4416.00 - Casks, barrels, vats, tubs and other coopers' products and parts thereof, of wood, including staves:

This HTS classification, under heading 4416.00, specifically addresses coopers' products and their components manufactured from wood. This includes a broad range of wooden containers such as casks, barrels, vats, and tubs, designed for storage, transportation, or fermentation. Crucially, this heading also encompasses essential parts of these wooden vessels, notably staves (the curved wooden planks forming the sides of a barrel) and hoops (rings used to bind the staves).

Distinguishing this category from its siblings at the same level is critical. While other headings within Chapter 44 may also concern wood and articles of wood, 4416.00 is dedicated solely to the specialized products of coopering. Unlike more general woodworking categories, the items classified here are characterized by their specific form and function as vessels, often requiring specialized construction techniques.

The subcategories within 4416.00 further refine the classification based on the specific type of coopers' product or component. 4416.00.30 covers the finished vessels themselves, such as completed casks, barrels, and hogsheads. 4416.00.60 isolates specific components like staves and hoops, as well as tight barrelheads made from softwood, recognizing their distinct trade and handling characteristics. Finally, 4416.00.90 serves as a residual category for any other coopers' products or parts of wood not otherwise specified.