NY 852182

May 09 1990


CLA-2-84:S:N:N1:110 852182

Mr. Dave Marinoble
National Forge Company
P.O. Box 40, 155 River Street
Andover, Massachusetts 01810

RE: The tariff classification of a Pressure Vessel Assembly from Japan.

Dear Mr. Marinoble:

In your letter dated April 30, 1990, you requested a tariff classification ruling. The item in question is a Pressure Vessel Assembly which is a component of a Hot Isostatic Press. The Pressure Vessel Assembly is constructed from a forging which could be monolithic forged, wire wound or multi-ring layered. It has a 36-inch inside diameter by 72-inch inside length, and has an operating temperature of 1800-degrees Fahrenheit, with an operating pressure which reaches 15,000-psi.

Hot Isostatic pressing is a processing technique utilizing both high pressures and high temperatures, contained within the pressure vessel assembly to process a powdered metal or cast steel part to enhance the structural integrity of the part. The pressure media, usually argon, is compressed to pressures typically ranging from 15,000 to 45,000-psi and temperatures from 500-degrees centigrade to 2200 degrees-centigrade are reached through the use of an electric resistance furnace. The Hot Isostatic Press usually consists of a pressure vessel assembly, handling systems, gas storage/compression systems, furnace, tooling, power supplies, controls and instrumentation. The Hot Isostatic Press is used for the treatment of materials such as metal and ceramics by heating, which is accomplished primarily by the pressure vessel assembly. This press will be used to further enhance the material structure of turbine blades for aircraft engines.

The applicable subheading for the Pressure Vessel Assembly will be 8419.89.5075, Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTS), which provides for other machinery or plant equipment for the treatment of materials by a process involving a change in temperature such as heating. The rate of duty will be 4.2 percent ad valorem.

This ruling is being issued under the provisions of Section 177 of the Customs Regulations (19 C.F.R. 177).

A copy of this ruling letter should be attached to the entry documents filed at the time this merchandise is imported. If the documents have been filed without a copy, this ruling should be brought to the attention of the Customs officer handling the transaction.

Sincerely,

Jean F. Maguire
Area Director
New York Seaport