3802.10.00 - Activated carbon

This category encompasses activated carbon, a highly porous form of carbon with an exceptionally large surface area. Its activation process significantly enhances its adsorptive properties, making it suitable for a wide range of purification and filtration applications across various industries. This includes its use in water and air purification systems, as a decolorizing agent in food and beverage production, and in chemical processing for the removal of impurities.

At this level of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule, 3802.10.00 specifically addresses "activated carbon" itself, distinguishing it from the broader classification of "Other" activated natural mineral products and animal black covered under 3802.90. While sibling categories may include other activated substances or forms of carbon with different origins or less specific activation processes, this code is dedicated to carbon that has undergone a deliberate activation treatment to maximize its adsorptive capacity.

Within this classification, further detail is provided to differentiate activated carbon based on its source material. The subcategories—3802.10.00.10 (Derived from coal), 3802.10.00.20 (Derived from coconut), and 3802.10.00.50 (Other)—allow for more precise classification based on the raw material used in the manufacturing process. This distinction is crucial for understanding the specific properties and common applications associated with each type of activated carbon.