The tariff classification of unfinished vegetable fiber brooms from Mexico.

NY C84365 February 18, 1998 CLA-2-96:RR:NC:SP:233 C84365 CATEGORY: Classification TARIFF NO.: 9603.10.9000 Mr. Gerardo Montemayor Rafael A. Morales, Inc. 509 Interamerica Blvd. Interamerica Industrial Park Laredo, TX 78045 RE: The tariff classification of unfinished vegetable fiber brooms from Mexico. Dear Mr. Montemayor: In your letter dated February 3, 1998, on behalf of Scorpion Export & Import Co., you requested a tariff classification ruling. The submitted sample is an unfinished vegetable fiber broom head with a wooden handle. The broom consists of rattan and/or grass materials. The broom will be finished in the United States. The finishing process will consist of: 1) sewing of the broom head, 2) cutting and trimming of the sewn fibers, 3) painting of the wooden handle, and 4) applying of labels and packaging of the finished broom. The applicable subheading for the unfinished vegetable fiber broom will be 9603.10.9000, Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTS), which provides for other brooms and brushes, consisting of twigs or other vegetable materials bound together, with or without handles. The general rate of duty will be 10% ad valorem. The unfinished vegetable fiber broom, being made entirely in the territory of Mexico using materials which themselves were originating, will satisfy the requirements of HTSUSA General Note 12(b)(iii). The merchandise will therefore be entitled to a free rate of duty under the NAFTA upon compliance with all applicable laws, regulations, and agreements. You have inquired as to whether the vegetable fibers brooms are subject to quota restraints as mentioned in Administrative Message #98-0044, reference QBT-98-503. The subject brooms in that message are brooms made wholly or in part of broom corn. Accordingly, brooms classified under subheading 9603.10.9000, HTS, are not subject to quota. 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 212-466-5739. Sincerely, Robert B. Swierupski Director, National Commodity Specialist Division