CLA-2-84:S:N:N1:106-888955
Mr. A J Phillips
Fire & Safety Training Ltd.
P.O. Box 999
Ruthin, Clwyd LL15 1AJ
United Kingdom
RE: The tariff classification of a fire extinguisher from England.
Dear Mr. Phillips:
In your letter dated July 27, 1993 you requested a tariff
classification ruling. You submitted technical and descriptive
literature with your request.
The "Firetrace" automatic fire extinguisher is a simple self-
activating linear fire extinguisher designed for installation
inside enclosed areas such as cabinets, machinery housings, engine
compartments and the like. It comprises a length of special
flexible polymer containing a fire extinguishing medium under
pressure. When heated the tubing softens and the internal pressure
causes it to rupture at the hottest point, thereby spraying the
extinguishant onto the core of the fire. Connected to one end of
the trace tube is a gauge showing the internal pressure. For
larger areas a reservoir of extinguishant is connected to the tube;
these reservoirs are of the standard fire extinguisher type. All
the usual extinguishing media may be used: water, powder, halon,
CO2, and NAFS3.
The applicable subheading for the "Firetrace" fire
extinguisher will be 8424.10.0000, Harmonized Tariff Schedule of
the United States (HTS), which provides for fire extinguishers,
whether or not charged. The rate of duty will be 3.7 percent ad
valorem.
Your inquiry also asks about possible import restrictions with
regard to the extinguishing media. You should know that some
extinguishants, notably halon and similar extinguishing media, may
be subject to the regulations of the Environmental Protection
Agency, Global Change Division. You may contact them at 401 M
Street SW, Washington, D.C. 20460, telephone number (202) 233-9131. Insofar as your request to know about any other possible
import requirements with respect to importing your merchandise, you
may direct any questions to the local import specialist or entry
office at the district office where you will be entering your
merchandise.
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