5309.21.40 - Other

This classification pertains to woven fabrics of flax that contain less than 85 percent by weight of flax, are not unbleached or bleached, and fall under the "Other" designation at this level. Specifically, it covers woven flax fabrics that have undergone processes beyond simple bleaching, such as dyeing or printing, and do not fit into more specific sub-classifications within this group. The key criteria are the flax content (less than 85%), a treatment other than basic unbleached or bleached, and its exclusion from more narrowly defined categories.

This category distinguishes itself from its sibling, HTS 5309.21.30, which specifically covers woven flax fabrics also containing less than 85% flax but are explicitly identified as containing cotton and man-made fibers. In contrast, this category encompasses woven flax fabrics where the other fiber content, if any, is not predominantly cotton and man-made fibers, or where the fabric is primarily composed of flax and other vegetable fibers, paper yarn, or is a blend where the non-flax component is not cotton or man-made fibers. The crucial differentiator is the composition beyond flax and the specific processing status.

Within this "Other" category, further distinctions are made based on the fabric's width. Subcategories exist to differentiate between fabrics exceeding 127 cm in width (HTS 5309.21.40.10) and those that do not meet this width criterion or are of other dimensions (HTS 5309.21.40.90). This subdivision accounts for variations in manufacturing and intended end-use, as fabric width can be a significant factor in textile applications and trade.