3403 - Lubricating preparations (including cutting-oil preparations, bolt or nut release preparations, antirust or anticorrosion preparations and mold release preparations, based on lubricants) and preparations of a kind used for the oil or grease treatment of textile materials, leather, furskins or other materials, but excluding preparations containing, as basic constituents, 70 percent or more by weight of petroleum oils or oils obtained from bituminous minerals:

HTS Code 3403 encompasses a broad range of lubricating preparations, distinct from other Chapters that might deal with basic oils or finished mechanical components. This category is specifically for preparations designed to reduce friction, prevent wear, or facilitate various industrial processes. Examples include cutting oils used in machining, bolt or nut release agents, and rust or corrosion inhibitors that rely on lubricating properties. It also covers preparations for treating textiles, leather, or furskins to enhance their texture, flexibility, or preservation through lubrication. Crucially, these preparations are defined by what they *do not* contain as their primary component.

Unlike other Chapters in Section VI, such as Chapter 27 which covers mineral fuels and oils, HTS 3403 focuses on the *prepared* nature of the lubricant and its intended application. While Chapter 34 as a whole addresses soaps, detergents, and waxes, HTS 3403 specifically isolates lubricating preparations and similar treatment agents. The key distinguishing factor from sibling categories lies in the formulation and intended function; this chapter is about the *application* of lubricants rather than the basic substances themselves or unrelated finished goods.

The subcategories within HTS 3403 bifurcate based on the primary constituent. The first division addresses preparations where petroleum oils or oils derived from bituminous minerals form the basic constituent, comprising 70 percent or more by weight. The second division, "Other," covers lubricating preparations that do not meet this high threshold of petroleum or bituminous oil content, implying that other bases or significant additive packages define these formulations. This distinction is critical for tariff determination, reflecting differing production origins and potentially different end-use applications.