8112.92.40.00 - Niobium (columbium)

This HTS subcategory, 8112.92.40.00, specifically classifies unwrought niobium, also known as columbium, and its waste and scrap. Niobium is a ductile, greyish, lustrous metal often used in alloys to strengthen steel and in superconducting magnets due to its high melting point and corrosion resistance. The unwrought form signifies material in its basic, raw state, such as ingots, bars, or lumps, prior to further processing into finished goods. Waste and scrap encompass discarded materials or byproducts of niobium manufacturing or utilization, which are also classified here when in their raw, unusable form for direct application.

This classification is distinguished from its siblings by the specific elemental metal it covers. While other categories at this level cover Gallium (8112.92.10.00), Indium (8112.92.30.00), Germanium, and Vanadium (8112.92.70.00), this code is exclusively for niobium. Each of these sibling categories represents distinct base metals with unique properties and applications, necessitating separate tariff classifications for accurate customs valuation and statistical tracking. The "Other" designation at this level indicates that it falls outside of specifically enumerated forms of unwrought metals within the broader Chapter 81.

As this is a leaf node, there are no further subcategories. Therefore, classification within 8112.92.40.00 is definitive once the material is identified as unwrought niobium or its waste and scrap. When classifying, customs officials will consider the physical form and the primary composition to ensure correct entry. The absence of further subdivisions reinforces that the scope of this code is precise and encompasses all forms of unwrought niobium and its relevant waste and scrap.