CLA-2-56:S:N:N6:351 813885
Mr. Bob Morse
Intrend Ropes and Twines Inc.
629 Grove St.
Manteno, IL 60950
RE: The tariff classification and status under the North American
Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), of polypropylene ropes made of
filament and of wide non-fibrillated strip, from Mexico;
Article 509
Dear Mr. Morse:
In your letters dated July 5, 1995 and August 16, 1995 you
requested a ruling on the status of twelve ropes from Mexico under
the NAFTA. You have submitted twelve samples of three-ply twisted
polypropylene ropes. For all twelve ropes, you have provided the
"yield," which ranges from 0.604 to 10.69 pounds per 100 feet; when
converted to decitex (number of grams per 10,000 meters) all of
these exceed 10,000 decitex.
Six of the samples are multifilament ropes; each of the three
plies is comprised of many filaments twisted together. One of the
ropes is labelled 3/16" MONO; we measured this rope several places
along its length and it consistently measures less than 4.8
millimeters in diameter. The remaining multifilament ropes are
labelled 1/4" MONO, 5/16" MONO, 3/8" MONO, 5/8" MONO and 3/4" MONO,
and all exceed 4.8 millimeters in diameter.
The other six samples are made of non-fibrillated strip over
25.4 millimeters wide, which has been folded and twisted into an
apparent width of less than 5 millimeters, then grouped and twisted
into three "S" twisted strands, which in turn are twisted together
in the "Z" direction to form the final three-ply rope. These six
ropes are labelled 3/16", 5/16", 3/8", 1/2", 5/8" and 3/4".
The applicable tariff provision for the rope labelled 3/16"
MONO will be 5607.49.1500, Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United
States Annotated (HTSUSA), which provides for twine, cordage, ropes
and cables, whether or not plaited or braided and whether or not
impregnated, coated, covered or sheathed with rubber or plastics;
of polyethylene or polypropylene; other; other, not braided or
plaited; measuring less than 4.8 mm in diameter. The general rate
of duty will be 7.9 percent ad valorem.
The applicable tariff provision for the remaining five ropes
labelled "MONO" will be 5607.49.2500 HTSUSA, which provides for
twine, cordage, ropes and cables, whether or not plaited or braided
and whether or not impregnated, coated, covered or sheathed with
rubber or plastics; of polyethylene or polypropylene; other, not
braided or plaited; other. The general rate of duty will be 25.8
cents per kilogram plus 14 percent ad valorem.
The applicable tariff provision for the six ropes that are
made of non-fibrillated strip over 25.4 millimeters wide will be
5607.49.1000 HTSUSA, which provides for twine, cordage, ropes and
cables, whether or not plaited or braided and whether or not
impregnated, coated, covered or sheathed with rubber or plastics;
of polyethylene or polypropylene; other; of wide non-fibrillated
strip. The general rate of duty will be 5 percent ad valorem.
You have also indicated that the materials used to manufacture
these ropes "originate" in Mexico. We will assume for purposes of
this ruling that this means that the plastic resin used to extrude
the filaments and strip in Mexico was itself made in Mexico, from
raw materials that were wholly obtained or produced in Mexico.
The ropes, being wholly obtained or produced entirely in the
territory of Mexico, will meet the requirements of HTSUSA General
Note 12(b)(i). Under the NAFTA, upon compliance with all
applicable laws, regulations, and agreements, the rope labelled
3/16" MONO will be entitled to a 5.8 percent ad valorem rate of
duty, the remaining five ropes labelled "MONO" will be entitled to
a 17.7 percent ad valorem rate of duty, and the six ropes that are
made of non-fibrillated strip over 25.4 millimeters wide will be
entitled to a free rate of duty.
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