7304.24.40.10 - Having a wall thickness less than 12.7 mm

This HTS classification, 7304.24.40.10, specifically covers seamless casing pipes made from iron or steel, intended for use in oil and gas drilling operations. The defining characteristic of this subcategory is that the pipe has a wall thickness strictly less than 12.7 mm. These are specialized tubular goods designed to line the borehole, preventing collapse and providing a conduit for extraction.

It is crucial to distinguish this classification from its sibling category, 7304.24.40.20, which covers similar seamless steel casing pipes for oil and gas drilling but are characterized by a wall thickness of 12.7 mm or greater. Therefore, the precise measurement of the pipe's wall thickness is the key determinant in assigning goods to one of these two distinct categories.

As this is a leaf node within the HTS structure, there are no further subcategories. The classification is finalized based on the material (stainless steel), the application (oil and gas drilling casing), the seamless construction, and the specified wall thickness being less than 12.7 mm. Practical examples include a wide range of casing pipes used in exploration and production wells where lighter weight or specific pressure handling requirements dictate a thinner wall.