CLA-2-39:RR:NC:SP:221 B87893
Mr. Stephen L. Besler
W.J. Byrnes & Co.
P.O. Box 22377
Tucson, AZ 85714-1669
RE: The tariff classification of bicycle tire repair kits from Taiwan
Dear Mr. Besler:
In your letter dated July 3, 1997, on behalf of Innovations In Cycling, you requested a tariff classification ruling.
The bicycle tire repair kit consists of patches made of natural rubber, two tire levers made entirely of plastics used simultaneously to remove the inner tube from the tire rim, a valve extractor cap used to remove the stem from the tire valve to allow full deflation prior to removal from the rim, a buffer made of abrasive grains on a paper base used for preparing the surface of the flat tire, a tube of rubber cement adhesive to attach the rubber patch to the tire, and a valve cap to replace onto the valve stem once the repair is complete and the tire is reinflated. The components of the kit are packaged in a box made of molded plastics. Each of the components is used in the process of repairing the flat tire. The kit is considered to be a set with the essential character imparted by the rubber patches. The sample is being returned as you requested.
The applicable subheading for the tire repair kit will be 4016.99.3500, Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTS), which provides for other articles of vulcanized rubber other than hard rubber: of natural rubber: other. The rate of duty will be 1.7 percent ad valorem.
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 Joan Mazzola at 212-466-5580.
Sincerely,
Gwenn Klein Kirschner
Chief, Special Products Branch
National Commodity
Specialist Division