CLA-2-73:S:N:N1:103 876765
Mr. William O'Meara
C. Melchers & Co. America Inc.
55 New Montgomery St., Suite 888
San Francisco, CA 94105
RE: The tariff classification of buoy chain from China
Dear Mr. O'Meara:
In your letter dated July 22, 1992 you requested a tariff
classification ruling.
Your firm intends to import through various ports two types
of buoy chain for use in securing navigational buoys in coastal
and inland waterways. One type will consist of carbon steel
welded links 90 feet in length. These chains will be composed of
uniform oval-shaped links ranging from 12.7 to 48 millimeters in
diameter. The other type, which you refer to as buoy chain
bridle, is made of the same chain links. The buoy chain bridle
will be imported in lengths of 10, 12, 15, 18, or 26 feet, will
have uniform links ranging from 22 to 38 millimeters in diameter,
and will contain a circular bridle ring 6 or 8 inches in diameter
in the middle of the chain.
The applicable subheading for the buoy chain and buoy chain
bridle described above will be 7315.82.7000, Harmonized Tariff
Schedule of the United States (HTS), which provides for chain and
parts thereof, of iron or steel: other chain: other, welded link:
of iron or nonalloy steel: over 10 mm in diameter. The rate of
duty will be free.
You also stated in your letter that the word "China" will be
permanently stamped on the end link at each end of the buoy
chain, and on one end of the buoy chain bridle. Such marking is
sufficient for purposes of the marking regulations (19 C.F.R.
304).
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