CLA-2-39:RR:NC:N2:237 C88765
TARIFF NO: 3906.90.5000; 3913.90.2050; 3914.00.6000
Mr. Michael V. Pascal
BioSepra Corporation
111 Locke Drive
Marlborough, MA 01752
RE: The classification of various DEAE-, CM- and SP-Trisacryl;
DEAE-, CM- and SP-Spherodex; and Ultrogel-A and -AcA
filtration gels from France.
Dear Mr. Pascal:
In your letter dated June 1, 1998 you requested a
tariff classification ruling of various filtration gels used in ion exchange
chromatography for the separation of biological molecules.
DEAE-Trisacryl-M; DEAE-Trisacryl-LS; DEAE-Trisacryl-Plus-M;
DEAE-Trisacryl-Plus-LS; CM-Trisacryl-M; CM-Trisacryl-LS;
SP-Trisacryl-M; SP-Trisacryl-LS; SP-Trisacryl-Plus-M; and
SP-Trisacryl-PLUS-LS ion-exchange resins are synthesized by the copolymerization
of a primary monomer, N-acryloyl-2-amino-2-
hydroxymethyl-1,3-propanediol, and an acrylic cationic or anionic monomer
derivative. The ionizable functional groups are cationic in the DEAE-
(diethylaminoethyl) Trisacryl gels; and anionic in the CM- (carboxyl) and SP-
(sulfonate) Trisacryl gels. The extremely hydrophilic nature of the matrix
provides for the fixation and elution of proteins due solely to ion exchange
phenomena. The primary monomer acts as a rigid framework and the functional
monomer assures the ion exchange properties. The presence of three
hydroxymethyl groups on each primary monomer results in a high degree of
hydrophilicity.
The applicable subheading for all ten Trisacryl gels will
be 3914.00.6000, Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS), which
provides for ion-exchangers based on polymers of headings 3901 to 3913, in
primary forms: other. The rate of duty is 3.9 percent ad valorem.
CM-Spherodex-M and CM-Spherodex-LS are anionic exchange resins consisting
of macroporous silica beads coated with cross-
linked dextran to which free carboxylic acid groups are attached.
DEAE-Spherodex-M and DEAE-Spherodex-LS are cationic exchange resins consisting
of macroporous silica beads coated with cross-
linked dextran to which dimethylaminoethyl groups are attached.
SP Spherodex M and LS are anionic exchange resins consisting of macroporous
silica beads coated with cross-linked dextran to which free sulfonic acid groups
are attached. They are used in the purification of enzymes and other proteins.
The presence of the hyhrophilic polymer, which completely covers the silica,
results in a high degree of hydrophilicity.
The applicable subheading for all six Spherodex products will be
3914.00.6000, Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS), which
provides for ion-exchangers based on polymers of headings 3901 to 3913, in
primary forms: other. The rate of duty is 3.9 percent ad valorem.
Ultrogel-AcA54; and Ultrogel-AcA202 are each composed of a mixed matrix of
polyacrylamide and agarose which combine the high resolution of polyacrylamide
and the rigidity of agarose. In each of these the polyacrylamide portion
predominates over the agarose.
The applicable subheading for Ultrogel-AcA54; and Ultrogel-
AcA202 will be 3906.90.5000, Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States
(HTSUS), which provides for acrylic polymers in primary forms: other: other:
other. The rate of duty is 4.2 percent ad valorem.
Ultrogel-AcA22; Ultrogel-AcA34; and Ultrogel-AcA44 are each composed of a
mixed matrix of polyacrylamide and agarose which combine the high resolution of
polyacrylamide and the rigidity of agarose. Agarose is a polysaccharide gel
that acts as a sieve. In each of these, the agarose exists in equal or
predominate proportion to the polyacrylamide. Ultrogel-A2; Ultrogel-A4; and
Ultrogel-A6 are each composed of pure agarose.
The applicable subheading for Ultrogel-AcA22; Ultrogel-
AcA34; Ultrogel-AcA44; Ultrogel-A2; Ultrogel-A4; and Ultrogel-A6 will be
3913.90.2050, Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS), which
provides for natural polymers and modified natural polymers not elsewhere
specified or included, in primary forms: polysaccharides and their derivatives:
other. The rate of duty is 5.8 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 F. Cantone at 212-
466-5488.
Sincerely,
Robert B. Swierupski
Director,
National Commodity
Specialist Division