CLA-2-90:S:N:N1:104 869938
Ms. Linda Campanian
Milne & Craighead CB (USA), Inc.
200 International Blvd., P.O. Box 2
Sweetgrass, Montana 59848
RE: The tariff classification of electrophoresis equipment from
Canada.
Dear Ms. Campanian:
In your letter dated December 13, 1991 on behalf of Tyler
Research Corporation of Edmonton, Alberta, Canada you requested a
tariff classification ruling.
The ET-10 Electrophoretic Transfer System consists of two
electrode modules, 10cm x 10cm precision ground graphite
electrodes with platinum contact lines, power leads and
instructions. ET of proteins and nucleic acids employs direct
electrical current to drive separated or banded molecules from
the gel matrix onto the surface of a membrane filter where they
are easily accessible for immunological or fluorescent detection,
hybridization, autoradiography or elution.
The VT-10 Vacuum Transfer System includes the primary
manifold, one porous polyethelene support sheet and five
polyethylene sheets (masks). The vacuum system can only be used
for nucleic acid transfer. The transfer is from agarose gels onto
a nylon membrane.
The Vacuum Regulator VR-40 is assembled from acrylic parts,
silicone tubing and a brass needle valve. It is not a part of the
Vacuum Transfer System and will be imported separately.
The EE-04 Electrophoretic Elution System consists of primary
electrophoretic chamber, gravity fed mixing chamber, hinged
safety interlocked cover, silicone tubing, 2 extraction cells,
power leads and instructions. EE is a means of isolating proteins
of extreme purity from one and two dimensional polyacrylamide
gels.
The SBE-06 Salt Bridge Elution System consists of a primary
electrophotetic chamber, hinged safety interlocked cover, 6-
chamber salt bridge elution cell, power leads and instructions.
SBE is used to extract nucleic acids and proteins from gel
matrices.
The PG-12 Preparative Gel Electrophoresis System is
supplied with reservoir covers, continuous flow elution module
with paired sintered frits, borosilicate gel tube, elution buffer
reservoir, connecting tubing, power leads and instructions. The
PG-12 utilizes tube gel electrophoresis to actually separate
biological materials. The flow elution module is then used to
subdivide the separated material into smaller fractions. You
indicate that the initial volume (2 mls) makes the PG-12
ineffective for use in commercial recovery of materials. To your
knowledge, recovery on the order of ten to a hundred times
greater is required for commercial purposes.
The applicable subheading for the PG-12 Preparative Gel
Electrophoresis System will be 9027.20.4200, Harmonized Tariff
Schedule of the United States (HTS), which provides for
electrical electrophoresis instruments, not incorporating an
optical or other measuring device. The duty rate will be 3.9
percent ad valorem.
The applicable subheading for the ET-10 and VT-10 Transfer
Systems and the EE-04 and SBE-06 Elution Systems will be
9027.90.4200, HTS, which provides for parts and accessories for
electrical electrophoresis instruments, not incorporating an
optical or other measuring device. The duty rate will be 3.9
percent.
The applicable subheading for the VR-40 Vacuum Regulator
will be 8481.10.0090, HTS, which provides for other pressure
reducing (pressure regulating) valves. The duty rate will be 3.7
percent.
Goods classifiable under subheadings 9027.20.4200,
9027.90.4200 and 8481.10.0090, 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