CLA-2-71:RR:NC:1:115 B85281
Mr. Joseph J. Werner
Degussa Corporation
3900 South Clinton Avenue
South Plainfield, NJ 07080
RE: The tariff classification of gauze from Germany and/or Brazil.
Dear Mr. Werner:
In your letter dated April 30, 1997, you requested a tariff
classification ruling.
The subject item, that will be imported in large rolls, is
described as a semimanufactured gauze which is made of 90% platinum
and 10% rhodium. After importation into the U.S., the gauze will
be burned, degreased, cut, trimmed, and shaped. The end product
will then be marketed for catalytic use in the production of nitric
acid.
The applicable subheading for the Pt/Rh gauze will be
7115.90.6000, Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States
(HTS), which provides for other articles of precious metal or of
metal clad with precious metal: other. The duty rate will be 5.6%
ad valorem.
Articles classifiable under subheading 7115.90.6000, HTS,
which are
products of Brazil, are entitled to duty free treatment under the
Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) upon compliance with all
applicable regulations.
Consideration was given to classifying this product under
subheading 9802.00.50 or 9802.00.80, HTS, as you have suggested.
However, for 9802.00.50 to apply, the item must be of certain
material(s) which your product is not. 9802.00.80, HTS is limited
to assembly operations.
This ruling is being issued under the provisions of Part 177
of the Customs Regulations (19 C.F.R. 177).
A copy of this 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 Melvyn Birnbaum at 212-466-5487.
Sincerely,
Robert B. Swierupski
Chief, Metals & Machinery Branch
National Commodity
Specialist Division