CLA-2-90:S:N:N1:114 871914
TARIFF NOS.: 9031.40.0080
Mr. Jon E. Sollid
Sollid Optics, Inc.
365 Valle Del Sol
Los Alamos, NM 87544
RE: The tariff classification of Measuring Instruments from
England, Germany and Norway.
Dear Mr. Sollid:
In your letter dated February 5, 1992 you requested a tariff
classification ruling.
The Siemens Aladin Thermo Microscope is a high resolution,
non-contact, nondestructive examination system. The image
produced by the Thermo Microscope is an infrared image. An
optical microscope is used to direct a small pulse of visible or
near IR radiation to the specimen. A computer generated infrared
image is viewed on a monitor. The Aladin Thermo Microscope is
manufactured in Germany.
The Metronic CM 2000 is a measuring machine for performing
measurements in the X,Y and Z axes. The operator can
automatically measure radii, hole diameter, centers, pitches,
angles, intersections and component alignments. The variety of
measuring techniques include automatic edge detectors for X and Y
measurement and automatic non-contact laser Z axis measurement
sensors, image processing and contact probe options. The
Metronic CM 2000 is manufactured in England.
The Scanning Vibrometer is a non-contact laser instrument
for measuring vibrational velocity using the Doppler principle.
You indicate that the Scanning Vibrometer is also called a laser
doppler velocimeter and that it works in a scanning mode. The
vibrating object alters the frequency of the laser beam, which is
operating at 633 nanometers. The Scanning Vibrometer is
manufactured in England.
The Retra operates on the speckle pattern produced on an
object by a beam of coherent laser light. A video camera in the
Retra unit does a low-pass filtering operation to reveal the mode
of vibration of the object. This device is used in analysis of
rotating machinery such as turbines, impellers, and engines. The
Retra is manufactured in Norway.
The applicable subheading for the Metronic CM 2000, the
Scanning Vibrometer and the Retra will be 9031.40.0080,
Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTS), which
provides for measuring or checking instruments, appliances and
machines, not specified or included elsewhere in this chapter,
other optical instruments and appliances, other. The rate of
duty will be 10 percent ad valorem.
This office is referring the issue of the tariff
classification of the Siemens Aladin Thermo Microscope to the
Office of Regulations and Rulings,
U. S. Customs Service, 1301 Constitution Ave. N.W., Washington,
D. C. 20229. A ruling will be issued to you from that office.
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