CLA-2-39:RR:NC:2:238 A89918
Mr. Patrick Pascarella
Viking Sea Freight Inc.
181 South Franklin Avenue, Suite 607
Valley Stream, NY 11581
RE: The tariff classification of ASACLEAN G and ASACLEAN GG, in pellet form, from Japan
Dear Mr. Pascarella:
In your letter dated September 24, 1996, resubmitted on November 29, 1996, on behalf of your client, Asahi Chemical Industry America, Inc., you requested a tariff classification ruling.
The subject products, ASACLEAN G and ASACLEAN GG, are styrene-acrylonitrile (SAN) copolymers reinforced with glass fiber. ASACLEAN G consists of 85% by weight of styrene-acrylonitrile copolymer (66% styrene, 34% acrylonitrile) and 15% by weight of glass fiber. ASACLEAN GG consists of 70% by weight of styrene-acrylonitrile copolymer (76% styrene, 24% acrylonitrile) and 30% by weight of glass fiber. The MSDS sheets state that these products are used as purging compounds for plastic injection-molding machines and extruders. You state in your letter that the glass fiber functions to increase the efficiency of the purging process.
With respect to your request for a tariff classification ruling on ASACLEAN NM, please be advised that we require the percent by weight of each monomer making up the polymer, the physical form (i.e., pellets, flakes, etc.) of the imported resin, and the percent by weight of all other ingredients making up the resin. When this information is available, you may wish to resubmit your request.
The applicable subheading for ASACLEAN G and ASACLEAN GG will be 3903.20.0000, Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTS), which provides for: "Polymers of styrene, in primary forms: Styrene-acrylonitrile (SAN) copolymers." The rate of duty will be 0.7 cents per kilogram plus 8.1 percent ad valorem. The rate of duty in 1997 will be 0.4 cents per kilogram plus 7.5 percent ad valorem.
This merchandise may be subject to the requirements of the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA), which is administered by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. You may contact them at 402 M Street, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20460, telephone number (202) 554-1404, or EPA Region II at (908) 321-6669.
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 Cornelius Reilly at 212-466-5770.
Sincerely,
Roger J. Silvestri
Director
National Commodity
Specialist Division