CLA-2 CO:R:C:G 086975 DRR

Ms. Marty Langtry
Castelazo & Associates
5420 West 104th St.
Los Angeles, California 90045

Re: Friendship bracelet

Dear Ms. Langtry:

This is in reference to your letter dated March 23, 1990, on behalf of Pangea Imports, requesting the classification of a textile friendship bracelet under the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States Annotated (HTSUSA).

FACTS:

The merchandise at issue is represented by a friendship bracelet made of 100 percent cotton yarn. It is made of blue, pink and green yarns which are woven into a narrow strip approximately nine centimeters long and then braided into two strands about 14 centimeters long. The bracelet is fastened by pulling one strand through a loop in one end and tying it to the other strand. The bracelets will be imported from Guatemala. You state that you believe that the item is classifiable under heading 7117, HTSUSA.

ISSUE:

What is the classification of the friendship bracelet?

LAW AND ANALYSIS:

Classification of merchandise under the HTSUSA is in accordance with the General Rules of Interpretation (GRI), taken in order. GRI 1 provides that classification shall be

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according to the terms of the headings and any relative section or chapter notes. Heading 5609, HTSUSA, provides for, among other things, articles of yarn, twine or cordage, not specified or included elsewhere. However, heading 5609 limits the articles of yarn included therein to those of heading 5604 or 5405, i.e. yarns of manmade fibers. The cotton friendship bracelet is therefore not classifiable under heading 5609.

Heading 7117, HTSUSA, provides for imitation jewelry; of base metal. Note 3 (f), Chapter 71, states that textile articles are excluded from that chapter. In light of the fact that the bracelet is made of 100 percent cotton, it is an article of textile which is excluded from Chapter 71 and is classifiable under Section XI.

Heading 6217, HTSUSA, provides for other made up clothing accessories and parts of garments or clothing accessories. The article in question is appropriately classifiable as a clothing accessory of heading 6217, HTSUSA.

HOLDING:

The friendship bracelet at issue is classified under subheading 6217.10.0010, HTSUSA, as other made up clothing accessories,..., accessories, of cotton, with a duty rate of 15.5 percent ad valorem, and subject to textile category 359.

The designated textile and apparel category may be subdivided into parts. If so, visa and quota requirements applicable to the subject merchandise may be affected. Since part categories are the result of international bilateral agreements which are subject to frequent renegotiations and changes, to obtain the most current information available, we suggest that you check, close to the time of shipment, the Status Report On Current Import Quotas (Restraint Levels), an internal issuance of the U.S. Customs Service, which is available for inspection at your local Customs office.

Due to the changeable nature of the statistical annotation and the restraint (quota/visa) categories applicable to textile merchandise, you should contact your

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local Customs office prior to importation of this merchandise to determine the current status of any import restraints or requirements.

Sincerely,

John Durant, Director
Commercial Rulings Division

6 cc: A.D.,N.Y. Seaport
D. Rimmer library/za
086975