7312.10.50.00 - Fitted with fittings or made up into articles

This HTS category, 7312.10.50.00, specifically covers ropes, cables, and cordage made from iron or steel, *other than* stranded wire, which are fitted with fittings or otherwise made up into articles. This distinction is crucial; it means the products are not merely loose lengths of rope or cable but have undergone further processing to become functional components or finished goods. Examples include pre-assembled mooring lines with thimbles and eyes, specialized lifting slings with hooks, or cables integrated with specific connectors for mechanical applications. The "fitted with fittings or made up into articles" clause signifies the addition of terminal elements, couplings, or other accessories that define the article's ultimate use.

The primary differentiator for this subcategory lies in the presence of integrated fittings or its pre-assembly into a specific article. It is distinguished from the sibling category 7312.10.60, which covers "Other" ropes, cables, and cordage of stainless steel not otherwise specified or made up. If a rope or cable is simply a plain length of stainless steel, it would fall under the "Other" category. However, once fittings such as clamps, swages, ferrules, or specific termination hardware are permanently affixed, or if the cable is woven into a sling or harness, it is classified under 7312.10.50.00.

As this is a leaf node within the HTS classification system, there are no further subcategories to introduce. Classification at this level requires careful examination of whether the stainless steel rope, cable, or cordage has been modified beyond a simple length by the addition of fittings or assembly into a distinct article for a specific purpose. The focus is on the transformation of the raw material into a ready-to-use component.