9306.30.41.40 - For rifles or pistols

This HTS classification covers empty cartridge shells specifically designed for use with rifles and pistols. It encompasses the metallic casing or hull of a firearm cartridge that has been fired or is intended to be reloaded, but does not contain a primer, propellant, or projectile. The key defining characteristic for this category is its intended application for small arms like rifles and pistols.

Distinguishing this category from its sibling, 9306.30.41.50 "Other," is crucial. The sibling category would capture empty cartridge shells for firearms not classified as rifles or pistols, such as those for shotguns or other specialized weaponry, or potentially components that are not definitively shells for small arms. Therefore, the primary differentiator lies in the specific type of firearm for which the empty shell is manufactured or intended.

As this is a leaf node in the HTS classification structure, there are no further subcategories. Classification decisions within this code will hinge on accurately identifying the empty shell as being intended for rifle or pistol ammunition, based on its dimensions, design, and caliber markings, if present. This ensures that goods are correctly categorized and subject to appropriate customs duties and regulations.