore definitive for qualifying compounds, relying solely on the identification of yttrium or scandium as the principal metallic constituent. The scope is limited to compounds where these specific elements are the primary metal, excluding mixtures where other rare-earth metals, such as cerium or lanthanum, are the predominant component.