9401.53.00.00 - Of rattan

This HTS category, 9401.53.00.00, specifically classifies seats that are primarily constructed from rattan. Rattan is a pliable, woody vine native to tropical regions, known for its strength and flexibility, which makes it suitable for furniture weaving and construction. This classification encompasses a wide array of seating furniture, including chairs, stools, sofas, and lounge seats, provided their primary material composition is rattan.

It is important to distinguish this category from its sibling, 9401.52.00.00, which covers seats made of bamboo. While both rattan and bamboo are natural plant materials often used in similar types of furniture, they are distinct in their botanical origin and physical properties. Rattan, being a vine, typically has a solid core and a segmented appearance, whereas bamboo is a hollow, jointed grass. This category also differs from 9401.59.00.00, which is a residual category for seats made of similar materials to cane, osier, or bamboo, but not specifically rattan or bamboo.

As this is a leaf node in the HTS structure, there are no further subcategories to introduce. Therefore, the classification of a seat under 9401.53.00.00 hinges on the definitive presence of rattan as the predominant material in its construction. Items predominantly made of other materials, even if incorporating some rattan elements, would likely be classified elsewhere based on their primary constituent.