8480.10.00.00 - Molding boxes for metal foundry

HTS code 8480.10.00.00 specifically encompasses molding boxes, also known as flasks, designed for use in metal foundries. These articles are essential components of the foundry process, serving as the outer framework into which molding sand or other refractory materials are packed to form the mold cavity for molten metal. Their primary function is to contain and support the molding material, ensuring the integrity and shape of the casting.

Distinguishing this category from its siblings, 8480.10.00.00 focuses exclusively on the *boxes* themselves, not the mold bases (8480.20.00.00) which provide structural support or the molding patterns (8480.30.00.00) that create the impression in the molding material. While other categories within 8480.00.00 cover molds for various materials like glass, mineral materials, rubber, or plastics, this specific subcategory is dedicated to the containers used in the context of metal casting and foundry operations.

As this is a leaf node, there are no further subdivisions. Classification under 8480.10.00.00 is determined by the article's form and intended use as a receptacle for molding materials in the metal foundry industry. Common examples include cope and drag flasks, often made of metal (such as iron or steel) or sometimes durable wood or composite materials, designed to be opened and closed repeatedly to facilitate the molding process.