7601 - Unwrought aluminum:

This HTS category, 7601, encompasses unwrought aluminum in its primary, unmanufactured forms. This includes aluminum that has been smelted and cast into basic shapes but has not yet undergone further processing, such as rolling, extruding, or drawing, into finished or semi-finished products. Typical forms covered here are ingots, billets, slabs, and sows, ready for subsequent fabrication into various aluminum articles.

When classifying goods within Section XV, it is crucial to differentiate this category from other base metals. Unlike categories such as Chapter 72 (Iron and Steel) or Chapter 74 (Copper), 7601 specifically pertains to aluminum. Furthermore, within the broader context of unwrought forms, this category excludes aluminum that has been significantly alloyed with other metals to the extent that it fundamentally changes its properties beyond simple additions for minor enhancements, which would be classified elsewhere if it were wrought.

The subcategories within 7601 provide a crucial distinction based on the composition of the unwrought aluminum. **7601.10 Aluminum, not alloyed** covers pure aluminum, generally defined as containing at least 99% aluminum by weight. This is contrasted with **7601.20 Aluminum alloys**, which include aluminum combined with one or more other metallic elements to improve its characteristics, such as strength, hardness, or corrosion resistance. This distinction is vital for customs purposes as different alloys may have varying trade implications.