CLA-2-85:RR:NC:MA:101 A87010

Mr. Peter Steyn
Steyn & Associates
910 Brown Dr.
Murfreesboro, TN 37130

RE: The tariff classification of automotive windshield wiper blades from South Africa

Dear Mr. Steyn:

In your letter dated July 24, 1996 you requested a tariff classification ruling.

The item concerned (shown below; bent from shipping) is the DURABLADE Windshield Wiper Blade. It is a black, V-shaped strip composed of three basic parts; a squeegee, a spline and one end stopper at each end of the spline. The squeegee is the portion of the blade which wipes the windshield, the spline holds the squeegee and slides onto the windshield wiper track and the end stoppers prevent the spline from sliding off of the windshield wiper track. You state that the squeegee portion is composed of DOW-CORNING silicone, the spline is made of polycarbonate and the end stoppers are of EPDM rubber. The product literature you provided also states that, initially, the silicone squeegee is coated with a thin layer of industrial talc.

The applicable subheading for the DURABLADE Windshield Wiper Blade will be 8512.90.9000, Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTS), which provides for . . . windshield wipers . . . used for . . . cycles or motor vehicles; parts thereof: Parts: Other.

Pursuant to Section 502(a)(3) of the Trade Act of 1974 (19 U.S.C. 2462(a)(3)), South Africa is designated as a beneficiary developing country for the purposes of the Generalized System of Preferences provided for in Title V of the Trade Act of 1974, as amended (19 U.S.C. 2461 et seq.). Under these provisions, the item classified in this Binding Ruling is free of duty if manufactured in and imported into the U.S. from South Africa.

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 Robert DeSoucey at 212-466-5667.


Sincerely,

Roger J. Silvestri
Director
National Commodity
Specialist Division