4409.22.50.60 - Obeche (Triplochiton spp.), also known as Ayous

This HTS classification, 4409.22.50.60, specifically covers Obeche wood, also known by its trade name Ayous, when it has been continuously shaped along its edges, ends, or faces. This shaping can include processes such as tonguing, grooving, rebating, chamfering, V-jointing, beading, molding, or rounding, and the wood may also be planed or sanded. Obeche is a specific species of tropical wood (Triplochiton spp.) prized for its lightweight and consistent texture, making it suitable for various woodworking applications.

Distinguishing this category from its siblings, 4409.22.50.20 (Durian wood) and 4409.22.50.40 (Jelutong wood), lies in the precise botanical identification of the tropical wood species. While all fall under the broader category of continuously shaped nonconiferous tropical wood, 4409.22.50.60 is exclusively for Obeche (Ayous). The "Other" sibling category, 4409.22.50.90, serves as a residual classification for any other tropical woods not specifically listed but fitting the general criteria of continuously shaped wood moldings.

As this classification represents a leaf node within the HTS structure, there are no further subcategories. Therefore, the focus remains on the precise identification and shaping characteristics of Obeche wood to ensure accurate customs declaration. Importers and exporters should verify that the wood in question is indeed Obeche (Triplochiton spp.) and that it meets the continuously shaped criteria outlined in the parent heading to fall under this specific tariff line.