8309 - Stoppers, caps and lids (including crown corks, screw caps and pouring stoppers), capsules for bottles, threaded bungs, bung covers, seals and other packing accessories, and parts thereof, of base metal:

Heading 8309 encompasses a diverse range of closures and accessories for containers, all manufactured from base metals. This category specifically includes items designed to seal, cap, or close bottles, jars, cans, and other receptacles. Examples include traditional crown corks used on beverage bottles, screw caps for various containers, and threaded bungs that provide a secure seal for barrels or drums. It also covers a variety of related packing accessories such as capsules for bottles, bung covers, and general seals, as well as any component parts of these items.

When classifying within Heading 8309, it is important to distinguish these metal closures and packing accessories from other categories at the same level. For instance, while Heading 8309 covers metal closures, other headings within Section XV might deal with the raw base metals themselves (e.g., Chapter 72 for iron and steel, Chapter 74 for copper) or finished articles made from base metal but not intended as closures or packing accessories (e.g., tools, cutlery, hardware). The key differentiator for 8309 is the function of sealing or closing a container.

Within Heading 8309, two main subcategories exist to further refine classification. Subheading 8309.10.00.00 specifically addresses "Crown corks (including crown seals and caps), and parts thereof." This clearly delineates the common beverage bottle closure from other types of closures. The residual subheading, 8309.90.00, titled "Other," serves as a catch-all for all other stoppers, caps, lids, capsules, bungs, covers, seals, and packing accessories falling under the scope of Heading 8309 that are not specifically identified as crown corks. This structure allows for precise classification of the wide array of sealing and packing items made from base metal.