7004.20.20.10 - Measuring less than 5 mm in thickness

This HTS category, 7004.20.20.10, specifically covers drawn or blown glass sheets that are colored throughout the mass, opacified, flashed, or possess an absorbent, reflecting, or non-reflecting layer. The crucial defining characteristic for inclusion in this sub-classification is that the glass measures less than 5 millimeters in thickness. These sheets are not otherwise worked beyond these surface treatments or inherent coloring, meaning they are intended for further processing or direct application as flat glass.

The primary distinction between this category and its sibling, 7004.20.20.20, lies solely in the physical dimension of thickness. While both cover similar types of treated or colored flat glass, this specific code applies only to those sheets that are thinner than 5 mm. This distinction is critical for customs purposes as it may affect duty rates, regulatory requirements, or import/export statistics, reflecting potential differences in manufacturing processes or end-use applications based on the glass's flexibility and fragility.

As this is a leaf node within the HTS, there are no further subcategories. Therefore, classification within 7004.20.20.10 is definitive based on the glass being drawn or blown, having one of the specified surface treatments or inherent coloration, and measuring less than 5 mm in thickness. Examples would include thin, colored float glass used for decorative panels, or glass with a specialized coating for optical applications where a thinner profile is required.