2903.72.01.00 - Dichlorotrifluoroethanes (HCFC-123)

This HTS category, 2903.72.01.00, specifically classifies Dichlorotrifluoroethanes, commonly known as HCFC-123. These compounds are acyclic, saturated hydrocarbons where hydrogen atoms have been replaced by both chlorine and fluorine. HCFC-123 finds significant application as a refrigerant and a solvent due to its chemical properties, including low toxicity and non-flammability, although its use is subject to international regulations like the Montreal Protocol due to its ozone-depleting potential.

Distinguishing this category from its siblings, such as Chlorodifluoromethane (HCFC-22) or Dichlorofluoroethanes (HCFC-141, 141b), hinges on the precise number and type of halogen atoms present and the carbon chain length. While all fall under halogenated derivatives of acyclic hydrocarbons containing at least two different halogens, HCFC-123 is uniquely characterized by its ethane backbone with three chlorine atoms and two fluorine atoms. Other siblings may have different arrangements of halogens on ethane or propane chains, or a different combination of halogens, leading to distinct chemical and physical properties.

As this is a leaf node, there are no further subcategories within 2903.72.01.00. Classification at this level is definitive for HCFC-123. Customs professionals should ensure that the imported or exported product precisely matches the chemical composition and nomenclature of dichlorotrifluoroethanes to correctly assign it to this specific tariff line, differentiating it from other HCFCs or halogenated hydrocarbons with varying chemical structures and applications.