CLA-2-84:S:N:N1:102 863175
Ms. Jan P. Bingham
Kuehne & Nagel
4800 Paul Brown Blvd.
Charlotte, NC 28208
RE: The tariff classification of a five way distribution
manifold from Germany
Dear Ms. Bingham:
In your letter dated May 6, 1991, on behalf of your client,
Angus Fire Armour, you requested a tariff classification ruling.
The item in question is referred to in your literature as
the "phantom pumper". It is a large, aluminum, five way
distribution valve used by fire departments. The device allows
five separate water hoses to be fed into one central outlet,
thereby providing maximum water pressure and feed to such fire
fighting equipment as aerial towers and "deluge guns". The two
styles in this series, models 50 and 51, weigh 41 lbs and 52 lbs
respectively. Branching off of each side of this manifold are
two hand operated ball valves. The central portion is designed
for a bolt-on gate valve. Other models shown in the literature
submitted are smaller, two-way and three-way versions of the
above.
The applicable subheading for the "Phantom Pumper" models 50
and 51 will be 8481.80.5090, Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the
United States (HTS), which provides for taps, cocks, valves and
similar apparatus, hand operated, of other than copper, steel or
iron. The rate of duty will be 4.4 percent ad valorem. Models
21 (two way) and 31 (three way) would be classifiable under the
same provision.
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