CLA-2-98:RR:NC:SP:233 H87076
Mr. J. Todd Reves
Rodriguez O’Donnell Fuerst Gonzalez & Williams
1710 Rhode Island Avenue, N.W.
Tenth Floor
Washington, D.C. 20036
RE: The tariff classification of articles destined for the 2002 Salt Lake City Olympic Winter Games and the 2002 Paralympic Winter Games from multiple countries.
Dear Mr. Reves:
In your letter dated January 7, 2002, on behalf of Schenker, Inc., you requested a tariff classification ruling on goodwill articles intended to be given to delegations from other countries.
At this time, the two countries of export are China and Taiwan, however, other countries may become involved. The goodwill articles will include shirts, sweatshirts, pins, hats, towels, bathrobes, shoes, pens, flags, jackets, watches, sport bags, brochures, posters, flyers, scarves, and gloves. The articles will generally be emblazoned with the offering National Olympic Committee’s name and Olympic symbol. They will not be sold or distributed to the public but presented to members of the various delegations.
Subheading 9817.60.0000 covers: Any of the following articles not intended for sale or distribution to the public: personal effects of aliens who are participants in, officials of, or accredited members of delegations to, an international athletic event held in the United States, such as the Olympics and Paralympics, the Goodwill Games, the Special Olympics World Games, the World Cup Soccer Games, or any similar international athletic event as the Secretary of the Treasury may determine, and of persons who are immediate family members of or servants to any of the foregoing persons; equipment and materials imported in connection with any such foregoing event by or on behalf of the foregoing persons or the organizing committee of such an event, articles to be used in exhibitions depicting the culture of a country participating in such an event; an, if consistent with the foregoing, such other articles as the Secretary of the Treasury may allow.
Since the articles are not intended for sale or distribution to the public and are materials imported in connection with the 2002 Salt Lake City Olympic Winter Games and the 2002 Paralympic Winter Games, if they are imported by or on behalf of the participants, officials or accredited members of the delegations or of the organizing committees, they will qualify for classification under subheading 9817.60.0000, Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTS). The rate of duty will be free.
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 646-733-3036.
Sincerely,
Robert B. Swierupski
Director,
National Commodity
Specialist Division