9903.01.68 - Except for goods loaded onto a vessel at the port of loading and in transit on the final mode of transit before 12:01 a.m. eastern daylight time on April 9, 2025, except for products described in headings 9903.01.28-9903.01.33, and except as provided for in heading 9903.01.34, articles the product of Iraq, as provided for in subdivision (v) of U.S. note 2 to this subchapter [Compiler's note: provision terminated. See 90 Fed. Reg. 37963.]

This HTS classification, 9903.01.68, pertains to a very specific set of articles originating from Iraq. It functions as a temporary legislative provision under Section XXII of the HTS, dealing with additional import restrictions. The primary characteristic of goods falling under this code is their status as products of Iraq, subject to particular exceptions related to the date of transit and specific pre-existing tariff headings. It is crucial to note that the provision itself has been terminated, indicated by the compiler's note referencing its cessation in the Federal Register.

Distinguishing this category from its sibling HTS codes, which generally cover a vast array of goods such as live animals (headings 0101-0105), lies in its specialized nature. While sibling categories focus on the physical or biological classification of goods, 9903.01.68 is a temporary trade restriction, not a product classification in the traditional sense. Its existence is tied to specific geopolitical and policy considerations rather than inherent product characteristics.

As this HTS code is a leaf node, there are no subcategories to introduce. Classification within this code, therefore, hinges entirely on meeting the precise temporal and origin criteria outlined in its description, along with understanding the referenced exceptions and the ultimate termination of the provision. Importers must carefully consult the historical context and any superseding regulations when dealing with goods that might have, at one point, been subject to this restriction.