8108.20.00 - Unwrought titanium; powders

This category, HTS 8108.20.00, encompasses unwrought titanium and titanium powders. Unwrought titanium refers to titanium in its primary, unrefined state, typically produced through processes like the Kroll process, resulting in forms such as sponge, ingots, or semi-finished products prior to further fabrication. Titanium powders, characterized by their finely divided particulate form, are also included here, intended for various applications including powder metallurgy.

It is crucial to distinguish this category from its sibling, 8108.30.00.00, which specifically covers waste and scrap of titanium. While both deal with titanium material, 8108.20.00.00 focuses on virgin, unprocessed or minimally processed forms, whereas the sibling category pertains to discarded or reclaimed titanium.

Within this unwrought and powder classification, further subdivisions exist to refine classification. Subcategory 8108.20.00.10 specifically addresses titanium sponge, a porous form of titanium metal produced by reducing titanium tetrachloride. The remaining "Other" subcategories under 8108.20.00.00 are designed to capture other forms of unwrought titanium and titanium powders not specifically enumerated, allowing for precise classification based on the specific product's characteristics and production method.