4601 - Plaits and similar products of plaiting materials, whether or not assembled into strips; plaiting materials, plaits and similar products of plaiting materials, bound together in parallel strands or woven, in sheet form, whether or not being finished articles (for example, mats, matting, screens):
Sub-classifications
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4601 21
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4601 22
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4601 29
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Overview
Chapter 46 of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS) encompasses a wide array of manufactured goods derived from natural plaiting materials. HTS Code 4601 specifically covers plaits and similar products formed from these materials, regardless of whether they are assembled into strips. This includes materials that have been bound together in parallel strands or woven into sheet form, even if these form finished articles such as mats, matting, or screens. The key defining characteristic of this heading is the form and construction of the plaiting materials themselves and their initial assembly.
Unlike broader categories of finished goods, HTS 4601 focuses on the intermediate and semi-finished products of plaiting. For instance, while other headings might classify a finished wicker furniture item, this heading addresses the woven or plaited material that would be used to construct such an item. It is crucial to distinguish these articles from raw plaiting materials themselves, which would fall under different classifications. The focus remains on products where the inherent plaiting or weaving structure is evident and constitutes the primary characteristic.
Within HTS 4601, further subdivisions exist to categorize these plaited and woven products. The primary distinctions often lie in whether the product is specifically designed as a mat, matting, or screen, or if it falls into a more general "other" category. This allows for more precise tariff treatment based on the intended end-use and form of the plaiting material. Understanding these subcategories is essential for accurate import and export declarations.