CLA-2-84:S:N:N1:110 876002
Mr. L.J. Sutherland
Mountain Loom Co. Ltd.
P.O. Box 248
Curlew, WA 99118
RE: The tariff classification of Wool Carding Machines from
Australia
Dear Mr. Sutherland:
In your letter dated June 23, 1992, you requested a tariff
classification ruling.
The merchandise under consideration involves two models of
carding machines that are designed for handling coarse wool
fibers, mohair and fine Merino wool.
Model 500 is approximately 1.2 meters long and 720mm high,
and is designed for producing either a continuous sliver or a
wide batt. Carding is a process of opening and cleaning textile
fibers, separating fibers from each other, laying them parallel,
making them into a thin web, and condensing them into a
continuous, untwisted fiber called a "sliver". This model will
deliver an average of 8kg of wool or mohair per hour, and the
yield is further increased if courser wool is used. The ten
drums within the machine are driven by a single phase 3/4 H.P.
electric motor which can be plugged into any household unit. The
model 500 carder is very suitable for a country farmers Co-Op or
small land owner who wishes to process some of their product for
the local market or cottage industry.
Model 200 carder is the smaller brother of Model 500. It
incorporates six drums for moving the wool fiber from the feed
tray to the exit. It is driven by a 1/4 H.P. single phase motor,
and can deliver an average of 4-5 kg per hour.
The applicable subheading for the two models of Carding
machines will be 8445.11.0000, Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the
United States (HTS), which provides for carding machines
(machines for preparing textile fibers). The duty rate will be
4.2 percent ad valorem. Duty on certain types of carding
machines have been temporarily suspended. Subheading
9902.84.45, HTS, provides for the temporary free entry from most
favored nations of carding and spinning machines specially
designed for wool, other than machines specially designed for the
manufacture of combed wool (worsted) yarns (provided for in
subheading 8445.11.00 or 8445.20.00). This relates to entries
made on or before December 31, 1992.
Your inquiry does not provide enough information for us to
give a classification ruling on the "Roberta" electronic spinning
wheel. Your request for a classification ruling should include
specifics as to how or why this machine is designed specially for
processing wool. The literature furnished indicates that this
machine can spin fine yarns for lace making and still be able to
make heavy bulky yarns for rug making. Please clarify whether
this machine is "specially designed for spinning wool". If this
machine does not qualify under the temporary free provision of
9902.84.45, it would be classifiable under HTS number
8445.20.0000, as a textile spinning machine, at a duty rate of
4.2 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