2903.44.10.20 - 1,1,1-Trifluoroethane (HFC-143a)

This HTS subheading covers a specific hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) compound: 1,1,1-trifluoroethane, also known by its refrigerant designation HFC-143a. These compounds are saturated fluorinated derivatives of acyclic hydrocarbons, meaning they are derived from simple, non-ring structures with carbon-hydrogen bonds where some or all of the hydrogen atoms have been replaced by fluorine atoms. HFC-143a is primarily utilized as a refrigerant and as a component in refrigerant blends, finding applications in various cooling and air conditioning systems.

Within this level of classification, it is crucial to distinguish HFC-143a from its direct siblings. Subheading 2903.44.10.10 specifically enumerates 1,1,1,2,2-pentafluoroethane (HFC-125), which contains five fluorine atoms and two hydrogen atoms (before fluorination) in its acyclic hydrocarbon base. Similarly, subheading 2903.44.10.30 covers 1,1,2-trifluoroethane (HFC-143), a positional isomer of HFC-143a, differing in the placement of the fluorine atoms on the ethane backbone. The key differentiating factor is the precise molecular structure and the number and position of fluorine atoms attached to the ethane molecule.

As this subheading represents a leaf node in the HTS structure, there are no further subdivisions. Therefore, classification under 2903.44.10.20 is definitive for pure 1,1,1-trifluoroethane (HFC-143a) and its immediate commercial forms. Classification relies on the precise chemical identification of the substance, ensuring that only goods conforming to the molecular formula and structural characteristics of HFC-143a are assigned to this code, thereby maintaining the integrity of the customs tariff system.