CLA-2-96:RR:NC:SP:233 D81103
Mr. John F. McManus
ITOCHU International Inc.
335 Madison Avenue
New York, NY 10017
RE: The tariff classification of a brush from Japan.
Dear Mr. McManus:
In your letter dated August 6, 1998, you requested a tariff classification
ruling.
The submitted sample is a small brush for use in the manufacture of winter
weather automobile tires. The brush will be imbedded in the tire itself, in a
fashion similar to the imbedding of metal studs in certain snow tires. The
bristle portion will protrude from the tire, adding traction to the tire. The
brush will absorb water and small ice and snow particles from the road surface
and scatter same out of the path of the tire by centrifugal force. The brush
bristles are composed of 100% polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDE) polymer. The metal
top to the brush is composed of stainless steel. The total weight of the brush
"stud" is 0.6 grams. The stainless steel portion is 0.2 grams, and the balance
(0.4 grams) is plastic.
The applicable subheading for the brush will be 9603.90.8050, Harmonized
Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTS), which provides for other brushes.
The rate of duty will be 3.4% 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 Lawrence Mushinske at 212-466-5739.
Sincerely,
Robert B. Swierupski
Director,
National Commodity
Specialist Division