CLA-2 RR:CR:GC 964651 GOB
Mr. Edward J. Feder
A. Burghart Shipping Co., Inc.
700 Rahway Avenue
Union, NJ 07083-6634
RE: NY 883746 revoked; vegetable peeler
Dear Mr. Feder:
This letter is with respect to New York Ruling Letter (“NY”) 883746, issued to you on behalf of Acme Metal Goods Manufacturing Co. by the Customs National Commodity Specialist Division, New York, on March 30, 1992 concerning the classification under the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (“HTSUS”) of a vegetable peeler.
Pursuant to section 625(c), Tariff Act of 1930 (19 U.S.C. 1625(c)), as amended by section 623 of Title VI (Customs Modernization) of the North American Free Trade Agreement Implementation Act, Pub. L. 103-182, 107 Stat. 2057, 2186 (1993), notice of the proposed revocation of NY 883746, as described below, was published in the Customs Bulletin on December 6, 2000. As explained in a notice published on February 21, 2001, in Vol. 35, No. 8 of the Customs Bulletin, the period within which to submit comments on this proposal was extended to March 23, 2001. No comments were received in response to the notice.
FACTS:
In NY 883746, the National Commodity Specialist Division issued a classification ruling with respect to a vegetable peeler with a stainless steel swivel blade. The blade has a wide center slit with a single cutting edge. The vegetable peeler is in the general shape of a hippopotamus and is known as a “hippo peeler.” The vegetable peeler was classified in subheading 8214.90.90, HTSUS, as “Other articles of cutlery ... : ... Other: ... Other ...” We have reviewed that classification and have determined that it is incorrect. This ruling sets forth the correct classification.
ISSUE:
What is the tariff classification of a vegetable peeler – is it provided for in heading 8205, HTSUS, heading 8211, HTSUS, or heading 8214, HTSUS?
LAW AND ANALYSIS:
Classification under the HTSUS is made in accordance with the General Rules of Interpretation (“GRI’s”). GRI 1 provides that the classification of goods shall be determined according to the terms of the headings of the tariff schedule and any relative Section or Chapter Notes. In the event that the goods cannot be classified solely on the basis of GRI 1, and if the headings and legal notes do not otherwise require, the remaining GRI’s may then be applied.
The Harmonized Commodity Description and Coding System Explanatory Notes (“EN’s”) constitute the official interpretation of the Harmonized System at the international level. While neither legally binding nor dispositive, the EN’s provide a commentary on the scope of each heading of the HTSUS and are generally indicative of the proper interpretation of these headings. See T.D. 89-80.
The HTSUS provisions under consideration are as follows:
8205 Handtools...not elsewhere specified or included...:
Other handtools ... and parts thereof:
8205.51 Household tools, and parts thereof:
Of iron or steel:
8205.51.30 Other (including parts)
* * * * * *
8211 Knives with cutting blades, serrated or not (including pruning knives), other than knives of heading 8208, and blades and other base metal parts thereof:
Other:
8211.92 Other knives having fixed blades:
With rubber or plastic handles:
8211.92.20 Kitchen and butcher knives
* * * * * *
8214 Other articles of cutlery (for example, hair clippers, butchers’ or kitchen cleavers, chopping or mincing knives, paper knives); ...
8214.90 Other:
8214.90.90 Other (including parts)
EN 82.05 provides that “[t[his heading covers all hand tools not included in other headings of this Chapter or elsewhere in the nomenclature ... together with certain other tools or appliances specifically mentioned in the title.” EN 82.05 further provides that the other hand tools group includes “pastry cutters and jaggers; graters for cheese, etc.; ... cheese slicers, vegetable slicers ...” [Emphasis in original.] Thus, certain household articles are included in heading 8205, HTSUS, some with cutting blades.
EN 82.11 provides that heading 8211 covers: “Non-folding knives for kitchen, trade or other uses ... This category includes, inter alia: ... fruit peeling knives.” EN 82.11 also provides that heading 8211 excludes: “Articles of cutlery of heading 82.14.” [Emphasis in original.]
EN 82.14 provides that heading 8214 includes: “(1) Paper knives, letter openers, erasing knives, pencil sharpeners ... (4) Butchers’ or kitchen choppers, cleavers, and mincing knives. These articles do not have the normal shape of a knife, and may be designed for use with one or both hands.” [Emphasis in original.]
After a consideration of the possible tariff classifications for the vegetable peeler, it is our determination that it is provided for in heading 8205, HTSUS, as “Handtools ... not elsewhere specified or included ...” and it is classified in subheading 8205.51.30, HTSUS. This determination is based upon the following.
Heading 8205, HTSUS, more accurately describes the vegetable peelers than heading 8214, HTSUS in that the vegetable peelers are more similar to hand tools (heading 8205) than to cutlery. As noted above, EN 82.05 provides that the “other hand tools” group includes vegetable slicers, which we believe to be substantially similar to hand-held vegetable peelers. We believe that vegetable slicers involve “similar action” to vegetable peelers. With respect to headings 8211 and 8214, HTSUS, we note that vegetable peelers are not knives, and cannot be used as knives. Vegetable peelers involve a specific, fine action, a more limited range of action than can be accomplished with knives. Thus, for tariff purposes, heading 8205, HTSUS, hand tools not elsewhere specified or included, is more specific for vegetable peelers than is either heading 8211 or 8214, HTSUS.
Our determination that vegetable peelers are classified in subheading 8205.51.30, HTSUS, is consistent with our determinations in NY A80298 dated February 20, 1996, NY A80301 dated February 20, 1996, NY B86142 dated June 10, 1997, and NY C84668 dated May 27, 1998.
HOLDING:
The vegetable peeler is provided for in heading 8205, HTSUS, and is classified in subheading 8205.51.30, HTSUS, as: “Handtools ... not elsewhere specified or included ... : Other handtools ... : Household tools ... : Of iron or steel: ... Other ...”
EFFECT ON OTHER RULINGS:
NY 883746 is revoked. In accordance with 19 U.S.C. 1625(c), this ruling will become effective 60 days after its publication in the Customs Bulletin.
Sincerely,
John Durant, Director
Commercial Rulings Division