4409 - Wood (including strips and friezes for parquet flooring, not assembled) continuously shaped (tongued, grooved, rebated, chamfered, V-jointed, beaded, molded, rounded or the like) along any of its edges, ends or faces, whether or not planed, sanded or end-jointed:
Sub-classifications
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4409 10
Overview
This HTS category, 4409, encompasses wood that has undergone continuous shaping along its edges, ends, or faces. This shaping process includes operations such as tonguing, grooving, rebating, chamfering, V-jointing, beading, molding, or rounding. The wood may also have been planed, sanded, or end-jointed. Importantly, this category includes strips and friezes intended for parquet flooring, provided they are not yet assembled. The defining characteristic is the continuous shaping process applied to otherwise raw or semi-finished wood.
Distinguishing HTS 4409 from its sibling categories at the Section IX level involves recognizing the specific processing and intended use. Unlike raw lumber or basic wood products classified elsewhere, HTS 4409 specifically targets wood that has been mechanically worked to create interlocking or decorative profiles. It is also differentiated from finished articles of wood, as the products within this category are typically components for further assembly or installation, such as flooring elements.
Within HTS 4409, further subdivisions are made based on the type of wood. The subcategories differentiate between coniferous (softwood) and nonconiferous (hardwood) species. This distinction is important for tariff purposes, as different wood types may be subject to varying import duties and trade regulations. Understanding whether the continuously shaped wood is derived from coniferous or nonconiferous species is a key step in accurate classification.