4009.41.00.00 - Without fittings

This HTS category, 4009.41.00.00, specifically covers tubes, pipes, and hoses made from vulcanized rubber, which have been reinforced or combined with other materials. This reinforcement can include textile materials, metals, or plastics, enhancing the strength and durability of the rubber article. The crucial defining characteristic of this subcategory is that these reinforced or combined articles are presented *without* any attached fittings, such as joints, elbows, or flanges.

It is essential to distinguish this category from its sibling, 4009.42.00, which covers identical reinforced or combined tubes, pipes, and hoses, but *with* their fittings already attached. Therefore, the presence or absence of these connecting components is the primary determinant for classifying an article under 4009.41.00.00 versus 4009.42.00. The classification hinges on whether the rubber article is a standalone product or an assembled unit with integrated fittings.

As this is a leaf node in the HTS structure, there are no further subcategories. Classification within this heading requires a thorough examination of the article's construction to confirm it is indeed made of vulcanized rubber, reinforced or combined with other materials, and that no fittings are affixed at the time of importation. Common examples include reinforced industrial hoses for fluid transfer, such as those used in manufacturing or agricultural settings, provided they are not fitted with specialized connectors.