THE COUNTRY OF ORIGIN MARKING OF INTEGRATED CIRCUITS

NY 807044 March 23, 1995 MAR-2 S:N:N1:109 807044 CATEGORY: MARKING Ms. Kathy Stapleton Burr-Brown Corporation 6730 S. Tucson Blvd. Tucson, AZ RE: THE COUNTRY OF ORIGIN MARKING OF INTEGRATED CIRCUITS Dear Ms. Stapleton: This is in response to your letter dated February 8, 1995 requesting a ruling on whether the proposed marking "PHIL" instead of "PHILIPPINES" is an acceptable country of origin marking for imported small integrated circuits. A marked sample was submitted with your letter for review. The sample submitted is a very small integrated circuit. Based upon our examination of the submitted sample, we agree that the item is too small to be marked with the entire country's name. The marking statute, section 304, Tariff Act of 1930, as amended (19 U.S.C. 1304), provides that, unless excepted, every article of foreign origin (or its container) imported into the U.S. shall be marked in a conspicuous place as legibly, indelibly and permanently as the nature of the article (or its container) will permit, in such a manner as to indicate to the ultimate purchaser in the U.S. the English name of the country of origin of the article. As provided in section 134.41 (b), Customs Regulations [19 CFR 134.41 (b)], the country of origin marking is considered conspicuous if the ultimate purchaser in the U.S. is able to find the marking easily and read it without strain. This ruling is being issued under the provisions of Section 177 of the Customs Regulations (19 C.F.R. 177). A copy of this ruling letter should be attached to the entry documents filed at the time this merchandise is imported. If the documents have been filed without a copy, this ruling should be brought to the attention of the Customs officer handling the transaction. Sincerely, Jean F. Maguire Area Director New York Seaport