THE COUNTRY OF ORIGIN MARKING OF CAMERAS FROM KOREA

NY C89641 July 30, 1998 MAR-2 RR:NC:MM:114 C89641 CATEGORY: MARKING Mr. Henry A. Froehlich Mamiya America Corporation 8 Westchester Plaza Elmsford, NY 10523 RE: THE COUNTRY OF ORIGIN MARKING OF CAMERAS FROM KOREA Dear Mr. Froehlich: This is in response to your letter dated June 2, 1998 requesting a ruling on whether the proposed marking "Made for Sakai Camera Company in Korea" is an acceptable country of origin marking for imported cameras. A marked sample was not submitted with your letter for review. You indicate in your letter that the proposed marking will appear on the camera body, as well as on focusing scales which will be provided with the camera. The marking will also appear on the boxes in which the cameras will be packaged. 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 C.F.R. §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. With regard to the permanency of a marking, section 134.41(a), Customs Regulations (19 C.F.R. §134.41(a)), provides that as a general rule marking requirements are best met by marking worked into the article at the time of manufacture. For example, it is suggested that the country of origin on metal articles be die sunk, molded in, or etched. However, section 134.44, Customs Regulations (19 C.F.R. §134.44), generally provides that any marking that is sufficiently permanent so that it will remain on the article until it reaches the ultimate purchaser unless deliberately removed is acceptable. The proposed marking of imported cameras, as described above, is conspicuous, legible and permanent marking in satisfaction of the marking requirements of 19 U.S.C. §1304 and 19 C.F.R. Part 134 and is an acceptable country of origin marking for the imported cameras. This ruling is being issued under the provisions of Part 177 of the Customs Regulations (19 C.F.R. Part 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