The tariff classification of Needle Assemblies for Endoscopes from Germany

NY C83391 January 28, 1998 CLA-2-90:RR:NC:MM:114 C83391 CATEGORY: Classification TARIFF NO.: 9002.19.0000 Mr. Robert A. Calandra 4 Henning Drive Fairfield, New Jersey 07004 RE: The tariff classification of Needle Assemblies for Endoscopes from Germany Dear Mr. Calandra: In your letter dated September 24, 1997 and your submission dated December 5, 1997, on behalf of Smith & Nephew, Inc., you requested a tariff classification ruling on needle assemblies for medical endoscopes. The needle assemblies which will be imported by Smith & Nephew consist of two main components, the inner tube assembly and the outer tube assembly. The inner tube assembly is a tube which contains a number of relay lenses, which are referred to as objective lenses. At one end of the tube there is a prism. The inner tube is assembled into the outer tube which also contains the needle, or insertion portion of the endoscope, and the optical fibers which are used to transmit light from an external light source. The endoscopes are used in medical applications. The applicable subheading for the needle tube assemblies will be 9002.19.0000, Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTS), which provides for objective lenses and parts and accessories thereof, other. The rate of duty will be 3.2 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 Barbara Kiefer at 212-466-5685. Sincerely, Robert B. Swierupski Director, National Commodity Specialist Division