7503.00.00.00 - Nickel waste and scrap

Category 7503.00.00.00 specifically covers nickel waste and scrap. This classification is intended for materials that are no longer in their original usable form due to breakage, obsolescence, wear, or manufacturing byproducts, and are primarily destined for remelting or recycling into new nickel products. It encompasses discarded nickel articles that have reached the end of their useful life, as well as the residues and byproducts generated during nickel processing and fabrication.

This category is distinct from other categories within Section XV, which covers base metals and articles thereof. For instance, it differentiates from the unwrought forms of nickel (e.g., ingots, powders) which are classified under Chapter 75 but represent primary metal products rather than recycled material. It also stands apart from finished articles of nickel, which would be classified under different headings based on their specific form and function. The key distinguishing factor for 7503.00.00.00 is the material's status as waste or scrap, intended for reprocessing.

As this is a leaf node within the HTS structure, there are no further subdivisions under 7503.00.00.00. Therefore, the focus is on the broad definition of nickel waste and scrap. Classification within this heading relies on the material's composition being predominantly nickel, and its condition indicating it is a discard intended for recycling, rather than a usable product in its current state. Examples could include discarded nickel plating, worn-out nickel-containing alloys, or offcuts from nickel sheet production.