5603.94.10.10 - Of wool or fine animal hair (469)

This HTS category, 5603.94.10.10, specifically classifies nonwoven textile materials that are made of wool or fine animal hair, weigh more than 150 grams per square meter, and are intended for use as floor covering underlays. These underlays are designed to be placed beneath carpets or other floor coverings to provide cushioning, insulation, or to prolong the life of the flooring material. The defining characteristic is the material composition, emphasizing wool or fine animal hair as the primary constituent, which dictates specific performance qualities and customs treatment.

Distinguishing this subcategory from its sibling, 5603.94.10.90 (Other), lies in the specific end-use. While both fall under nonwovens weighing over 150 g/m², this category is exclusively for floor covering underlays. The sibling category would encompass other nonwoven products of wool or fine animal hair exceeding the weight threshold but destined for different applications, such as industrial filters, protective clothing components, or other specialized uses not related to flooring.

As this is a leaf node within the HTS, there are no further subcategories. Therefore, classification is determined by meeting all the preceding criteria: the material being nonwoven, its composition of wool or fine animal hair, its weight exceeding 150 g/m², and its specific function as a floor covering underlay. Importers and exporters must ensure that the goods precisely match these specifications to ensure accurate declaration for customs purposes.