CLA-2-58:OT:RR:NC:N3:350
Mr. Jan de Beer
Frost Brown Todd, LLC
250 West Main Street
Suite 2800
Lexington, KY 40507-1749
RE: The tariff classification of braided aramid biaxial sleeving
Dear Mr. de Beer:
In your letter dated June 5, 2015, you requested a tariff classification ruling on behalf of A & P Technology, Inc. Two samples were provided.
ProductsY81L400X and MM81L700R are loosely plaited tubular braids without a core, sold on reels. According to the information provided, the biaxial braiding used to make the products is a 2 x 2 twill, with two yarns crossing over and under each other. The braids are defined at a +/-45o orientation and are seamless, so that all fibers within the reinforcement work together to carry the load. The braids are manufactured in sleeving rather than fabric form. Because of the braiding, the products can take on the exact shape and dimension of the part over which they are pulled.
Product Y81L400X, said to be composed of Twaron® aramid fibers, has an inner diameter of four inches (approximately five inches in width in the flattened state). You state that such “smaller diameter” sleeving is commonly used as composite reinforcement for recreational equipment such as hockey sticks, baseball bats, reinforcement for inflatable structures, and abrasion resistance for hosing and belting.
Product MM81L700R, said to be composed of Kevlar® aramid fibers, has an inner diameter of seven inches (approximately nine inches in width in the flattened state). You state that such “larger diameter” sleeving is commonly used as composite reinforcement for aircraft propellers, netting for jet engines and other rotational (i.e. fans, etc.) containment systems, and reinforcement for inflatable structures.
In your submission you suggest classification under 5808.10.9000, Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS), as other than braids in the piece. However, this product would be considered to be braid in the piece.
The applicable subheading for Products Y81L400X and MM81L700R will be 5808.10.7000, HTSUS, which provides for Braids in the piece … Of cotton or man-made fibers. The rate of duty will be 7.4 percent ad valorem.
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 assumption that the subject goods, in their condition as imported into the United States, conform to the facts and the description as set forth both in the ruling request and in this ruling. In the event that the facts or merchandise are modified in any way, you should bring this to the attention of Customs and you should resubmit for a new ruling in accordance with 19 CFR 177.2. You should also be aware that the material facts described in the foregoing ruling may be subject to periodic verification by Customs.
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 Maribeth Dunajski at [email protected].
Sincerely,
Gwenn Klein Kirschner
Director
National Commodity Specialist Division