Nov. 7 CBP Bulletin Proposes to Revoke Rulings on Screwdrivers and Valve Cable Supports

November 13, 2012 by Tim Warren|Customs

In the Nov. 7 issue of the CBP Bulletin (Vol. 46, No. 46), CBP published a notice proposing to revoke rulings and similar treatment regarding the tariff classification of screwdrivers and valve cable supports.

Comments on Proposed Revocations Due Dec. 7

CBP said consideration will be given to any written comments received by Dec. 7 before taking this action. In addition, any party who has received a ruling or decision on the merchandise that is subject to the proposed revocations, or any party involved with a substantially identical transaction, should advise CBP by the date that written comments on the proposed ruling are due. (An importer's failure to advise CBP of such rulings, decisions, or substantially identical transactions may raise issues of reasonable care on the part of the importer or its agents for importations subsequent to the effective date of the final decision in this notice.)

Proposed Revocations

CBP is proposing to revoke or modify the rulings below, and any rulings on these products that may exist but have not been specifically identified. CBP is also proposing to revoke or modify any treatment it has previously accorded to substantially identical transactions.

Screwdrivers with Interchangeable Bits

Item: Two styles of screwdrivers with interchangeable bits. The first screwdriver is a 6-in-one Supergrip Screwdriver with six attached bits. The screwdriver has a plastic handle with a 2.5 inch black grip. The shank is made of carbon steel. There are six bits made of chrome vanadium steel that measure 1 inch in length and are housed on the screwdriver. The screwdriver and bits are sold as a single unit.

The second screwdriver is an interchangeable tool consisting of six bits (two flat head screwdriver bits, two Phillips head screwdriver bits and two star shaped bits) with a lighted “driver” handle. The handle incorporates a magnetized, telescoping shaft and a small battery powered light to illuminate the tool. Each bit, measuring approximately one inch, is stored in a molded plastic housing located in the handle

Current: 8207.90.6000, 4.3% (Other interchangeable tools, and parts thereof: Other: Other: Not suitable for cutting metal, and parts thereof: For handtools, and parts thereof)

Proposed: 8205.40.0000, 6.2%, ([h]and tools (including glass cutters) not elsewhere specified or included;blow torches and similar self-contained torches; vises, clamps and the like, other than accessories for and parts of machine tools; anvils portable forges; hand- or pedal-operated grinding wheels with frameworks; base metal parts thereof: [s]crewdrivers, and parts thereof.)

Reason: CBP said because the screwdriver bits are imported with the screwdriver shaft and screwdriver handle, are stored within the actual screwdriver handle itself, and the screwdriver bits, shaft, and handle are all sold together in retail, CBP has now determined that the article is classified as a complete article pursuant to GRI 1. Therefore the screwdriver and bit are classifiable as a single tool screwdriver under heading 8205.

Proposed for revocation: NY D87806 (1999), NY D888605 (1999)

Proposed new ruling: HQ H070915, HQ H070916

Valve Cable Support

Item: Valve Cable Support. The item is made of non-alloy carbon steel and is used to support and protect electrical cables that run between a valve assembly and an injection molding machine on a plastic injection molding system

Current: 7326.90.8588, 2.9% (other articles of iron or steel, other, other, other, other, other.)

Proposed: 8477.90.85, 3.1%, (Machinery for working rubber or plastics or for the manufacture of products from these materials, not specified or included elsewhere in this chapter; parts thereof: Parts: Other.)

Reason: CBP found that the valve cable supports are both dedicated solely for use with the injection molding machine and an integral component of the machine, without which the machine would not function properly. Therefore the supports should be classified as machinery for working rubber or plastics, said CBP.

Proposed for revocation: NY N134819 (2010)

Proposed new ruling: HQ H207578