Tanned or crust skins of sheep or lambs, without wool on, whether or not split, but not further prepared, in the wet state (including wet-blue)

HS code 410510 covers the trade of tanned or crust skins of sheep or lambs, without wool on, in the wet state. This industry plays a crucial role in the global leather supply chain, providing a key raw material for the production of various leather goods, including apparel, footwear, and upholstery. The demand for these wet-blue sheep and lamb skins is driven by the growing leather industry, particularly in emerging markets where manufacturing hubs are expanding.

The production of tanned or crust skins of sheep or lambs involves a multi-step process. First, the raw hides are subjected to a series of pre-tanning operations, such as soaking, liming, and deliming, to remove impurities and prepare the skin for tanning. The tanning process, which can be either vegetable-based or chrome-based, then transforms the raw hides into a stable, durable material known as 'wet-blue'. Finally, the wet-blue skins may undergo further processing, such as splitting or shaving, to meet the specific requirements of downstream industries.

The main inputs required for the production of HS code 410510 products include raw sheep or lamb hides, tanning chemicals (such as chromium salts or vegetable tanning agents), water, and specialized machinery for the various processing steps. Additionally, skilled labor and energy sources are essential for the efficient operation of tanneries and leather-processing facilities.

The primary output of HS code 410510 is wet-blue sheep or lamb skins, which are then consumed by various downstream industries. These wet-blue skins may be further processed and transformed into 410520 Tanned or crust skins of sheep or lambs, without wool on, whether or not split, but not further prepared, 410530 Tanned or crust hides and skins of other animals, without wool or hair on, whether or not split, but not further prepared, or 410621 Tanned or crust hides and skins of sheep or lambs, without wool on, split, but not further prepared, among other leather products.