The tariff classification of vessels and reactors from China.

NY J80527 March 4, 2003 CLA-2-73:RR:NC:N1:113 J80527 CATEGORY: Classification TARIFF NO.: 7310.29.0050; 8419.89.9585 Ms. Shelley Vybiral Snap-tite, Inc. 8325 Hessinger Dr. Erie, PA 16509 RE: The tariff classification of vessels and reactors from China. Dear Ms. Vybiral: In your letter dated January 28, 2003, you requested a ruling on tariff classification. The merchandise is a number of vessels used in the chemical and petrochemical markets for laboratory research. The “pressure vessel” is used for the containment of pressurized media. Your catalog shows various models, made of both alloy and stainless steel. All the models are of less than 8 liters. The vessels have no provision for circulating heating or cooling fluids between the walls, and no mechanical feature. They have a variety of uses, and are not dedicated to a particular machine. Per a conversation with the importer, the pressure vessels are containment vessels to hold a medium under pressure and not for treatment of materials involving a change in temperature. Thus, heading 8419 does not apply. The applicable subheading for this product will be 7310.29.0050, Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTS), which provides for tanks, casks, drums and similar containers of steel, of a capacity not exceeding 300 liters, of a capacity of less than 50 liters. The general rate of duty will be free. The “stirred reactor” is a combination of the pressure vessel with an agitation device to stir the contents. Heat added to the reaction is applied to the exterior of the reactor. There are primarily two heating methods used: direct electrical resistance heating or circulation of a heated transfer media. The “catalytic reactor” is a further refinement of the stirred reactor that includes specific internal baskets to contain catalysts for chemical research. Stirred reactors and catalytic reactors, while employing a mechanical feature cannot be easily differentiated from a heating or cooling function or their mechanical function. The applicable subheading for these products will be 8419.89.9585, Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTS), which provides for other machinery, plant or laboratory equipment, whether or not electrically heated, for the treatment of materials by a process involving a change of temperature such as heating, …other than machinery or plant of a kind used for domestic purposes: other: other: other. The general rate of duty will be 4.2 percent ad valorem. This ruling is being issued under the provisions of Part 177 of the Customs Regulations (19 C.F.R.). 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 James Smyth at 646-733-3018. Sincerely, Robert B. Swierupski Director, National Commodity Specialist Division