8001 - Unwrought tin:

Category 8001 encompasses unwrought tin, which is tin in its raw, unrefined form before being further processed or manufactured into finished goods. This includes tin that has been smelted and cast into ingots, pigs, blocks, or similar basic shapes, ready for subsequent industrial use. The key characteristic is its state of being "unwrought," signifying it has not yet undergone significant fabrication or assembly.

This category is distinct from other HTS headings at the same level which cover a broad spectrum of goods, from live animals in Chapter 01 to various other base metals and their articles in different sections. Within Section XV, Chapter 80 specifically deals with tin and its associated products. Category 8001 serves as the foundational classification for tin in its most rudimentary, unprocessed metallic state, setting it apart from refined tin articles or alloys classified elsewhere.

Category 8001 is further subdivided to distinguish between pure tin and tin alloys. Subcategory 8001.10.00.00 covers unwrought tin that is not alloyed with other metals, meaning it consists of tin at a high percentage of purity. In contrast, subcategory 8001.20.00 addresses unwrought tin that has been intentionally mixed with other base metals to create tin alloys, reflecting a difference in material composition that dictates specific customs treatment.