CLA-2-57:RR:NC:TA:349 F87446
Mr. Edgar Hagopian
Hagopian World of Rugs
850 S. Old Woodward
Birmingham, MI 48009
RE: The tariff classification of carpets from Iran.
Dear Mr. Hagopian:
In your letter dated May 16, 2000 you requested a tariff classification ruling.
You indicate that you will be importing carpets. The carpets are described in your letter as hand-knotted wool rugs. A sample of the rug was not submitted.
In October 1987, the United States imposed a trade embargo on imports to the United States from Iran under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) and implementing regulations in Title 31 of the Code of Federal Regulations Part 560. Effective April 28, 2000, the regulations were amended to authorize the importation of certain Iranian-origin foodstuffs intended for human consumption, carpets and other textile floor coverings. Section 560.524 (b) Household goods and personal effects was amended to read as follows:
(b) “household and personal effects include all articles meeting the criteria stated in this paragraph regardless of the time elapsed since the importer’s arrival in the United States from Iran.”
Section 560.534 (a) is added to subpart E to read as follows:
31 CFR 560.534 Importation into the United States of certain foodstuffs and carpets is authorized.
(a) The importation into the United States, from Iran or a third country, of the following goods of Iranian-origin is authorized:
(1) Foodstuffs intended for human consumption that are classified under Chapters 2-23 of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States Annotated.
(2) Carpets and other textile floor coverings and carpets used as wall hangings that are classified either under Chapter 57 or under heading 9706.00.0060 of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States.
For additional information regarding the amendments to the Iranian Transaction Regulations, 31 CFR part 560, please refer to the May 3, 2000 Federal Register, Volume 65, Number 86 at page 25642.
The applicable subheading for the carpets will be 5701.10.4000, Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTS), which provides for carpets and other textile floor coverings, knotted, whether or not made up: of wool or fine animal hair: other: hand-hooked, that is, in which the tufts were inserted and knotted by hand or by means of a hand tool. The rate of duty will be 2 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 John Hansen at 212-637-7078.
Sincerely,
Robert B. Swierupski
Director,
National Commodity
Specialist Division