9817.60.00.00 - Any of the following articles not intended for sale or distribution to the public: personal effects of aliens who are participants in, officials of, or accredited members of delegations to, an international athletic event held in the United States, such as the Olympics and Paralympics, the Goodwill Games, the Special Olympics World Games, the World Cup Soccer Games, or any similar international athletic event as the Secretary of the Treasury may determine, and of persons who are immediate family members of or servants to any of the foregoing persons; equipment and materials imported in connection with any such foregoing event by or on behalf of the foregoing persons or the organizing committee of such an event, articles to be used in exhibitions depicting the culture of a country participating in such an event; and, if consistent with the foregoing, such other articles as the Secretary of the Treasury may allow

This HTS category, 9817.60.00.00, encompasses a specific set of articles designated for temporary importation in connection with international athletic events held in the United States. It primarily covers personal effects belonging to participants, officials, and accredited members of delegations for events such as the Olympics, Paralympics, Goodwill Games, Special Olympics World Games, and World Cup Soccer Games, as well as similar events designated by the Secretary of the Treasury. This also extends to the immediate family members and servants of these individuals. Furthermore, the category includes equipment and materials imported for these events by or on behalf of these individuals or the organizing committee, along with articles intended for exhibitions showcasing the culture of participating countries.

Unlike the vast majority of HTS categories which deal with the permanent classification of goods based on their inherent physical characteristics and intended commercial use, 9817.60.00.00 is a special classification provision. Its scope is defined by the *purpose* and *temporary nature* of the importation, rather than the specific material or product type itself. For instance, while a sporting good might be classified under Chapter 95 if imported for sale, the same item would fall under this provision if it's a participant's personal equipment for an international athletic event.

As a leaf node within the HTS structure, this category does not have further subcategories. Its broad description, empowered by the discretion of the Secretary of the Treasury to include "other articles" consistent with the stated purpose, signifies that specific classification within this provision relies heavily on the context of the importation and the official designation of the athletic event. Importers should ensure they have appropriate documentation and authorization demonstrating the qualifying nature of the event and the intended use of the imported articles to claim this special provision.