5302 - True hemp (Cannabis sativa L.), raw or processed but not spun; tow and waste of true hemp (including yarn waste and garnetted stock):

This HTS category, 5302, encompasses true hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) in its raw or processed forms, provided it has not yet been spun into yarn. This includes the initial stages of hemp fiber preparation, such as retted hemp, and also covers waste materials derived from true hemp, including yarn waste and garnetted stock. The key characteristic defining this classification is the material itself being true hemp and its state of processing, which excludes spun fibers and finished textile products.

Unlike sibling categories within Section XI which deal with other vegetable fibers, paper yarn, or other materials entirely, HTS 5302 is specifically dedicated to the versatile hemp plant. It differentiates from subsequent classifications within Chapter 53 which would cover spun hemp yarns and woven fabrics made from such yarns. The distinction lies in the stage of manufacture; this category focuses on the fiber and its immediate derivatives before spinning.

Within HTS 5302, two primary subcategories exist to further refine classification based on processing. HTS 5302.10.00.00 specifically addresses true hemp that is either raw or has undergone retting, a process of softening the fibers. The remaining hemp materials, including all forms of processed hemp that are not raw or retted, and all waste products of true hemp, fall under HTS 5302.90.00.00, providing a comprehensive grouping for materials beyond the initial raw and retted stages.