4102 - Raw skins of sheep or lambs (fresh, or salted, dried, limed, pickled or otherwise preserved, but not tanned, parchment- dressed or further prepared), whether or not with wool on or split, other than those excluded by note 1(c) to this chapter:

This HTS category, 4102, encompasses raw sheep and lamb skins that have not undergone further processing such as tanning or parchment dressing. These skins can be in various states, including fresh, salted, dried, limed, or pickled, and may retain their wool or have been split. The key defining characteristic is that they are still in their raw, unprocessed form, preserving the original hide material.

Distinguishing this category from its siblings at the Chapter 41 level is crucial. While other categories within Chapter 41 might cover other types of raw hides and skins (e.g., bovine, equine), 4102 is specifically reserved for sheep and lamb skins. Furthermore, it is distinct from Chapter 43, which deals with furskins, as the skins classified here are not primarily intended for their fur value.

Within this category, further subdivisions exist to differentiate based on the presence of wool. The subcategory "With wool on" addresses skins where the wool has been intentionally left attached, while the "Without wool on" subcategory covers skins that have been de-fleeced or were naturally woolless. This distinction is important for trade and statistical purposes, often reflecting different end-use applications or processing requirements downstream.