3204.20.40.00 - Benzoxazol

This HTS classification, 3204.20.40.00, specifically covers Benzoxazol, a synthetic organic product utilized as a fluorescent brightening agent. Fluorescent brightening agents are compounds that absorb ultraviolet light and re-emit it as visible blue light, thereby making materials appear whiter and brighter by counteracting any natural yellowing. Benzoxazol falls within this category due to its chemical structure and its primary application in enhancing the visual whiteness of various substrates, such as textiles, paper, and plastics.

Distinguishing this specific code from its siblings, 3204.20.10.00 ("Fluorescent brightening agent 32") and 3204.20.80.00 ("Other"), highlights the precise nature of this entry. While "Fluorescent brightening agent 32" may refer to a broader or more specific group of fluorescent brighteners within the broader category of synthetic organic coloring matter, and "Other" serves as a residual category for any fluorescent brightening agents not specifically enumerated, 3204.20.40.00 isolates Benzoxazol as a distinct, chemically defined fluorescent brightening agent. This specificity is crucial for accurate tariff application.

As this node is a leaf node, it does not have further subcategories. Therefore, the classification concludes at Benzoxazol. When classifying goods, the primary consideration is whether the product is indeed Benzoxazol and that its intended use is as a fluorescent brightening agent. If a product exhibits properties of a fluorescent brightening agent but is not Benzoxazol, it would likely fall under the "Other" category (3204.20.80.00), assuming it does not fit the specific criteria of 3204.20.10.00.