Recent CBP NY Rulings
The following are short summaries of recent CBP NY rulings issued by the agency's National Commodity Specialist Division in New York:
N334264: The country of origin of Soothing Powder Lotion
| Country of Origin: U.S. |
| Item: A soothing powder lotion, which is formulated and processed in the U.S. using raw materials sourced from various countries. The lotion is produced in the U.S., then shipped to China in bulk containers for filling and retail packaging before exportation. |
| Reason: The filling and packaging process in China is merely a minor one that leaves the identity of the subject product intact. |
| Ruling Date: Aug. 18, 2023 |
N334323: The tariff classification of a handbag from China
| HTS: 4202.22.1500, 9903.88.03, 16% + 25%, "Handbags, whether or not with shoulder strap, including those without a handle, with outer surface of sheeting of plastic or of textile materials, with outer surface of sheeting of plastics." |
| Item: A handbag constructed with an outer surface of plastic sheeting. It is designed and sized to contain the small personal effects that are carried on a daily basis. It has a zipper closure, a detachable wrist strap, a detachable shoulder strap, several slot pockets, a middle divider, and two open storage compartments suitable for three-dimensional objects. |
| Reason: N/A |
| Ruling Date: Aug. 18, 2023 |
N334376: The tariff classification of a carry bag from Cambodia
| HTS: 4202.92.9100, 17.6%, "Other containers and cases, with outer surface of sheeting of plastics or of textile materials, other, other, with outer surface of textile materials, of man-made fibers (except for jewelry boxes of a kind normally sold at retail with their contents)." |
| Item: A padded carry case for a Rivian Manual Tonneau Cover. It is constructed of man-made textile materials. It is designed to provide storage, protection and portability to the cover when not in use. |
| Reason: N/A |
| Ruling Date: Aug. 18, 2023 |
N334399: The tariff classification of Epoxy Pigment Paste from China
| HTS: 3204.17.9086, 9903.88.03, 6.5% + 25%, "Synthetic organic coloring matter, whether or not chemically defined; preparations as specified in note 3 to this chapter based on synthetic organic coloring matter; synthetic organic products of a kind used as fluorescent brightening agents or as luminophores, whether or not chemically defined: Synthetic organic coloring matter and preparations based thereon as specified in note 3 to this chapter: Pigments and preparations based thereon: Other: Other: Other." |
| Item: A pigment paste intended to be used to as a coloring agent for epoxy resin, silicon, and rubber. The paste is a preparation, primarily comprised of Bisphenol A Diglycidyl Ether Homopolymer, Mica, Fluorphlogopite, Titanium Dioxide, pigments, and several other substances. This product is in viscous paste form and will be imported in 2 ounce jars. |
| Reason: N/A |
| Ruling Date: Aug. 18, 2023 |
N334666: The tariff classification of men’s trousers from China
| HTS: 6203.43.9011; 9903.88.15, 27.9% + 7.5%, "Men’s or boys’ suits, ensembles, suit-type jackets, blazers, trousers, bib and brace overalls, breeches and shorts (other than swimwear): Trousers, bib and brace overalls, breeches and shorts: Of synthetic fibers: Other: Other: Other: Other: Other: Other: Trousers and breeches: Men’s: Other." |
| Item: A pair of men’s trousers constructed from 100% polyester woven fabric. It is of pieced construction and features a contrasting color elasticized waistband, a mock fly, two front inset pockets below the waist, contrasting color stripes along each outer leg, a printed logo on the upper back panel, a 6-3/4 inch long slit with a zippered closure at each outer ankle, and hemmed leg openings. |
| Reason: N/A |
| Ruling Date: Aug. 18, 2023 |
N334105: The country of origin of Lionogen Blue 6520 Pigment
| Country of Origin: India and China |
| Item: A pigment produced in Japan and incorporating various raw materials from India, China, and Japan. The raw material from India as Indanthrone Blue Crude A. The raw material from China as Phthalocyanine Crude. The remaining materials are subsidiary and sourced from Japan and China. |
| Reason: The production process in Japan using raw materials from India, China, and Japan, does not result in a substantial transformation. |
| Ruling Date: Aug. 17, 2023 |
N334228: The country of origin of a pipe wrench
| Country of Origin: South Korea |
| Item: A Swedish pipe wrench designed to provide a firm grip and leverage in tight spaces. The tool incorporates serrated jaws that lock onto pipes and other work pieces. A knurled steel adjustment nut allows the jaws to open and close from the handles. Pictures and descriptions of the manufacturing processes were included in your submission. |
| Reason: The forging of the upper body with jaw and lower body with jaw substantially transforms the steel bars into articles that provide the essential characteristics of the finished item. |
| Ruling Date: Aug. 17, 2023 |
N334310: The tariff classification of a sound recording and reproducing device from China
| HTS: 8519.81.4150, free, “Sound recording or reproducing apparatus: Other apparatus: Using magnetic, optical or semiconductor media: Other: Other.” |
| Item: A sound recording and reproducing apparatus. This battery-operated, interactive item is used to teach a pet how to communicate their needs with the use of the included devices. The user records words into the device, which are then played back when the pet presses the paw-shaped button on top. The set comes with four different colored buttons, so four different words can be recorded/played back. |
| Reason: N/A |
| Ruling Date: Aug. 17, 2023 |
N334315: The country of origin of an electrical controller
| Country of Origin: Taiwan |
| Item: A metal enclosure having a programmable controller, numerous relays, terminal blocks, Ethernet/communication controllers, a temperature sensor, and a humidity sensor. The function of the TEAM Box, which refers to “Temperature, Environmental, and Auxiliary Management,” is to control the environmental conditions of large battery storage enclosures. |
| Reason: The assembly of the electrical devices into an enclosure in India is basic. Mounting individual electrical apparatus inside an enclosure, attaching wires, and testing, does not substantially transform the individual components, namely the programmable controller and contact relays, into a new and different article. The Taiwanese-origin programmable controller establishes the identity of the item. |
| Ruling Date: Aug. 17, 2023 |
N334316: The tariff classification of a wristlet-style handbag from China
| HTS: 4202.22.8100, 9903.88.03, 17.6% + 25%, "Handbags, whether or not with shoulder strap, including those without a handle, with outer surface of textile materials, other, other, of man-made fibers." |
| Item: A handbag constructed with an outer surface of man-made textile material. It is designed and sized to contain the small personal effects that are carried on a daily basis. It has several slot pockets, a middle zippered compartment, and a textile-lined, generic open storage compartment for three-dimensional objects. The bag has a zipper closure and a detachable wrist strap. |
| Reason: The article is a handbag, and it will be classified in the subheading which specifically provides for handbags |
| Ruling Date: Aug. 17, 2023 |