CLA-2-84:S:N:N1:105 885591
Ms. Pam Brown
Cargo U.K., Inc.
4790 Aviation Parkway
Atlanta, GA 30349
RE: The tariff classification of beef and pork processing
machinery from the Netherlands
Dear Ms. Brown:
In your letter dated April 22, 1993 you requested a tariff
class- ification ruling on behalf of Stork RMS, Inc.
You submitted brochures on scalding machines, dehairing
machines and scraper blades therefor, and flaming furnaces.
Illustrated scalding machines include the pull through
scalding system, and the Turn-O-Matic. The pull through scalding
system is comprised of a conveyor that transports carcasses,
vertically suspended from bleeding chains, from the bleeding
section to the prewasher and then through the scalding tank, as
well as the tank with associated equipment. The carcasses travel
submerged through the tank, at the end of which the conveyor raises
them to a point where they are automatically released from the
chains. The tank is made of stainless steel. Immersion frames,
made of tubular steel sections and driven by a motor reducer,
ensure that carcasses remain submerged in the tank and keep them
moving.
The Turn-O-Matic is a scalding machine consisting of a hot dip
galvanized steel scalding tank with stainless steel doors. A
totally enclosed ball-bearing spoke drum provides effective
insulation and ensures that maximum scalding efficiency is achieved
with a minimum of water. The Turn-O-Matic is utilized in smaller
slaughterhouses and for that reason may have a flaming unit
attached in order to save the added expense of a flaming furnace.
The purpose of scalding is to cleanse the carcasses and open the
pores somewhat to facilitate the next process, dehairing.
Dehairing machines include the "Tarzan" and "Goliath"
machines. Used in large operations, the Tarzan receives carcasses
from a scalding tank or tunnel, which enter the machine via a
trough. Two drums equipped with scraper blocks impart a rotary
motion to the carcasses during dehairing. The rotary motion and
the helical motion produced by the staggered arrangement of the U-
bars effectively provide in-machine transport of the carcasses.
The carcasses are continuously sprayed with warm water to maximize
dehairing and wash away the hair.
The Goliath machine is a medium-capacity dehairer. It can be
fed from a continuous scalder, employing a conveyor and automatic
deshackling facility; from an immersion-type scalder, employing a
hydraulic scoop; or from the Turn-O-Matic.
The "David" is a machine that performs simultaneous scalding
and dehairing. A hog carcass is placed in the machine with the
help of a hoist or via the swing-away cover. The cover is then
closed and the machine locked. The machines stops automatically
at the end of the preset cycle
time.
The Stork Nijhuis scraper blocks can be successfully used in
virtually all dehairing machines. They are made of special rubber
reinforced with several nylon inlays. The hardened steel scrapers
are riveted to the block with supporting plates on the back for
strength.
The flaming furnace is used for the singeing of hog carcasses,
the finishing touch to the dehairing process. In addition to
removing any residual bristles and loose scruff, the desingeing
ensures virtual complete destruction of bacteria present on the
skin. The furnace has four gas/air mixing columns, each column
featuring 16 flame-stabilized burner nozzles.
The applicable subheading for the pull through scalding system
and the Turn-O-Matic will be 8419.89.5060, Harmonized Tariff
Schedule of the United States (HTS), which provides for other
machinery . . . for the treatment of materials by a process
involving a change of temperature: other. The rate of duty will
be 4.2 percent ad valorem.
The applicable subheading for the Tarzan and Goliath dehairing
machines, including those with flaming units, and for the David
scalding and dehairing machine will be 8438.50.0010, which provides
for industrial machinery, not specified or included elsewhere in
this chapter, for the preparation of meat or poultry. The
applicable subheading for the scraper blades will be 8438.90.9060,
which provides for parts of industrial machinery for the
preparation of meat or poultry. The rate of duty for both these
subheadings will be 3.5 percent ad valorem.
The applicable subheading for the flaming furnace will be
8417.80.0000, which provides for other industrial furnaces and
ovens, nonelectric. The rate of duty will be 5.7 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