The classification of Q Ceramic HyperD; S Ceramic HyperD; DEAE Ceramic HyperD; and CM Ceramic HyperD ion exchange resins in bulk from France.

NY D84806 November 18, 1998 CLA-2-39:RR:NC:N2:237 D84806 CATEGORY: Classification TARIFF NO: 3914.00.6000 Mr. Arnaud Schmutz BioSepra Corporation 111 Locke Drive Marlborough, MA 01752 RE: The classification of Q Ceramic HyperD; S Ceramic HyperD; DEAE Ceramic HyperD; and CM Ceramic HyperD ion exchange resins in bulk from France. Dear Mr. Schmutz: In your letter dated August 19, 1998 you requested a tariff classification ruling on ten (10) specific filtration gels used in ion exchange chromatography for the separation of biological molecules. Ceramic HyperD ion exchangers media are described as solid supports for chromatography applied to protein fractionation and to separation of any other product of biological origin. Ceramic HyperD media are composite materials in bead form consisting of a copolymeric crosslinked network distributed inside the pores of mineral ceramic particles. The mineral ceramic material consists of a mixture of sintered silicates of zirconium and calcium and acts as a solid skeleton. The polymer provides the ion exchange mechanism for macromolecule or particle adsorption. The mineral suface is totally covered by a layer of organic polymer to prevent any non-specific adsorption. The Ceramic HyperD ion exchangers are supplied as aqueous suspensions in the presence of stabilizers and preservatives. They are available in small particle sizes (10Tm and 20Tm) suited for separation efficiency in laboratory applications and larger particle sizes (50Tm) for full scale production use in industrial applications. Q Ceramic HyperD 10Tm; Q Ceramic HyperD 20Tm; and Q Ceramic HyperD F(50Tm) are synthesized by the copolymerization of the cationic monomer methacrylamidopropyltrimethyl ammonium chloride in association with a crosslinker N,N1-methylene-bis-methacrylamide or N,N1-methylene-bis-acrylamide. S Ceramic HyperD 10Tm; S Ceramic HyperD 20Tm; and S Ceramic HyperD F(50Tm) are synthesized by the copolymerization of the anionic monomer acrylamidomethyl propane sulfonic acid in association with a crosslinker N,N1-methylene-bis-methacrylamide or N,N1-methylene-bis-acrylamide. DEAE Ceramic HyperD 20Tm; and DEAE Ceramic HyperD F(50Tm) are synthesized by the copolymerization of diethylaminoethyl-acrylamide (or methacrylamide) in the presence of dimethyl-acrylamide and crosslinked with N,N1-methylene-bis-methacrylamide or N,N1-methylene-bis-acrylamide. CM Ceramic HyperD F(50Tm); and CMabs Ceramic HyperD F(50Tm) are synthesized by the copolymerization of acrylic acid crosslinked with N,N1-methylene-bis-methacrylamide. The applicable subheading for all ten (10) products will be 3914.00.6000, Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS), which provides for ion-exchangers based on polymers of headings 3901 to 3913, in primary forms: other. The rate of duty is 3.9 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 F. Cantone at 212-466-5488. Sincerely, Robert B. Swierupski Director, National Commodity Specialist Division