8549.21.00.00 - Containing primary cells, primary batteries, electric accumulators, mercury-switches, glass from cathode-ray tubes or other activated glass, or electrical or electronic components containing cadmium, mercury, lead or polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs)

HTS Code 8549.21.00.00 specifically designates waste and scrap of electrical and electronic equipment that is *of a kind used principally for the recovery of precious metals*. This classification encompasses items containing primary cells, primary batteries, electric accumulators, mercury-switches, glass from cathode-ray tubes or other activated glass, or electrical and electronic components that inherently contain cadmium, mercury, lead, or polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). The defining characteristic for classification under this heading is the material composition and the primary intended purpose of the waste or scrap, which is the extraction of valuable precious metals.

This category is distinct from its sibling, 8549.29.00.00, which covers "Other" waste and scrap of electrical and electronic equipment. While 8549.21.00.00 focuses on items specifically valued for their precious metal content, 8549.29.00.00 would apply to other categories of electrical and electronic waste and scrap that do not meet the precious metal recovery criterion, such as general plastic or base metal components without significant precious metal value.

As this is a leaf node within the HTS, there are no further subcategories. Therefore, the classification hinges entirely on the determination that the primary purpose of the waste or scrap is the recovery of precious metals. Examples might include discarded printed circuit boards with high concentrations of gold, silver, or platinum, or spent batteries specifically designed for the recovery of valuable battery metals.