7608.10.00 - Of aluminum, not alloyed

This HTS category, 7608.10.00, specifically covers tubes and pipes manufactured from aluminum that is not alloyed. This means the material composition must be predominantly pure aluminum, without the addition of other metals to alter its properties. These items are typically characterized by their hollow cylindrical shape and are utilized in a wide array of industrial, commercial, and consumer applications where the corrosion resistance and light weight of unalloyed aluminum are advantageous. Examples include certain types of conduit, heat exchanger tubing, and basic plumbing components made from pure aluminum.

It is crucial to distinguish this category from its sibling, 7608.20.00, which covers tubes and pipes made from aluminum alloys. The primary distinction lies in the material composition. While this category is for unalloyed aluminum, 7608.20.00 applies to aluminum that has been combined with one or more other elements (such as copper, magnesium, silicon, or zinc) to enhance its strength, hardness, or other mechanical properties. Therefore, accurate classification hinges on the precise metallurgical makeup of the aluminum used in the manufacture of the tube or pipe.

Within this category for unalloyed aluminum tubes and pipes, further subdivisions exist to refine classification. Subcategory 7608.10.00.30 covers seamless products, meaning they are manufactured without a welded seam. Conversely, subcategory 7608.10.00.90 encompasses all "other" tubes and pipes of unalloyed aluminum, which would include those manufactured through processes that result in a welded seam. This distinction allows for more granular tracking and statistical analysis of different manufacturing methods within the pure aluminum tube and pipe market.