4004.00.00.00 - Waste, parings and scrap of rubber (other than hard rubber) and powders and granules obtained therefrom

This HTS category, 4004.00.00.00, encompasses waste, parings, scrap, powders, and granules derived from rubber, specifically excluding hard rubber. This includes materials that are no longer suitable for their original intended use due to damage, wear, or manufacturing imperfections, as well as processed forms of these rubber materials that are typically used as raw material for further manufacturing. Examples include shredded tire rubber, offcuts from rubber sheeting, and finely ground rubber particles.

Distinguishing this category from its siblings at the root level is straightforward, as they primarily concern live animals. Within Chapter 40, however, it is crucial to differentiate this classification from other rubber categories. Unlike finished or semi-finished rubber articles (e.g., tires, hoses, footwear) which are classified in subsequent headings, 4004.00.00.00 is strictly for the residual or processed forms of rubber used as feedstock. It also differs from natural rubber in its raw form (e.g., latex or unvulcanized sheets), which is generally classified under a separate heading.

As this is a leaf node, there are no further subcategories within HTS code 4004.00.00.00. The classification therefore rests solely on identifying the material as waste, scrap, powder, or granules obtained from non-hard rubber. The key classification criteria will be the physical form of the material and its origin from rubber materials that are not classified as hard rubber.