6809 - Articles of plaster or of compositions based on plaster:

This HTS category, 6809, encompasses a broad range of articles fabricated primarily from plaster or compositions where plaster is the dominant binding agent. This includes items such as plasterboard, plaster panels, plaster tiles, and other decorative or structural elements that are molded or shaped from plaster. The key defining characteristic is the material composition; goods primarily made from other mineral substances like cement (Chapter 6807) or asbestos (Chapter 6812) would not fall under this heading.

Unlike sibling categories at the chapter level which may cover live animals, prepared foodstuffs, or textiles, HTS 6809 is specifically focused on manufactured articles derived from mineral materials. Within Section XIII, it distinguishes itself from Chapter 6808, which covers prefabricated structural components made of vegetable matter and mineral binders like plaster or cement. The primary differentiator here lies in the dominant raw material and the finished product's intended use, with 6809 focusing on plaster-based products rather than composite structures.

The subcategories within 6809 serve to delineate further based on the form and ornamentation of the plaster articles. The primary distinction is between specifically shaped or ornamented items and those that are simpler in form. "Boards, sheets, panels, tiles and similar articles, not ornamented" captures basic construction or finishing elements, while "Other articles" covers a wider array of plaster goods that may be more complex, decorative, or intended for specific applications not covered by the more defined subheadings.