CLA-2-84:S:N:N1:103 898929
Mr. Tom Cleveland
Tricoastal Industries, Inc.
535 Connecticut Avenue
Norwalk, Connecticut 06854
RE: The tariff classification of elevator guide rails from Brazil,
China, Germany, Italy, Korea or Taiwan
Dear Mr. Cleveland:
In your letter dated June 1, 1994, you requested a tariff
classification ruling.
Elevator guide rails are T-shaped rails used to guide elevator
cars as they travel up and down the elevator shaftway. The
merchandise in question will be imported in two conditions -
unfinished and finished.
In the finished condition, a hot rolled "T" section of
ordinary low carbon structural steel has undergone processing prior
to importation to produce an article to be solely used as an
elevator guide rail. Processing includes machining operations such
as straightening, planing, and milling and painting to prevent
rust. The rails weigh from 8 to 30 pounds per foot. Lengths vary
from 10 to 20 feet depending upon customer specifications but are
generally 16 feet for most applications.
The applicable subheading for the finished elevator guide
rails will be 8431.31.0060, Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the
United States (HTS), which provides for parts suitable for use
solely or principally with passenger or freight elevators, other
than continuous action elevators. The duty rate will be 2 percent
ad valorem.
Articles classifiable under subheading 8431.31.0060, HTS,
which are products of Brazil are entitled to duty free treatment
under the Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) upon compliance
with all applicable regulations.
Your inquiry does not provide enough information for us to
give a classification ruling on the unfinished sections. Your
request for a classification ruling should include a step-by-step
description of the manufacturing operations performed in Brazil and
in the United States. Submit detailed data on man hours expanded,
labor costs and additional component (if any) costs incurred.
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