5602 - Felt, whether or not impregnated, coated, covered or laminated:

This HTS category, 5602, encompasses felt and felt materials. This includes a broad range of products manufactured by entangling fibers, either mechanically (through needling or stitch-bonding), thermally, or chemically, to form a coherent web. The material can be in its raw form or undergo further processing such as impregnation, coating, covering, or lamination with other materials like rubber, plastics, or paper. These treatments are applied to enhance specific properties like water resistance, strength, or appearance.

Unlike sibling categories within Section XI that cover different textile constructions (e.g., woven fabrics, knits, or yarns), Chapter 56 focuses on specific methods of fabric formation that result in a non-woven structure. This category is distinct from other nonwovens that may be produced by different processes or are specifically classified elsewhere if they are part of an end-product (e.g., clothing or accessories).

The subcategories under 5602 differentiate felt based on its processing and construction. 5602.10 specifically addresses needleloom felt and stitch-bonded fiber fabrics, highlighting the mechanical methods used to create these structures. The remaining provisions, such as "Other felt, not impregnated, coated, covered or laminated," and 5602.90 for "Other," then cover felt that does not fall under the needleloom or stitch-bonded classification, and specifically those that have not undergone additional finishing treatments like impregnation or lamination.