8401.20.00.00 - Machinery and apparatus for isotopic separation, and parts thereof

This HTS classification, 8401.20.00.00, specifically covers machinery and apparatus designed for the separation of isotopes, along with any of their component parts. This includes equipment used in processes like gaseous diffusion, centrifugation, or electromagnetic separation to isolate specific isotopes from a mix. The primary function of these machines is to achieve a higher concentration of a particular isotope for various industrial, medical, or research applications.

Distinguishing this category from its siblings at the 8401 heading is crucial for accurate classification. While 8401.10.00.00 pertains to complete nuclear reactors, and 8401.30.00.00 covers non-irradiated fuel elements, this heading is strictly for the specialized machinery used in the *separation* of isotopes, not the reactors themselves or the fuel. Furthermore, 8401.40.00.00 is reserved for parts of nuclear reactors, whereas 8401.20.00.00 encompasses both the complete isotopic separation apparatus and its constituent parts.

As this is a leaf node within the HTS, there are no further subcategories for isotopic separation machinery and apparatus. Therefore, classification under 8401.20.00.00 relies on confirming that the machinery's fundamental purpose is the physical separation of isotopes, irrespective of the specific method employed. Examples might include centrifuges used in uranium enrichment or mass spectrometers configured for isotopic analysis.