7614 - Stranded wire, cables, plaited bands and the like, including slings and similar articles, of aluminum, not electrically insulated:

This HTS category, 7614, encompasses a specific range of aluminum articles that are not electrically insulated. It includes products formed by twisting together multiple strands of aluminum wire or cable, creating a more robust and flexible structure than solid wire. Examples include stranded aluminum wire used for guy wires, fencing, or structural support, as well as plaited bands and similar articles. The key characteristic is that these are assembled from multiple aluminum strands and are not designed for electrical insulation purposes, distinguishing them from insulated cables.

While the broader Section XV deals with base metals and their articles, and Chapter 76 specifically addresses aluminum, category 7614 focuses on fabricated aluminum forms derived from wires and strands. It's important to differentiate these stranded products from solid aluminum wires (which would fall under earlier headings within Chapter 76) or finished articles of aluminum that are cast, pressed, or extruded into different shapes (covered by other headings). The "not electrically insulated" clause is crucial for exclusion, ensuring that power transmission cables or telecommunication wires made of aluminum are classified elsewhere.

Within HTS 7614, two primary subcategories exist to further refine classification based on construction. Subcategory 7614.10 specifically covers stranded wire and cables that incorporate a steel core for added strength and durability. This core provides enhanced tensile properties, often for applications requiring greater load-bearing capacity. The remaining products, those that are stranded or plaited from aluminum but do not contain a steel core, are classified under the broader subcategory 7614.90, "Other." This distinction allows for more precise tariff application based on the internal structure and material composition of the aluminum strandings.