CLA-2-84:RR:E:NC:N1:102
Mr. Larry E. Branch
FMC Technologies
2825 West Washington
Stephenville, TX 76401
RE: The tariff classification of parts of swivel joint pipe fittings
Dear Mr. Branch:
In your letter dated December 5, 2006 you requested a tariff classification ruling on behalf of FMC Technologies.
The articles in question are described as parts of swivel joint pipe fittings. The parts include Grade 200 alloy steel balls, a ball retainer, and a stainless steel retainer ring. The alloy steel balls are of a kind suitable for use in antifriction ball bearings and are used to allow the joint of the pipe fitting to swivel. The ball retainer, which is made of nitrile rubber, functions as plug to retain the balls within the swivel joint, while the retainer ring holds the balls within their rolling track. You indicate that the subject parts, together with a rubber seal and steel slotted screw, may also be imported as a repair kit for maintenance of the pipe fitting.
The applicable subheading for the alloy steel balls and repair kit will be 8482.91.0010, Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS), which provides for balls of alloy steel as parts of ball or roller bearings. The general rate of duty will be 4.4 percent ad valorem.
The applicable subheading for the ball retainer will be 4016.99.1500, HTSUS, which provides for other articles of vulcanized rubber other than hard rubber… caps, lids, seals, stoppers and other closures. The general rate of duty will be 2.7 percent ad valorem.
If you decide to resubmit your request, please include all of the material that we have returned to you and mail your request to U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Customs Information Exchange, 10th Floor, One Penn Plaza, New York, NY 10119, attn: Binding Rulings Section. If the information required does not involve sending a sample, you can re-submit your request and the additional information electronically.
Duty rates are provided for your convenience and are subject to change. The text of the most recent HTSUS and the accompanying duty rates are provided on World Wide Web at http://www.usitc.gov/tata/hts/.
This ruling is being issued under the provisions of Part 177 of the Customs Regulations (19 C.F.R. 177).
A copy of the ruling or the control number indicated above should be provided with the entry documents filed at the time this merchandise is imported. If you have any questions regarding the ruling, contact National Import Specialist Kenneth Brock at 646-733-3009.
Sincerely,
Robert B. Swierupski
Director,
National Commodity
Specialist Division