NY 866395

Sep. 11, 1991


CLA-2-84:S:N:N1:103 866395

Mr. Ed Baker
A. N. Deringer, Inc.
30 West Service Road
Champlain, NY 12919-9703

RE: The tariff classification of the Card Express from Canada

Dear Mr. Baker:

In your letter dated August 21, 1991 on behalf of Card Express you requested a tariff classification ruling.

The Card Express is a vending machine which prints small quantities of business cards, invitations, or similar small cards. It is a free-standing machine essentially comprised of a vandal-proof cabinet incorporating a touch screen, computer, printer, and a unit which accepts coins, bills, or a credit card. After depositing the required amount of money, typically $5.00, an instruction program will be displayed on the screen. The program offers a choice of 4 different card sizes, 26 layouts, and 5 typefaces. The customer selects the desired card size, layout, and typeface, as well as the desired wording, by touching the appropriate spot on the screen. After the selections have been made, a thermal transfer printer prints 50 business cards or 25 double-sized invitations in about a minute. The Card Express machine is intended for installation at conference and exhibition centers, airports, print shops, and similar locations. It measures 56 inches high, 21 inches wide, and 26 inches deep, and has the capacity to supply up to 154 customers before resupply is required.

The applicable subheading for the Card Express vending machine will be 8476.19.0000, Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTS), which provides for other automatic goods- vending machines. The duty rate will be 3.9 percent ad valorem. Goods classifiable under subheading 8476.19.0000, HTS, which have originated in the territory of Canada, will be entitled to a free rate of duty under the United States-Canada Free Trade Agreement (FTA) upon compliance with all applicable regulations.

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