8480.60.00.10 - Injection or compression types

This HTS subheading, 8480.60.00.10, specifically classifies molds designed for mineral materials, including those used for glass, ceramics, cement, and other inorganic substances. These molds are integral to the manufacturing processes of a wide range of products derived from these materials, encompassing items like tiles, bricks, glassware, sanitary ware, and decorative cast mineral components. The classification hinges on the primary intended use of the mold – the shaping of mineral-based raw materials or semi-finished goods.

This category is distinguished from its sibling, 8480.60.00.90 ("Other types"), by its exclusive focus on mineral materials. While the broader category of molds for mineral materials encompasses a variety of shaping tools, this subheading isolates those specifically engineered for the properties and processing requirements of inorganic compounds and minerals. The distinction is critical for accurate tariff assessment based on the material being molded.

As this is a leaf node within the HTS structure, there are no further subcategories under 8480.60.00.10. Therefore, the classification is definitive for molds utilized in the production of articles from mineral materials that do not fall under other, more specific HTS provisions. Classification at this level relies on confirming that the mold's design and intended application are solely for mineral substances, as opposed to metals, rubber, or plastics, which are categorized elsewhere in heading 8480.