COUNTRY OF ORIGIN MARKING OF IMPORTED COOKWARE

NY J85118 June 2, 2003 MAR-2 RR:NC:N1:113 J85118 CATEGORY: MARKING Mr. Michael Taylor The Continuity Company Limited The Gatehouse Hogarth Lane Chiswick, London W4 2QN UK RE: COUNTRY OF ORIGIN MARKING OF IMPORTED COOKWARE Dear Mr. Taylor: This is in response to your letter dated May 23, 2003 requesting a ruling on whether the proposed method of marking the container in which the cookware is imported with the country of origin in lieu of marking the article itself is an acceptable country of origin marking for the imported cookware. A marked sample container was not submitted with your letter for review. The merchandise is Royal Doulton Professional Cookware. The cookware is of stainless steel. It is packaged in a retail box. The retail box is printed on several sides with pictures of the contents, the Royal Doulton trademark and similar information. The back of the container has the technical specifications for the cookware in several languages. The words “Made in China” appear in the lower right hand corner of the container, under the product code. 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. Part 134, Customs Regulations (19 CFR Part 134), implements the country of origin marking requirements and exceptions of 19 U.S.C. 1304. Section 134.41(b), Customs Regulations (19 CFR 134.41(b)), mandates that the ultimate purchaser in the U.S. must be able to find the marking easily and read it without strain. Section 134.1(d), defines the ultimate purchaser as generally the last person in the U.S. who will receive the article in the form in which it was imported. If an imported article is to be sold at retail in its imported form, the purchaser at retail is the ultimate purchaser. In this case, the ultimate purchaser of the cookware is the consumer who purchases the product at retail. An article is excepted from marking under 19 U.S.C. 1304 (a)(3)(D) and section 134.32(d), Customs Regulations (19 CFR 134.32(d)), if the marking of a container of such article will reasonably indicate the origin of such article. Accordingly, if Customs is satisfied that the article will remain in its container until it reaches the ultimate purchaser and if the ultimate purchaser can tell the country of origin of the cookware by viewing the container in which it is packaged, the individual cookware would be excepted from marking under this provision. Cookware which is imported in containers that are marked in the manner described above, are excepted from marking under 19 U.S.C. 1304 (a)(3)(D) and 19 CFR 134.32(d). Accordingly, marking the container in which the cookware is imported and sold to the ultimate purchaser in lieu of marking the article itself is an acceptable country of origin marking for the imported cookware provided the port director is satisfied that the article will remain in the marked container until it reaches the ultimate purchaser. 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 James Smyth at 646-733-3018. Sincerely, Robert B. Swierupski Director, National Commodity Specialist Division