The tariff classification and status under the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), of a snack seasoning from Canada; Article 509

NAFTA  Favorable ruling. 1697 version NY G86007 January 11, 2001 CLA-2-21:RR:NC:2:228 G86007 CATEGORY: Classification TARIFF NO.: 2103.90.8000 Ms. Joan McKnight La CIE McCormick Canada Co. 3340 Orlando Drive Mississauga, Ontario Canada L4V 1C7 RE: The tariff classification and status under the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), of a snack seasoning from Canada; Article 509 Dear Ms. McKnight: In your letter dated December 22, 2000, you requested a ruling on the status of a snack seasoning from Canada under the NAFTA. A sample and an ingredients breakdown accompanied your letter. The sample was examined and disposed of. Product no. 91753-OWT Sour Cream & Onion Seasoning is a light cream-colored powder with green flakes consisting of 20-30 percent each of spray dried shortening and maltodextrin, 10-15 percent sour cream powder, 5-10 percent each of wheat flour, onion powder, dextrose, and salt, 1-5 percent each of parsley flakes and citric acid, 0.5-1 percent each of sour cream flavor, silicon dioxide, partially hydrogenated oils (soybean and cottonseed), and lactic acid, and less than one percent each of onion flavor, disodium inosinate and disodium guanylate, oleoresin black pepper, oleoresin onion, and silicon dioxide. All but three of the ingredients for the seasoning are products of either Canada or the United States. The exceptions are the disodium inosinate and disodium guanylate from Japan, oleoresin black pepper, and oleoresin onion from England. In Canada, the ingredients are mixed and packed for industrial use as a seasoning, applied to finished rice cakes. The applicable subheading for the seasoning will be 2103.90.8000, Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTS), which provides for mixed condiments and mixed seasonings ...other...other. The general rate of duty will be 6.4 percent ad valorem. The non-originating materials used to make the seasoning have satisfied the changes in tariff classification required under HTSUSA General Note 12(t)/21/7. The article will be entitled to a free rate of duty under the NAFTA upon compliance with all applicable laws, regulations, and agreements. This ruling is being issued under the provisions of Part 181 of the Customs Regulations (19 C.F.R. 181). This ruling letter is binding only as to the party to whom it is issued and may be relied on only by that party. 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 Stanley Hopard at 212-637-7065. Sincerely, Robert B. Swierupski Director, National Commodity Specialist Division