9003 - Frames and mountings for spectacles, goggles or the like, and parts thereof:

HTS 9003 encompasses frames and mountings designed for spectacles, goggles, or similar optical devices, along with their constituent parts. This category is specifically for the structural components that hold lenses and support the eyewear on the wearer's face or head. It is important to distinguish this category from other sections of the HTS that might cover the completed optical devices themselves (such as finished eyeglasses under Chapter 90) or raw materials used in their manufacture.

The scope of 9003 is distinct from sibling categories that may cover entirely different types of products, such as live animals (Chapter 01) or machinery. Within this chapter, HTS 9003 focuses exclusively on the supportive frameworks of eyewear, regardless of the material from which they are constructed (e.g., plastic, metal, wood). This ensures that components dedicated to the structural integrity and fitting of optical lenses are appropriately categorized.

This category is further subdivided to distinguish between complete frames and mountings and their individual parts. The subcategory ": Frames and mountings:" covers fully assembled or partially assembled frames ready for lens insertion, while "9003.90.00.00: Parts" is reserved for individual components such as temples (arms), bridge pieces, front rims, and nose pads that are not yet assembled into a functional frame. This detailed breakdown allows for precise classification based on the degree of assembly and the specific function of the item.