8108.90.60.20 - Blooms, sheet bars, and slabs

This HTS classification, 8108.90.60.20, specifically designates blooms, sheet bars, and slabs of titanium. These are semi-finished forms of titanium that have undergone initial casting or rolling processes. Blooms are typically square or rectangular in cross-section and are intended for further processing into other shapes. Sheet bars are narrower and thicker than blooms, designed for rolling into sheets. Slabs are broad, flat, and relatively thin, serving as the precursor for plates and sheets.

This category is distinguished from its siblings by its focus on these specific initial stages of titanium metal processing. For instance, 8108.90.60.31 covers more finished products like bars, rods, profiles, and wire, which are generally more refined than blooms. Similarly, 8108.90.60.45 encompasses plates, sheets, strips, and foil, representing a further stage of processing from slabs. 8108.90.60.60 deals with finished hollow forms such as tubes and pipes.

As this node is a leaf node within the HTS structure, there are no further subcategories for this specific classification. Therefore, the distinction from sibling categories becomes paramount for accurate classification. Importers and exporters should carefully examine the physical form of the titanium article, focusing on whether it meets the definition of a bloom, sheet bar, or slab as opposed to a more finished or differently processed form. The primary classification criterion here is the semi-finished state of the titanium metal and its specific geometric form.