CLA-2-84:RR:NC:1:104 C87628
Mr. Kenneth Putney
Metalor Dental USA Corp.
255 John L. Dietsch Boulevard
North Attleborough, MA 02761
RE: The tariff classification of a torch system from Switzerland
Dear Mr. Putney:
In your letter dated May 7, 1998 you requested a tariff
classification ruling.
The MP Meteor Torch System is used to melt and solder
ceramic and conventional alloys in dental laboratories. The
torches use propane-oxygen or propane-compressed air. The
literature indicates that the system consists of a universal
handle (essentially a hand operated valve) which can be used with
a variety of "blow pipes". The mixing of gases occurs in the
handle, not in the pipes. The blow pipes do not incorporate any
valves. You have indicated that the components may not always be
imported as systems. There may be shipments of a number of
systems plus extra handles or extra blowpipes or these components
may be imported separately.
Certain blowpipes are used for melting and others for
soldering, however the technology is basically the same. (None of
the items at issue here are used for welding or brazing.) The
blow pipes for melting alloys which will be used in casting,
Models "O" Regular, "A" Regular and "O-NP", are said to have
larger nozzles which produce a higher flame. The flame size is
also controlled by varying the pressure and mixture of the two
gases flowing through the torch by varying the settings of the
gas valves on the universal handle. The blow pipes for soldering,
models "O-S", "O-Micro" and "A-S", have smaller nozzles. The
Micro, for fine soldering, consists of a needle holder "O" Micro
with set of 3 needles (0.9 mm, 1.2 mm and 1.6 mm). The Models "O-S" and "A-S" fit directly into the universal handle. For the "O"
Micro, the soldering needle is attached to the holder (comprising
a blow pipe) which in turn is attached to the universal handle.
The applicable subheading for the MP Meteor Torch System
(universal handle with blowpipe "OS" or "AS" or with needle
holder "O" Micro and set of 3 needles) will be 8468.10.0000,
Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTS), which
provides for hand-held blow torches. The rate of duty will be
3.5 percent. The blowpipes ("OS", "AS" and "O" Micro with set of
three needles) imported without the universal handle will also be
classified under HTS subheading 8468.10.0000.
The applicable subheading for the universal handle (extra
handles for a torch system or handles imported separately) will
be 8481.80.1095, HTS, which provides for other hand operated
valves of copper. The rate of duty will be 4.3 percent.
The needles imported separately or extra needles imported
with a torch system will be classified under HTS subheading
8468.90.1000 which provides for parts of hand-directed or -controlled machinery and apparatus for soldering, brazing or
welding, whether or not capable of cutting, other than those of
heading 8515. The rate of duty will be 3.5 percent.
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
Losche at 212-466-5670.
Sincerely,
Robert B. Swierupski
Director,
National Commodity
Specialist Division