CLA-2-73:RR:NC:1:117 D83810
Mr. Darin C. Lai
Morrison Group International, Inc.
2461 E. Orangethorpe Avenue
Fullerton, California 92831
RE: The tariff classification of steel branch outlets from
China.
Dear Mr. Lai:
In your letter dated October 16, 1998, you requested a
tariff classification ruling. Descriptive literature and two
representative samples were submitted with your ruling request.
The products to be imported are carbon steel threaded branch
outlet pipe fittings which are designed for use in fire
protection sprinkler systems. The branch outlets are made from
either bar stock or pipes/tubes. These branch outlets, used to
connect the sprinkler head to the main pipe system, will be
imported in a wide range of sizes. You state that "China" will
be permanently etched into the body of the product by means of
chemical etching.
The applicable subheading for the threaded branch outlets
will be 7307.92.30, Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United
States (HTS), which provides for tube or pipe fittings (for
example, couplings, elbows, sleeves), of iron or steel, other,
threaded elbows, bends and sleeves, sleeves (couplings). The
rate of duty will be 3.7 percent ad valorem.
The marking statute, section 304, Tariff Act of 1930, as
amended (19 U.S.C. 1304), provides that, unless excepted, every
article of foreign origin (or its container) imported into the
U.S. shall be marked in a conspicuous place as legibly, indelibly
and permanently as the nature of the article (or its container)
will permit, in such a manner as to indicate to the ultimate
purchaser in the U.S. the English name of the country of origin
or the article.
19 U.S.C. 1304(c)(1), requires that all pipe (iron, steel,
stainless steel), tube and pipe fittings (steel, stainless steel,
chrome-moly steel or cast or malleable iron) shall be marked to
indicate the proper country of origin by one of five methods, die
stamping, cast-in-mold lettering, etching, engraving, or
continuous paint stenciling.
Permanently marking the country of origin by means of
acid/chemical etching would be an acceptable means of marking the
outlet branches. It should be noted that a permanent marking is
one which cannot be rubbed or scratched off or otherwise easily
removed without the use of solvents, abrasives, high speed
mechanical buffers, etc.
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 Paula
Ilardi at 212-466-5476.
Sincerely,
Robert B. Swierupski
Director,
National Commodity
Specialist Division