4403 - Wood in the rough, whether or not stripped of bark or sap- wood, or roughly squared:
Sub-classifications
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4403 1100
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4403 1200
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Overview
HTS category 4403 encompasses raw wood in its unmanufactured state, prior to significant processing. This includes timber that has been felled but not yet sawn into lumber or shaped into finished products. The description allows for the removal of bark and sapwood, as well as rough squaring of the log. Essentially, this classification covers the initial stage of wood processing, where the material is still in its basic, unprocessed form, suitable for further fabrication.
This category is distinguished from other HTS chapters and headings by its focus on raw, unworked wood. Unlike headings for sawn wood (Chapter 44, but further down), wood articles (Chapter 44), or wood charcoal (also within Chapter 44), 4403 specifically pertains to wood that has not undergone significant shaping or treatment beyond rough preparation for subsequent use. Its siblings, found in other primary HTS chapters, cover a vast range of entirely different goods, such as live animals (Chapter 01), mineral products, or processed foodstuffs, making direct comparison unnecessary.
Within HTS 4403, further subdivisions exist to categorize this raw wood based on specific treatments or wood types. These subcategories include wood treated with preservatives like paint, stain, or creosote, which alters its intended use and durability. Other subcategories differentiate between coniferous and non-coniferous woods, and specifically address tropical hardwoods. These distinctions are crucial for customs purposes, as they can affect import duties, regulations, and trade statistics.