CLA-2-91:RR:NC:TP:344 817830

Mr. Wesley J. Johnston
914 Allan Road
Rockville, MD 20850

RE: The tariff classification of a Rolex watch from Singapore

Dear Mr. Johnston:

In your letter dated December 23, 1995 you requested a tariff classification ruling.

You have not supplied a sample, however you describe the article to be imported as one Rolex submariner watch, model 16613-93153, gold and stainless steel construction. You indicate that the weight of the case accounts for 75% of the watch weight while the weight of the band accounts for 25%.

The applicable subheading for the Rolex submariner watch will be 9102.21.70, Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTS), which provides for Wrist watches, ... other than those of heading 9101: Other wrist watches ... With automatic winding: ... Having over 17 jewels in the movement: With ... bracelet ... of base metal , whether or not gold- or silver-plated. The rate of duty will be $1.93 each plus 5.3% on the case plus 12.3% on the bracelet. We wish to point out, however, that a Rolex watch cannot be shipped to a person in the United States without prior written consent obtained from the trademark owner or its attorney. The Rolex trademark owner has recorded this trademark with the United States Customs Service and thus has been granted protection under the trademark laws from unauthorized importation of his product.

This ruling is being issued under the provisions of Section 177 of the Customs Regulations (19 C.F.R. 177).

A copy of the ruling or the control number indicated above should be provided with the entry documents at the time this merchandise is imported. If you have any questions regarding the ruling, contact National Import Specialist Stanley J. Schwartz at 212-466-5895.


Sincerely,

Roger J. Silvestri
Director
National Commodity
Specialist Division