Division 4 For the purposes of heading Nos 2710, 2711 and 2712, the term ‘specific process’ shall be taken to apply to the following operations:

1. (a)

   vacuum distillation;

2. (b)

   redistillation by a very thorough fractionation process;

3. (c)

   cracking;

4. (d)

   reforming;

5. (e)

   extraction by means of selective solvents;

6. (f)

   the process comprising all the following operations: processing with concentrated sulphuric acid, oleum or sulphuric anhydride; neutralization with alkaline agents; decolorization and purification with naturally active earth, activated earth, activated charcoal or bauxite;

7. (g)

   polymerization;

8. (h)

   alkylation;

9. (ij)

   isomerization;

10. (k)

    (in respect of products of subheadings 2710 00 61 to 2710 00 98 only) desulphurization with hydrogen resulting in a reduction of at least 85 % of the sulphur content of the products processed (ASTM D 1266-59 T method);

11. (l)

    (in respect of products of heading No 2710 only) deparaffining by a process other than filtering;

12. (m)

    (in respect of products of subheadings 2710 00 61 to 2710 00 98 only) treatment with hydrogen at a pressure of more than 20 bar and a temperature of more than 250^o C with the use of a catalyst, other than to effect desulphurization, when the hydrogen constitutes an active element in a chemical reaction. The further treatment with hydrogen of lubricating oils of subheadings 2710 00 81 to 2710 00 98 (e.g. hydrofinishing or decolorization) in order, more especially, to improve colour or stability shall not, however, be deemed to be a specific process;

13. (n)

    (in respect of products of subheadings 2710 00 71 to 2710 00 78 only) atmospheric distillation, on condition that less than 30 % of these products distils, by volume, including losses, at 300 ^oC by the ASTM D 86 method. If 30 % or more by volume, including losses, of such products distils at 300 ^oC by the ASTM D 86 method, the quantities of products which may be obtained during the atmospheric distillation and which fall within subheadings 2710 00 11 to 2710 00 39 or 2710 00 41 to 2710 00 59 shall be dutiable at the same rates as those provided for under subheadings 2710 00 74 to 2710 00 78 according to the kind and value of the products used and on the net weight of the products obtained. This rule shall not apply to products so obtained which, within a period of six months and subject to such other conditions as may be determined by the competent authorities, are to undergo a specific process or chemical transformation by a process not being a specific process;

14. (o)

    (in respect of products of subheadings 2710 00 81 to 2710 00 98 only) treatment by means of a high-frequency electrical brush-discharge.

Should any preparatory treatment prior to the abovementioned treatments be necessary by reason of technical requirements, the customs exemption shall apply only to the quantities of the products intended for and actually subjected to such abovementioned treatments; any waste products arising during preparatory treatment shall also be exempt from customs duty.