9903.02.16 - 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on the final mode of transit before 12:01 a.m. eastern daylight time on August 7, 2025, and entered for consumption or withdrawn from warehouse for consumption before 12:01 a.m. eastern daylight time on October 5, 2025, except for products described in headings 9903.01.30-9903.01.33, and except as provided for in headings 9903.01.34 and 9903.02.01, articles the product of Democratic Republic of the Congo, as provided for in subdivision (v) of U.S. note 2 to this subchapter

This HTS code, 9903.02.16, pertains to specific articles originating from the Democratic Republic of the Congo that are subject to temporary import restrictions. These restrictions are established under Section 22 of the Agricultural Adjustment Act and are detailed in subdivision (v) of U.S. Note 2 to this subchapter. The classification applies to goods meeting precise temporal entry requirements, specifically those loaded onto a vessel before August 7, 2025, and entered for consumption or withdrawn from warehouse before October 5, 2025. It's crucial to note that this provision excludes products already covered under headings 9903.01.30 through 9903.01.33, and further exceptions are outlined in headings 9903.01.34 and 9903.02.01.

Unlike the preceding HTS chapters that classify goods based on their inherent physical characteristics, materials, or intended use (e.g., Chapter 1 for live animals), this entry falls within Chapter 99, which is reserved for temporary legislation and special trade measures. Therefore, its classification is driven by the trade policy and specific directives enacted by U.S. authorities, rather than the intrinsic nature of the goods themselves. This distinction is paramount for accurate classification, as the application of this code depends on compliance with the stipulated conditions for origin, timing, and exclusion clauses.

As a leaf node within the HTS database, HTS code 9903.02.16 does not have further subcategories. This means that any goods meeting the origin requirements (Democratic Republic of the Congo) and all the specific temporal and exclusionary conditions outlined in the description are classified directly under this code. The practical application requires careful examination of shipping documents, entry dates, and cross-referencing with the specified exclusion and exception headings to ensure compliance with these temporary import provisions.