CLA-2-59:OT:RR:NC:N3:350
Ms. Breena L. Bakey
Flexsteel Industries, Inc.
385 Bell Street
Dubuque, IA 52001
RE: The tariff classification of a coated polyester jacquard weave upholstery fabric from China
Dear Ms. Bakey:
In your letter dated March 19, 2020, you requested a tariff classification ruling. A sample swatch was submitted. Because of the COVID-19 National Emergency, this office utilized high quality photos of the samples to aid our determination.
Flexsteel Pattern 833 Annette is a coated jacquard woven fabric of yarns of different colors. According to the information provided, this fabric is composed of a blend of polyester, rayon and linen. Specifically, this sample is composed of 63 percent polyester fibers, 22 percent linen fibers, and 15 percent rayon fibers. The fabric weighs 472 g/m2. Your letter indicates that an acrylic latex backing has been applied to the fabric. You indicate that this fabric will be produced in widths of 54 inches and will be used for upholstery.
In your submission you suggest classification of this fabric under subheading 5515.19.0090, Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS), as another woven fabric of synthetic fibers. However, this office recognizes the plastic coating to be visible to the naked eye.
The applicable subheading for 833 Annette will be 5903.90.2500, HTSUS, which provides for “Textile fabrics impregnated, coated, covered or laminated with plastics, other than those of heading 5902: Other: Of man-made fibers: Other: Other.” The rate of duty will be 7.5 percent ad valorem.
Pursuant to U.S. Note 20 to Subchapter III, Chapter 99, HTSUS, products of China classified under subheading 5903.90.2500, HTSUS, unless specifically excluded, are subject to an additional 25 percent ad valorem rate of duty. At the time of importation, you must report the Chapter 99 subheading, i.e., 9903.88.03, in addition to subheading 5903.90.2500, HTSUS, listed above.
The HTSUS is subject to periodic amendment so you should exercise reasonable care in monitoring the status of goods covered by the Note cited above and the applicable Chapter 99 subheading. For background information regarding the trade remedy initiated pursuant to Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974, you may refer to the relevant parts of the USTR and CBP websites, which are available at https://ustr.gov/issue-areas/enforcement/section-301-investigations/tariff-actions and https://www.cbp.gov/trade/remedies/301-certain-products-china respectively.
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 the World Wide Web at https://hts.usitc.gov/current.
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 Michael Capanna via email at [email protected].
Sincerely,
Steven A. Mack
Director
National Commodity Specialist Division