4002 - Synthetic rubber and factice derived from oils, in primary forms or in plates, sheets or strip; mixtures of any product of heading 4001 with any product of this heading, in primary forms or in plates, sheets or strip:

Heading 4002 encompasses a broad range of synthetic rubbers and factice, which is a rubber-like material derived from oils. This category specifically includes these materials when they are in their primary forms, such as bales, granules, or powders, or when processed into plates, sheets, or strip. It also covers mixtures of synthetic rubbers classified under this heading with natural rubber or similar vulcanized raw materials falling under heading 4001, provided these mixtures are also in primary forms or in plates, sheets, or strip.

Unlike sibling categories at the HTS Database Root level, which deal with entirely different product groups like live animals or other raw materials, heading 4002 focuses exclusively on specific types of processed rubber. It is distinct from heading 4001, which is dedicated to natural rubber and similar gums. The critical differentiator for 4002 is the synthetic origin of the rubber or its derivation from oils (factice), and its subsequent presentation in specific physical forms.

Within heading 4002, further subdivisions exist to classify specific types of synthetic rubber based on their chemical composition and properties. These subcategories allow for detailed classification of popular synthetic rubbers such as styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR), butadiene rubber (BR), isobutene-isoprene rubber (butyl rubber), chloroprene rubber (CR), acrylonitrile-butadiene rubber (NBR), isoprene rubber (IR), and ethylene-propylene-nonconjugated diene rubber (EPDM). Additionally, there are provisions for mixtures of products from heading 4001 with products of heading 4002, and an "Other" category to capture any remaining synthetic rubbers not specifically enumerated.