CLA-2-39:S:N:N1-F:238 870775
Mr. Wayne Buehrer
Tomen America Inc.
444 Market Street
Suite 1000
San Francisco, CA 94111
RE: The tariff classification of Sodium hyaluronate, in bulk
form, from Japan.
Dear Mr. Buehrer:
In your letter dated January 16, 1992, received on January
23, 1992, you requested a tariff classification ruling.
Sodium hyaluronate is a sodium salt of hyaluronic acid,
which is an acid mucopolysaccharide having a molecular weight of
several hundred thousands to several millions. Hyaluronic acid
exists naturally in the vitreous humor, umbilical cord, articular
humor, skin, vomer membrane humor, serum, chicken comb, shark
skin, and whale cartilage in large quantities. Hyaluronic acid
also exists in combination with protein in connective tissue such
as skin. You state that the instant product is extracted from
fresh chicken comb. You further state that it will be used for
intra-articular injection in horses, and also as an ingredient in
cosmetics and skin moisturizers.
The applicable subheading for Sodium hyaluronate will be
3913.90.2050, Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States
(HTS), which provides for natural polymers ... and modified
natural polymers ..., not elsewhere specified or included, in
primary forms: polysaccharides and their derivatives, other. The
rate of duty will be 5.8 percent ad valorem.
This merchandise may be subject to the regulations of the
Food and Drug Administration. You may contact them at 5600
Fishers Lane, Rockville, Maryland 20857, telephone number (202)
443-3380.
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