The tariff classification of various safety items from China

NY J88946 November 3, 2003 CLA-2-85:RR:NC:1:112 J88946 CATEGORY: Classification TARIFF NO.: 8531.80.00 Mr. John Luft Nine Lives Products, Inc. 11150 West Olympic Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90064-1817 RE: The tariff classification of various safety items from China Dear Mr. Luft: In your letter dated September 26, 2003 you requested a tariff classification ruling. As indicated by the submitted samples, there are five items in question, described as a vest, a waistcoat, a dog collar, an armband, and a backpack. Each of these products is made of a polyester/nylon material and contains reflective material as well as varying quantities of battery operated light emitting diodes (LED’s). In operation, the LED feature of each product can be activated so that there is a flashing quality displayed. This is intended as a safety enhancement. The applicable subheading for the vest, waistcoat, dog collar and armband will be 8531.80.00, Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTS), which provides for other electric sound or visual signaling apparatus. The duty rate will be 1.3 percent ad valorem. Your inquiry does not provide enough information for us to give a classification ruling on the backpack. Your request for a classification ruling should identify the backpack by style number; include a breakdown, by value, of all component materials at the point just before final assembly; identify the fiber composition of the exterior surface textile material by generic name and provide a breakdown of component fibers by weight; and include copies of all sales literature and catalog pages that describe the item. When this information is available, you may wish to consider resubmission of your request. We are returning any related samples, exhibits, etc. If you decide to resubmit your request, please include all of the material that we have returned to you. 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. Sincerely, Robert B. Swierupski Director, National Commodity Specialist Division