CLA-2-84:S:N:N1:103 800368
Ms. Karen Bysiewicz
Coudert Brothers
1114 Avenue of the Americas
New York, NY 10036-7794
RE: The tariff classification of a chemical mixer from Finland
Dear Ms. Bysiewicz:
In your letter dated July 21, 1994 on behalf of Ahlstrom Process Equipment, Inc. you requested a tariff classification ruling.
Descriptive literature submitted with your inquiry indicates the Ahlmix chemical mixer is designed to rapidly mix both gaseous and liquid bleaching chemicals into medium consistency pulp stock. The mixer consists of a casing, rotor, stuffing box, seal, shaft, bearing housing and motor. The rotor in the Ahlmix fluidizes the pulp stock, thus causing a high shearing action which disperses and mixes bleaching chemicals, such as chlorine, throughout the stock. With the exception of the bearing housing and motor, the components will be made of stainless steel, titanium, or hastelloy. The Ahlmix mixer is available in five sizes which cover a broad range of production requirements. It will be imported fully assembled, but without a motor.
You state in your inquiry that, in the United States, 95 percent of these mixers are used to mix chemicals with pulp stock for bleaching purposes. Of the remaining 5 percent, most are used to mix both steam and chemicals with the stock (the steam raises the temperature of the stock, thus increasing chemical absorption and mixing efficiency). In only a very small percentage of cases will the Ahlmix be used to mix only steam. Even when this occurs, the steam is introduced into the stock prior to the stock entering the Ahlmix, as the Ahlmix itself does not have any steam inlets. Thus the Ahlmix is distinguishable from the mixers which were the subject of Ruling Letter NY 880444 of December 7, 1992, which contained steam inlets and were principally used to mix only steam.
The applicable subheading for the Ahlmix chemical mixer will be 8439.10.00, Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTS), which provides for machinery for making pulp of fibrous cellulosic material. The rate of duty will be free.
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