CLA-2 RR:TC:MM 960620 HMC
David M. Murphy, Esq.
Grunfeld, Desiderio,
Lebowitz & Silverman LLP
245 Park Avenue
33rd Floor
New York, NY 10167-3397
RE: Silver-Plated Cake Plate with Server; Subheadings 7013.39.20
and 7323.99.10; GRI 3(b); Explanatory Notes (VIII) and (X) to GRI
3(b); Explanatory Note 70.13; Other Glassware of the Kind Used
for Table, Office, Indoor Decoration or Similar Purposes; Other
Table, Kitchen or Other Household Articles of Iron or Steel; HQ
955932.
Dear Mr. Murphy:
This is in response to your letter to the Customs National
Commodity Specialist Division, New York, dated May 23, 1997, on
behalf of Syratech Corporation, regarding the tariff
classification of the International Silver Company's "Silver-Plated Cake Plate with Server" (cake serving set) under the
Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS). Your
letter, together with the sample, was forwarded to this office
for a reply.
FACTS:
The sample submitted is a cake serving set, item 99113518,
consisting of a round glass cake plate, 12.75 inches in diameter,
attached to a silver-plated steel base, and a silver-plated steel
trowel. The articles are packaged together in a specially
printed box. The box depicts the glass cake plate with the
trowel on top of the plate and a slice of cake right next to the
trowel.
The provisions under consideration are as follows:
7013 Glassware of a kind used for table, kitchen,
toilet, office, indoor decoration or similar
purposes (other than that of heading 7010 or
7018):
Glassware of a kind used for table
(other than drinking glasses) or kitchen
purposes other than that of glass-ceramics:
7013.39 Other:
7013.39.20 Valued not over $3
each...27.8%
* * * *
7323 Table, kitchen or other household articles
and parts thereof, or iron or steel; iron or
steel wool; pot scourers and scouring or
polishing pads, gloves and the like, of iron
or steel:
Other:
7323.99 Other:
Coated or plated with precious
metal:
7323.99.10 Coated or plated
with silver...1.6%
ISSUE:
Whether the silver-plated cake plate and server are
classifiable as a set under subheading 7013.39.20, HTSUS.
LAW AND ANALYSIS:
Merchandise is classifiable under the HTSUS in accordance
with the General Rules of Interpretation (GRIs). GRI 1 states in
part that for legal purposes, classification shall be determined
according to the terms of the headings and any relative section
or chapter notes, and provided the headings or notes do not
require otherwise, according to GRIs 2 through 6.
You contend that the merchandise is appropriately classified
under subheading 7323.99.10, HTSUS, on the premise that the items
constitute a set and that the essential character of the set is
imparted by the silver-plated base and trowel. You claim that
the silver-plated server and the plate's base are described in
heading 7323, HTSUS, and that the glass plate is described in
heading 7013, HTSUS.
GRI 3(a) states that when, by application of rule 2(b) or
for any other reason, goods are, prima facie, classifiable under
two or more headings, the heading which provides the most
specific description shall be preferred to headings providing a
more general description. However, when two or more headings
each refer to part only of the materials or substances contained
in mixed or composite goods or to part only of the items in a set
put up for retail sale, those headings are to be regarded as
equally specific in relation to those goods, even if one of them
gives a more complete or precise description of the goods.
GRI 3(b) states that mixtures, composite goods consisting of
different materials or made up of different components, and goods
put up in sets for retail sale, which cannot be classified by
reference to 3(a), shall be classified as if they consisted of
the material or component which gives them their essential
character, insofar as this criterion is applicable. Since the
subject goods consist of various items sold together as a set, we
must first determine if for tariff purposes it is a set put up
for retail sale as defined by GRI 3(b).
The Harmonized Commodity Description And Coding System
Explanatory Notes (ENs) constitute the official interpretation of
the Harmonized system. While not legally binding on the
contracting parties, and therefore not dispositive, the ENs
provide a commentary on the scope of each heading of the
Harmonized System and are thus useful in ascertaining the
classification of merchandise under the System. Customs believes
the Notes should always be consulted. See T.D. 89-80, 54 Fed.
Reg. 35127, 35128 (Aug. 23, 1989).
Explanatory Note (X) to GRI 3(b), at page 5, states that the
term "goods put up in sets for retail sale" shall be taken to
mean goods which:
(a) consist of at least two different articles which are,
prima facie, classifiable in different headings.
(b) consist of products or articles put up together to meet
a particular need or carry out a specific activity; and
(c) are put up in a manner suitable for sale directly to
users without repacking (e.g., in boxes or cases or on
boards).
In this instance, we agree with your contention that the
cake serving set qualifies as a set of GRI 3(b). The articles
are, prima facie, classifiable in different headings. Also, the
glass plate and server are designed to be used together to carry
out the specific activity of serving cake; and, they are put up
in a manner suitable for sale directly to users without
repacking. Accordingly, we must determine whether the steel
silver-plated items or the glass plate imparts the essential
character to the set.
In general, essential character has been construed to mean
that attribute which strongly marks or serves to distinguish what
an article is; that which is indispensable to the structure, core
or condition of the article. In addition, EN (VIII) to GRI 3(b),
at page 4, states that the factor which help determine essential
character will vary as between different kinds of goods. It may,
for example, be determined by the nature of the material or
component, its bulk, quantity, weight or value, or by the role of
a constituent material in relation to the use of the goods.
You contend that the essential character is imparted by the
steel silver-plated articles. We disagree. We believe that, in
this instance, the glass plate imparts the essential character.
Although the silver-plated server is valued higher than the cake
plate, it is the role of the constituent material that is the
determining factor here. The glass plate is the most visually
and structurally significant component of the set. Also, the
plate is the article in the set that would be used to hold a cake
and from where a cake would be served. Thus, the plate would
perform the main function of serving cake. As such, it would be
the indispensable article in the set, the base and the trowel
simply assisting in the serving function. Based on GRI 3(b), we
find that the cake plate set is classifiable as if consisting
only of the glass plate.
As you suggested, the glass plate is described in heading
7013, HTSUS, which provides for glassware of the kind used for
table, kitchen, toilet, office, indoor decoration or similar
purposes. EN 70.13 states that heading 7013, HTSUS, covers table
or kitchen glassware. It further states that articles of glass
combined with other materials (base metal, wood, etc.), are
classified in this heading only if the glass gives the whole the
character of glass articles. Precious metal or metal clad with
precious metal may be present, as minor trimmings only; articles
in which such metals constitute more than mere trimmings are
excluded (heading 71.14).
In this instance, we believe that the cake serving set will
be principally used for table or kitchen purposes. See
Additional U.S. Rule of Interpretation 1(a). Also, as explained
above, we believe that the essential character is imparted by the
glass plate, irrespective of the silver-plated articles.
We note that the silver-plated base is attached to the glass
plate and that they are inseparable. We thus find that the glass
plate and the base constitute a composite good of GRI 3(b) and
that it is the glass plate that gives the whole the character of
a glass article. Moreover, we find that the silver-plating of
the cake plate is not precious metal nor metal clad with precious
metal. See HQ 955932, dated June 29, 1994, for a similar
finding. We conclude that the cake serving set is provided in
heading 7013, HTSUS. Since no evidence was provided that the
glass plate is of lead crystal as defined in Subheading Note 1 to
Chapter 70, HTSUS, we believe the cake serving set is
classifiable under subheading 7013.39.20, HTSUS.
HOLDING:
Under the authority of GRI 3(b), the "Silver-Plated Cake
Plate with Server," item 99113518, is properly classified under
subheading 7013.39.20, HTSUS, as "glassware of a kind used for
table (other than drinking glasses) or kitchen purposes other
than of glass-ceramics: Other: Other: Valued not over $3 each."
The rate of duty is 27.8% ad valorem.
Sincerely,
John Durant, Director
Tariff Classification Appeals Division