4412.31 - With at least one outer ply of tropical wood:
Sub-classifications
Overview
This HTS category, 4412.31, encompasses plywood and similar laminated wood products where at least one of the outer plies is made from tropical wood. Tropical wood is generally defined as wood from tree species native to the tropical regions of the world. The plywood must consist solely of sheets of wood (excluding bamboo), with each individual ply not exceeding 6 millimeters in thickness. This classification is a subset of other plywoods, specifically those not solely composed of coniferous wood or certain specified nonconiferous species.
The primary distinction of 4412.31 from its sibling categories lies in the material of its outer ply. It is differentiated from 4412.33 and 4412.34, which specify plywood with outer plies made from particular nonconiferous wood species or other nonconiferous woods not listed, respectively. Furthermore, it is distinct from 4412.39, which covers plywood where both outer plies are made from coniferous wood. The defining characteristic here is the inclusion of tropical wood on the exterior surface of the plywood.
Within this category, further subdivisions exist based on the surface treatment of the plywood. One subcategory addresses plywood that is not surface covered, or is covered with a clear or transparent material that does not conceal the natural grain, texture, or markings of the face ply. The other subcategory encompasses all other plywoods within 4412.31, implying those with surface treatments that go beyond mere protection or clear coatings, potentially including decorative veneers, laminates, or paints that obscure the underlying wood grain.