7401.00.00.00 - Copper mattes; cement copper (precipitated copper)

This HTS category, 7401.00.00.00, specifically covers copper mattes and cement copper. Copper mattes are intermediate products of copper smelting, typically containing copper sulfides and other metals. Cement copper, also known as precipitated copper, is a form of copper produced through a process of cementation, often by displacing it from a solution with a more electropositive metal like iron. These materials represent early stages in the refining process of copper, before the production of refined copper or other fabricated copper articles.

Distinguishing this category from its siblings within Section XV is crucial for accurate classification. While other chapters within Section XV deal with various base metals (e.g., iron, aluminum, lead) and their articles, Chapter 74 is exclusively dedicated to copper. Within Chapter 74, this particular heading focuses on the raw, intermediate forms of copper, differentiating it from refined copper (heading 7403), copper waste and scrap (heading 7404), or manufactured copper articles (which fall under later headings). The key differentiator is the stage of processing and the inherent composition of the material.

As a leaf node, HTS code 7401.00.00.00 does not have further subcategories. Therefore, classification within this heading relies on the precise definition of copper mattes and cement copper. Importers and exporters should ensure that the material being declared precisely matches the characteristics of these intermediate copper products, differentiating them from refined copper metals, alloys, or finished goods, which would be classified under different HTS codes. This heading serves as the entry point for the initial metallurgical forms of copper in the trade flow.