8105.30.00.00 - Waste and scrap

This HTS category, 8105.30.00.00, specifically covers waste and scrap of cobalt and cobalt alloys. This includes materials that are no longer fit for their original purpose and are intended for reprocessing, remelting, or recycling. Examples may include used cobalt tools, discarded cobalt-containing catalysts, or fragmented cobalt metal parts that have been rendered unusable in their original form. The key criterion for inclusion here is the condition of the material as "waste and scrap," signifying its recovery and reuse potential.

Distinguishing this category from its sibling, 8105.20, is crucial. While 8105.20 encompasses refined cobalt products such as mattes, intermediate metallurgical products, unwrought cobalt, and powders intended for further manufacturing or direct use, 8105.30.00.00 focuses exclusively on materials that have reached the end of their initial lifecycle and are categorized as waste. Therefore, products that are intentionally manufactured in a powdered form for specific applications would fall under 8105.20, whereas cobalt dust generated as a byproduct of machining would be classified here as waste.

As this is a leaf node within the HTS structure, there are no further subcategories for this specific classification. The distinction and definition provided under 8105.30.00.00 are therefore the most granular level for classifying cobalt waste and scrap. Classification professionals should consider the material's composition and its nature as recovered or discarded material to ensure accurate classification within this dedicated category.