HS Code for Ossein

Ossein is classified under HS code 0506.10, a designation that places it within the category of animal products not elsewhere specified. Chapter 5 of the Harmonized System covers various raw materials of animal origin, and heading 0506 is specifically reserved for bones and horn-cores. The classification of ossein under 0506.10 is driven by the specific processing the bone has undergone. Ossein is the organic matrix of bone that remains after the mineral components, primarily calcium phosphate, have been removed through treatment with dilute hydrochloric acid. This process is explicitly mentioned in the subheading description: "Ossein and bones treated with acid." This material is distinct from raw bone and also from the final processed product, gelatin. The classification follows General Interpretative Rule 1, as the product is named directly in the subheading text. It is primarily traded as an intermediate industrial product for the photographic, pharmaceutical, and food-grade gelatin industries.

Products Included

• Acid-treated bone (Ossein)
• Demineralized bone matrix for industrial use
• Degelatinized bone (if acid treated)
• Ossein chips for gelatin production

Common Misclassification

Ossein is frequently misclassified under HS code 3503.00, which is the code for gelatin. While ossein is the primary raw material for gelatin, it has not yet undergone the hydrolysis required to become gelatin. It may also be confused with HS code 0506.90, which covers other bones and horn-cores that have not been treated with acid. Proper identification depends on confirming the demineralization process.

FAQ

What is the HS code for Ossein?

The HS code for Ossein is 0506.10.

Is Ossein the same as gelatin for customs purposes?

No, Ossein is a raw material classified in Chapter 5 (0506.10), while gelatin is a further processed chemical product classified in Chapter 35 (3503.00).