4114.10.00.00 - Chamois (including combination chamois) leather

This HTS category, 4114.10.00.00, specifically covers chamois leather. Chamois is a soft, absorbent type of leather traditionally made from the skin of the chamois antelope, although today it is more commonly produced from sheep or lambskin that has been heavily processed to achieve its characteristic properties. Combination chamois, also included here, refers to leather where a chamois-like finish has been applied to another type of leather through mechanical or chemical treatment, resulting in a similar feel and absorbency. The key differentiating factor for this classification is the unique supple, porous, and absorbent nature of the finished leather.

This category is distinguished from its sibling category, 4114.20, which encompasses patent leather, patent laminated leather, and metallized leather. Unlike chamois, patent leather is characterized by a highly polished, glossy finish achieved through the application of a plastic coating, which makes it impermeable. Metallized leather, also in the sibling category, has been treated with metallic particles or coatings to create a metallic appearance. Therefore, the primary distinction lies in the surface finish and the resulting properties of the leather, with chamois emphasizing absorbency and a natural, matte feel, while patent and metallized leathers focus on a glossy or metallic aesthetic.

As this is a leaf node in the HTS database, there are no further subcategories under 4114.10.00.00. Classification within this code relies on confirming the product meets the definition of chamois leather or a combination chamois. This typically involves examining the material's softness, absorbency, and the production process used to achieve these characteristics, differentiating it from other finished leather types.