7307.21.10.00 - Not machined, not tooled and not otherwise processed after forging

This HTS classification, 7307.21.10.00, specifically covers flanges made from stainless steel that have undergone minimal processing after the forging stage. These flanges are characterized by their unmachined, untooled, and otherwise unprocessed state following forging. This means they retain the approximate form and surface texture resulting directly from the forging operation, without any subsequent cutting, drilling, threading, or polishing that would alter their fundamental shape or finish. Examples include rough, as-forged flanges intended for further finishing by the importer or for applications where such a raw finish is acceptable.

It is crucial to distinguish this category from its sibling, 7307.21.50.00, which covers "Other" stainless steel flanges. While this category is for flanges that are specifically not machined, not tooled, and not otherwise processed after forging, the sibling category would encompass all other stainless steel flanges that do not meet these stringent criteria. This includes flanges that have undergone any form of machining, such as drilling bolt holes, facing surfaces, or threading, or any other secondary processing steps after the initial forging.

As this is a leaf node in the HTS structure, there are no further subcategories to introduce. The classification is definitive at this level, focusing solely on the condition of the stainless steel flange post-forging. Therefore, the key determinant for classification under 7307.21.10.00 is the absence of any significant post-forging manipulation, differentiating it from more finished or semi-finished flange products classified elsewhere.