5604 - Rubber thread and cord, textile covered; textile yarn, and strip and the like of heading 5404 or 5405, impregnated, coated, covered or sheathed with rubber or plastics:

HTS Code 5604 encompasses a specific range of textile materials that have been enhanced with rubber or plastics. This category primarily deals with textile yarns, threads, cords, strips, and similar articles that are impregnated, coated, covered, or sheathed with rubber or plastics. A key distinction is the combination of textile with these elastomeric or polymeric substances, which modifies their properties for various industrial and consumer applications. This includes, but is not limited to, rubber thread and cord that are textile-covered, intended for use in applications requiring elasticity and durability.

When considering HTS 5604, it's important to differentiate it from other categories within Chapter 56, which covers a broad spectrum of textile materials. Unlike wadding, felt, or nonwovens (e.g., 5601-5603), or other special yarns and cordage not explicitly covered by this heading (e.g., certain natural or synthetic yarns), HTS 5604 specifically mandates the presence of rubber or plastics as an integral component or covering. Its scope is narrower than general textile materials and focuses on composite articles where the rubber or plastic coating fundamentally alters the textile's function and characteristics.

Within HTS 5604, two primary subdivisions exist to further refine classification. The first, 5604.10.00.00, specifically identifies textile-covered rubber thread and cord. The second, designated as "Other," serves as a catch-all for various textile yarns, strips, and similar articles from headings 5404 or 5405 that are impregnated, coated, covered, or sheathed with rubber or plastics, but do not fit the description of the textile-covered rubber thread and cord. This distinction allows for precise categorization based on the specific form and intended application of the rubber or plastic-enhanced textile product.