CLA-2-84:S:N:N1:105 891498
Mr. Kirk T. Tengan
Hawaii Bio-Waste Systems, Inc.
238 Sand Island Access Road
Bay R-12
Honolulu, HI 86819
RE: The tariff classification of sterilizing equipment from Japan
Dear Mr. Tengan:
In your letter dated October 8, 1993 you requested a tariff
classification ruling.
You plan to purchase sets of equipment, called Trash Bursters, for
crushing and sterilizing medical wastes, thereby rendering them reusable or
safely disposable. This equipment crushes and sterilizes solid medical
waste such as injection needles, syringes and tubes, for reproduction into
recyclable materials such as aggregates and plastics products. A catalyst is
mixed with the waste prior to sterilization to enhance thorough heat
transfer as well as to absorb toxic gases exhausted from the waste. The
waste mixed with the catalyst is heated in the system for 5 to 10 minutes at
180 degrees Centigrade.
The applicable subheading for the Trash Bursters will be 8419.89.5075,
Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTS), which provides for
machinery, plant or laboratory equipment, whether or not electrically heated,
for the treatment of materials by a process involving a change of
temperature such as heating, cooking . . . sterilizing . . . , other than of
a kind used for domestic purposes: other: other: other. The rate of duty
will be 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