4001.21.00 - Smoked sheets

This HTS category, 4001.21.00, specifically covers "Smoked sheets" within the broader classification of natural rubber in primary forms or in plates, sheets, or strip. Smoked sheets are a form of natural rubber that has undergone a process of smoking after latex coagulation, resulting in a characteristic color and preserved state. This processing method differentiates them from other forms of natural rubber.

Distinguishing this category from its siblings, 4001.22.00 (Technically Specified Natural Rubber - TSNR) and 4001.29.00 (Other), is crucial. TSNR is defined by specific physical and chemical properties tailored for particular applications, whereas smoked sheets are classified primarily by their processing method. "Other" natural rubber in sheets would encompass forms not specifically defined as smoked sheets or TSNR.

The subcategories under 4001.21.00, such as Grade 1, Grade 2, Grade 3, and Other, allow for further differentiation based on quality, purity, or specific characteristics determined by the smoking and sheeting process. These grades reflect variations in color, cleanliness, and other parameters that influence their suitability for different manufacturing uses within the rubber industry.