9602.00 - Worked vegetable or mineral carving material and articles of these materials; molded or carved articles of wax, of stearin, of natural gums or natural resins, of modeling pastes, and other molded or carved articles, not elsewhere specified or included; worked, unhardened gelatin (except gelatin of heading 3503) and articles of unhardened gelatin:

Category 9602.00 encompasses a diverse range of manufactured articles made from vegetable or mineral carving materials, as well as molded or carved items derived from wax, stearin, natural gums, natural resins, and modeling pastes. It also includes worked, unhardened gelatin and articles produced from it, provided they are not otherwise classified under heading 3503. This category serves as a residual for miscellaneous carved or molded goods not specifically provided for in other HTS chapters, focusing on the material composition and manufacturing process.

This classification differs from its sibling categories within Chapter 96 by its focus on worked natural materials and specifically molded or carved items, rather than other miscellaneous manufactured articles such as brushes (9603), lighters (9612), or writing instruments (9608). While it shares the broad "miscellaneous manufactured articles" scope of Section XX, 9602.00 isolates those items characterized by their sculpted or formed nature from raw vegetable, mineral, wax, or gelatinous substances.

The subcategories within 9602.00 further refine these distinctions. 9602.00.10 specifically addresses unhardened gelatin and its derived articles, separating them from other materials. 9602.00.40.00 is dedicated to molded or carved articles solely made of wax, highlighting a common and distinct material. The residual category, 9602.00.50, accounts for other carved or molded articles of vegetable or mineral materials, natural gums or resins, and modeling pastes that do not fit into the more specific subcategories.