CLA-2-96:S:N:N1:110 868792
Ms. Lisa L. Cortes
Nippon Express USA Inc.
20444 S. Reeves Avenue
Long Beach, Ca. 90810
RE: The tariff classification of a color ribbon kit from Japan.
Dear Ms. Cortes:
In your letter dated November 4, 1991, on behalf of Citizen
America, you requested a tariff classification ruling.
The merchandise under consideration involves a color ribbon
kit (model AH39801-0 Color Kit), consisting of a color motor, and
a four-band color ribbon cartridge which is used with computer
printer units. The ribbon measures less than 30-mm in width, and
is permanently enclosed within a plastic cartridge. The color
motor drives the color ribbon. This color motor engages the
right side of the color ribbon cartridge by the two protruding
knobs. A gear on the motor turns, and the ribbon is raised and
lowered in a vertical plane.
Depending on which color code is sent to the printer, the
motor elevates the ribbon so that one of the four color bands on
the ribbon (yellow, red, blue, black) is lined up level with the
print head. When the print head fires, the pins strike against
that band, and that color is printed. The essential character of
this composite article, noting GRI-3(b) of HTS, is represented by
the four-band color ribbon cartridge.
The applicable subheading for the color ribbon kit will be
9612.10.1010, Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States
(HTS), which provides for ribbons woven, of man-made fibers,
measuring less than 30 mm in width, permanently put up in plastic
or metal cartridges (whether or not containing spools) of a kind
used in typewriters, automatic data processing or other machines.
The rate of duty will be 4.8 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