4703.21.00.40 - Bleached

This HTS classification covers coniferous wood pulp that has undergone a bleaching process, as opposed to being unbleached or only semibleached. The bleaching process results in a significantly whiter and purer pulp compared to semibleached grades. This category specifically pertains to soda or sulfate chemical wood pulps, excluding those intended for dissolving grades which are classified elsewhere.

The key differentiator from its sibling category, 4703.21.00.20 (Semibleached), lies in the extent of the chemical treatment applied to remove residual lignin and other impurities, resulting in a higher degree of whiteness and brightness for the pulp classified under 4703.21.00.40. This distinction is important for trade purposes, as bleached pulps often have different applications and market values.

As this is a leaf node within the HTS structure, there are no further subdivisions under this specific code. Therefore, goods falling under 4703.21.00.40 would be directly classified here, provided they meet the criteria of being coniferous, chemically pulped via soda or sulfate methods, and bleached, while not being a dissolving grade. Examples of such pulp would include those used in the manufacture of high-quality paper products, such as printing paper, writing paper, and certain tissue grades where brightness is a primary requirement.