9001.10.00.50 - Plastic optical fibers

This HTS category, 9001.10.00.50, specifically covers plastic optical fibers. These are flexible strands made primarily of plastic material designed to transmit light signals. They are utilized for various applications where data or light needs to be conveyed efficiently, such as in telecommunications, networking, lighting, and sensor technology. The classification hinges on the material composition being plastic rather than glass.

Distinguishing this category from its sibling, 9001.10.00.70 ("Other"), is crucial for accurate classification. While both fall under the broader umbrella of "Optical fibers," the ".50" designation is exclusive to those constructed with plastic as the core transmission medium. The "Other" category would encompass any optical fibers that do not meet the specific criteria of plastic composition, potentially including those made of glass or composite materials not explicitly defined elsewhere.

As this is a leaf node within the HTS, there are no further subcategories. Therefore, classification under 9001.10.00.50 relies solely on verifying that the imported product is an optical fiber whose primary light-guiding material is plastic. The distinction from other optical fiber types is the key determinant for use of this specific code.