CLA-2-84:S:N:N1:104 811641
Mr. James Taylor, Jr.
Stroock & Stroock & Lavan
1150 Seventeenth Street N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20036-4652
RE: The tariff classification of a lens edger, frame tracer and
centering device from Italy.
Dear Mr. Taylor:
In your letter dated June 9, 1995 on behalf of FOMAP of the
Americas of Fort Lauderdale, Florida you requested a tariff
classification ruling.
The equipment at issue is used in the fabrication of
eyeglass lenses by opticians and laboratory technicians. The
system consists of a computer controlled edger (Model Acculens C
290) and two peripheral devices: a frame tracer (Model Accutrak)
and a centering device (Model VS92 Accublock or IG Blocker). The
edger is connected with cables to the centering device and the
frame tracer. The eyeglass frame is scanned with the tracer and
the shape of the lens to be ground is sent electronically to the
centering device and edger. The centering device attaches a chuck
to the lens at a specific location to allow the lens to be
mounted on the edger and ground to the determined shape. You
suggest classification of the three components as a functional
unit under heading 8465 (rather than 8464 since most lenses today
are made of plastic).
The applicable subheading for the system consisting of the
edger, tracer and centering device (either the VS92 Accublock or
the I.G. Blocker) imported together will be 8465.93.0090,
Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTS), which
provides for machine tools for working wood, cork, bone, hard
rubber, hard plastics or similar hard materials: grinding,
sanding or polishing machines. The rate of duty will be 3
percent.
You also inquire about the classification of the frame
tracer and centering devices when separately imported.
The applicable subheading for the frame tracer will be
9031.80.0080, HTS, which provides for other measuring or checking
instruments, appliances and machines, not specified or included
elsewhere in this chapter. The rate of duty will be 4.3 percent.
The centering devices will be classified in subheading
9031.40.9000, HTS, which provides for other optical measuring or
checking instruments and appliances. the rate of duty will be 8.7
percent.
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