4402 - Wood charcoal (including shell or nut charcoal), whether or not agglomerated:

HTS code 4402 encompasses wood charcoal, which is produced from the destructive distillation of wood. This category also extends to charcoal derived from shells or nuts, and includes products where such charcoal has been agglomerated, or formed into solid masses, through processes like briquetting. The primary characteristic of goods classified here is their carbonized nature, typically used as fuel, for filtration, or in various industrial and artistic applications.

Unlike sibling categories found within the broader HTS structure, such as live animals (Chapter 01) or chapters dealing with other raw materials, HTS 4402 is specifically dedicated to carbonized wood and related materials. Its placement within Section IX, "Wood and Articles of Wood; Wood Charcoal," clearly segregates it from entirely different material types and emphasizes its origin from woody biomass.

This classification is further refined through its subcategories. The most specific subdivisions within 4402 are based on the source material of the charcoal. This includes charcoal derived from bamboo (4402.10), charcoal produced from shells or nuts (4402.20), and a residual category for all other types of wood charcoal (4402.90). These distinctions are crucial for importers and exporters to accurately declare the specific nature of the charcoal being traded, impacting duties and regulatory requirements.