8448.51.10.00 - Latch needles

This category specifically encompasses **latch needles**, a crucial component in knitting machinery. These needles are characterized by a small, pivoting latch at their tip, which is essential for loop formation during the knitting process. Latch needles are used in various types of knitting machines, including circular and flat knitting machines, to produce a wide range of knitted fabrics and garments. Their design allows for the automatic manipulation of yarn to create interlinked loops that form the fabric structure.

While this heading covers needles for knitting machines, it distinguishes itself from its sibling categories by focusing solely on the latch mechanism. For instance, the sibling category 8448.51.20.00 covers "spring-beard needles," which utilize a different mechanism for loop formation and are used in different types of knitting applications. This distinction is critical for accurate tariff classification, as the specific design and function of the needle dictate its proper placement within the HTS.

As a leaf node, 8448.51.10.00 does not have further subdivisions. Therefore, classification within this code relies on identifying the article as a latch needle used in knitting machines and differentiating it from other types of knitting needles based on its unique construction and operational principle. The primary classification criterion is the presence of the characteristic latch mechanism that defines its purpose and function in fabric production.