4403.26.01.55 - Western red cedar (Thuja plicata)

This HTS category specifically covers Western red cedar (Thuja plicata) in its rough, unworked state. This includes logs and timber that have not undergone significant processing beyond the initial felling and potentially debarking or rough squaring. The material at this level is still considered raw wood, intended for further manufacturing or use where its natural form is retained.

Distinguishing this category from its siblings is crucial for accurate classification. While all are coniferous logs and timber, this node is exclusively for Western red cedar. It differs from Douglas-fir (4403.26.01.40) and Western hemlock (4403.26.01.50), as well as the broader "Other hemlock" (4403.26.01.52) and "Other cedar" (4403.26.01.57) classifications. The defining characteristic here is the species identification as *Thuja plicata*. The "Other" category (4403.26.01.64) serves as a residual for coniferous logs and timber not meeting the specific species descriptions above.

As this is a leaf node within the HTS structure, there are no further subcategories to introduce. Classification at this point is definitive for Western red cedar logs and timber, meaning imports and exports of this specific species in this rough form will be assigned this precise code. The focus for classification professionals is therefore on correctly identifying the species to ensure adherence to this precise designation.