THE COUNTRY OF ORIGIN MARKING OF A CARRY CASE FROM CHINA.

NY F81496 January 12, 2000 MAR-2 RR:NC:42:341 CATEGORY: MARKING Mr. Al Dwek Telescope Structures, Inc. 109 Phillips Avenue Deal, NJ 07723 RE: THE COUNTRY OF ORIGIN MARKING OF A CARRY CASE FROM CHINA. Dear Mr. Dwek: This is in response to your letter dated December 22nd, 1999, requesting a ruling on whether the proposed marking for a carrying case with the words "Made in China" molded on the interior is an acceptable country of origin marking. A marked sample was not submitted with your letter for review. Per NY D83860, the item is a molded plastic carrying case classified under HTS subheading 4202.99.9000. 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. With regard to the permanency of a marking, section 134.41(a), Customs Regulations (19 CFR 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 CFR 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. If the imported carrying case from China is marked as proposed and the marking is legible and placed in a conspicuous location, it is in satisfaction of the marking requirements of 19 U.S.C. 1304 and 19 CFR Part 134 and is an acceptable country of origin marking. This ruling is being issued under the provisions of Part 177 of the Customs Regulations (19 CFR 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 Kevin Gorman at 212-637-7091. Sincerely, Robert B. Swierupski Director, National Commodity Specialist Division