9902.17.71 - Lawn-tennis rackets, unstrung (provided for in subheading 9506.51.40)

This HTS category, 9902.17.71, specifically addresses lawn tennis rackets that are imported in an unstrung state. These are items intended for the sport of lawn tennis, manufactured with the primary purpose of striking a tennis ball. The key defining characteristic for this classification is that the racket is provided without strings, which distinguishes it from fully assembled rackets.

As a temporary provision within Chapter 99, this code operates outside the standard product-based chapters of the HTS. Its siblings are other temporary or special classification provisions, not direct product categories like live animals or agricultural products found in earlier chapters. Therefore, the distinction from its "siblings" lies in its nature as a specific, temporary tariff treatment for a particular type of sporting good, rather than a broad commodity group.

Since this is a leaf node, there are no further subcategories under 9902.17.71. The classification is definitive for unstrung lawn tennis rackets. It is important to note that if the racket were imported strung, it would be classified under its primary product chapter, specifically subheading 9506.51.40, as indicated in the description. This temporary provision is designed to address specific trade or legislative circumstances for unstrung rackets.