4102.21.00 - Pickled

This HTS category, 4102.21.00, specifically covers raw skins of sheep or lambs that have undergone a pickling process for preservation. Pickling involves treating the skins with a solution of salt and acid, such as sulfuric or hydrochloric acid, to prevent putrefaction and prepare them for further processing or tanning. These pickled skins may be presented with or without wool, and can also be split. Crucially, at this stage, they are not yet tanned, parchment-dressed, or otherwise prepared beyond the pickling treatment.

Within the broader classification of raw sheep and lamb skins, 4102.21.00 distinguishes itself from its sibling category, 4102.29 ("Other"). While 4102.29 would encompass pickled sheep and lamb skins that do not meet the specific criteria for being "without wool on" or that have undergone other preservation methods not explicitly defined as pickling, this category is precisely for those treated with acid and salt. The primary distinction lies in the specific preservation method and the potential presence of wool.

The subcategories under 4102.21.00 further refine the classification based on physical preparation. 4102.21.00.65, "Not split," applies to pickled sheep and lamb skins that remain as whole hides. Conversely, 4102.21.00.95, "Other," would cover those skins that have been split into different layers, offering a finer level of detail for customs purposes depending on the specific trade scenario.