2903.11.00 - Chloromethane (Methyl chloride) and chloroethane (Ethyl chloride)

This HTS classification, 2903.11.00, specifically covers chloromethane (commonly known as methyl chloride) and chloroethane (commonly known as ethyl chloride). These are simple, saturated chlorinated hydrocarbons derived from acyclic hydrocarbons, meaning they are straight-chain compounds where chlorine atoms have replaced hydrogen atoms. Their primary characteristic is their low molecular weight and the presence of a single chlorine atom attached to a one or two-carbon chain.

Distinguishing this category from its siblings is crucial. For instance, 2903.12.00.00 covers dichloromethane (methylene chloride), which has two chlorine atoms on a single carbon. Similarly, 2903.13.00.00 is for chloroform (trichloromethane), with three chlorine atoms on a single carbon, and 2903.14.00.00 is for carbon tetrachloride, which has four chlorine atoms on a single carbon. Other siblings, like 2903.15.00.00 (ethylene dichloride), involve chlorinated ethane with two chlorine atoms on adjacent carbons. This category is therefore reserved for monochlorinated methane and ethane.

Within the 2903.11.00.00 heading, further subdivisions exist to specifically distinguish between chloromethane (methyl chloride) and chloroethane (ethyl chloride). These subcategories, 2903.11.00.10 and 2903.11.00.20 respectively, allow for more precise tariff application based on the specific chemical identity of the imported or exported product, reflecting their distinct chemical properties and industrial uses.