CLA-2-59:RR:NC:TA:350 D86086

Mr. Edward DePouli
MEC Filtration Systems, Inc.
1 Commercial Drive
Florida, NY 10921

RE: The tariff classification of nearly finished liquid filtration bags (precut pads sewn into envelopes) for use in liquid filtration, from China. .

Dear Mr. DePouli:

In your letter dated 16, 1998, you requested a tariff classification ruling. The supplier is Xiamen Non-Wovens Co., Ltd, China.

Your letter states that you wish to import partially completed liquid filtration bags (envelopes) as represented by the instant sample. These bags are formed by using precut pads composed of needleloom felt measuring 24' x 36" and .075" thick and then folding and sewing them into envelopes or nearly completed liquid filtration bags. A ring, after importation, will ultimately be sewn into the open end of these bags to complete the unit. A finished bag would measure about 2 feet long and 7 inches in diameter. You provided the following technical information for the material used to make these bags. :

1) Nonwoven fabric* in precut pads 2) Micron rated 3) Blended polyester or polypropylene fibers 4) 380 grams per square meter

*This material is of a needleloom construction rather than of a nonwoven construction under heading 5603.

The finished bags have numerous uses in filtration which includes such things as prefiltering dirty water obtained from wells, rivers or lakes, filtering paint after manufacture and filtering a wide variety of liquid chemicals, etc.

The applicable subheading for these envelopes (nearly competed filtration bags) would be 5911.90.0080, HTS, which provides for textile products and articles for technical use. The duty rate is 6 percent ad valorem. Effective January 1, 1999, the rate of duty will be 5.6 percent ad valorem.

There are no textile restraints for this tariff number.

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 George Barth at 212-466-5884.


Sincerely,

Robert B. Swierupski
Director,
National Commodity
Specialist Division