3912.20.00.00 - Cellulose nitrates (including collodions)

This HTS category, 3912.20.00.00, specifically covers cellulose nitrates, which are chemically modified cellulose compounds. This includes nitrocellulose, a highly flammable material often used in lacquers, explosives, and photographic film. Collodions, a solution of nitrocellulose in alcohol and ether, are also classified here. These substances are characterized by their nitrogen content, which is a key factor in their reactivity and applications.

While this chapter covers various cellulose derivatives, 3912.20.00.00 is distinct from sibling categories such as cellulose acetates and cellulose ethers. Cellulose acetates are derived from acetic acid, and cellulose ethers are formed by replacing hydroxyl groups with ether linkages. In contrast, cellulose nitrates are characterized by the presence of nitrate groups attached to the cellulose backbone, leading to fundamentally different chemical and physical properties.

As this is a leaf node, there are no further subcategories within 3912.20.00.00. Classification at this level is determined by the material being a nitrate of cellulose. It is important to note that while nitrocellulose itself falls under this heading, finished articles manufactured from cellulose nitrates, such as lacquers or films, may be classified elsewhere in Chapter 39 or other chapters of the HTS, depending on their specific composition and function.