CLA-2-57:S:N:N6:349 803471
Ms. Darlene Williams
Regal Rugs, Inc.
819 Buckeye Street
North Vernon, IN 47265
RE: The tariff classification and status under the North
American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), of a cotton tufted
rug from Mexico; Article 509
Dear Ms. Williams:
In your letter dated October 20, 1994 you requested a ruling
on the status of a cotton tufted rug from Mexico under the NAFTA.
The submitted sample is an approximately 19 x 29 inch tufted
rug that will be used as a bath mat. the rug is made by machine
tufting 100 percent cotton yarns into a pre-existing woven cotton
base. The pile is cut as the rug is tufted. The edges of the rug
are bound with a woven tape. In your letter you note that the
binding tape is made in the United States while the rest of the
rug is made from Mexican cotton. You have also submitted a copy
of a cloth label that will be sewn to the rug. The label contains
the fiber content, the name of your company, washing instructions
and the words "Made in Mexico". This label would be considered
acceptable for country of origin marking purposes.
The applicable tariff provision for the tufted rug will be
5703.90.0000, Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States
Annotated (HTSUSA), which provides for carpets and other textile
floor coverings, tufted, whether or not made up, of other textile
materials. The general rate of duty will be 7.6 percent ad
valorem.
The tufted rug, being wholly obtained or produced entirely
in the territory of Mexico and the United States, will meet the
requirements of HTSUSA General Note 12(b)(i), and will therefore
be entitled to a free rate of duty under the NAFTA upon
compliance with all applicable laws, regulations, and agreements.
This ruling is being issued under the provisions of Part 181
of the Customs Regulations (19 C.F.R. 181).
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.
This ruling letter is binding only as to the party to whom
it is issued and may be relied on only by that party.
Sincerely,
Jean F. Maguire
Area Director
New York Seaport