CLA-2-84:S:N:N1:103 864565
Mr. C. H. Timm
50 West Street
New York, NY 10006
RE: The tariff classification of bagging equipment from Germany
or Great Britain
Dear Mr. Timm:
In your letter dated June 19, 1991 on behalf of Chronos
Richardson you requested a tariff classification ruling.
Along with your inquiry you submitted several brochures
describing various models of bag filling and weighing machines.
Model OMBP is an automatic open mouth bag placing machine. It
takes empty paper or plastic bags and positions them on a filling
spout. It consists basically of a steel frame, vacuum pump, bag
separation and pickup suction cups, bag placing arm, pickup
table, bag magazine, and pneumatic and electric controls. Piles
of empty bags are manually placed on the pickup table or in the
magazine by the machine's operator. The suction cups separate
and pickup a single bag, and the bag is opened by expanding jaws
on the lifting arm. The lifting arm then places the bag on the
filling spout, where it is securely held by a clamp while a
separate scale discharges the precise weight of product into the
bag. The filled bag is automatically released onto a conveyor
for transfer to a bag closer. The model OMBP has a maximum
output of 800 bags per hour.
Models SAA-S and SAA-H are automatic valve type bag placers
for vertical or horizontal filling spouts. They are essentially
similar to the model OMBP, and feature an arm equipped with
suction cups which lifts the valve bottom bag, a tappet which
opens the bag, and clamping pincers which hold the bag firmly
onto the filling spout. They also incorporate electro-pneumatic
controls and a vacuum pump. These models are combined with an M1
bag magazine which can hold up to 1200 empty bags, and an SP
series bag distributor which aligns and separates the bag piles
and carries a bag to the arm of the SAA-S or SAA-H bag placer.
Models G-17, GA-17, and GS-17 bagging scales are used in
conjunction with the bag placers described above to weigh out the
precise amount of material to be packaged. Model G-17 contains a
weight indicator, reinforced bag spout, flow control inlet gate,
true scale weight beam, and bin attachment flanges, and is
designed for use with free flowing granular materials. The unit
is initially attached to the bottom of a material bin. When the
operator pulls down the gate handle, the inlet gate opens and the
material flows directly from the bin through the spout and into
the bag. The material continues to flow until the proper weight
is reached, at which point the gate closes automatically. Model
GA-17 incorporates a belt feeder and model GS-17 contains a screw
feeder, but otherwise the units are essentially the same as the
model G-17.
The applicable subheading for the models OMBP, SAA-S, and
SAA-H, whether imported separately or as a functional unit with a
bagging scale, will be 8422.30.9090, Harmonized Tariff Schedule
of the United States (HTS), which provides for other machinery
for filling, closing, sealing, capsuling or labeling boxes, bags
or similar containers: other. The rate of duty will be 3.6
percent ad valorem.
The applicable subheading for the models G-17, GA-17, and
GS-17 bagging scales, imported separately, will be 8423.30.0000,
HTS, which provides for constant-weight scales and scales for
discharging a predetermined weight of material into a bag or
container, including hopper scales. The rate of duty will be 4.4
percent ad valorem.
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