6504.00 - Hats and other headgear, plaited or made by assembling strips of any material, whether or not lined or trimmed:

Category 6504.00 specifically addresses hats and other headgear that are constructed by plaiting or assembling strips of various materials. This includes items where the material is woven or interlaced in a strip form to create the headwear. The lining or trimming of these articles does not alter their classification under this heading, provided the primary construction method is through the assembly of strips.

This category is distinct from other headgear classifications which might be molded, sewn from fabric pieces, or made from single pieces of material. For instance, knitted or crocheted hats would fall under different headings. Similarly, headgear made from felt or other non-woven materials, or those that are primarily manufactured by molding, are excluded from 6504.00. The key differentiator here is the method of construction – the use of plaited or assembled strips.

Subcategories within 6504.00 further refine the classification based on the specific materials used in the construction of the plaited or strip-assembled headgear. For example, one subcategory (indicated by the blank sub-code) exists for headgear made from vegetable fibers, unspun fibrous vegetable materials, paper yarn, or any combination thereof. This allows for a more precise tariff treatment based on the origin and nature of the materials, particularly concerning renewable or paper-based resources. The "Other" subcategory (6504.00.90) serves to capture all remaining headgear meeting the strip-assembly criteria that are not specifically detailed in the preceding subcategories.