The tariff classification of a stainless steel jackscrew and push rod for a rack assembly from Taiwan.

N010167 May 1, 2007 CLA-2-73:RR:NC:N1:118 CATEGORY: Classification TARIFF NO.: 7318.15.6070; 8473.30.5100 Ms. Annette Carlos Traffic Manager Laube Technology 550 Via Alondra Camarillo, CA 93012-8732 RE: The tariff classification of a stainless steel jackscrew and push rod for a rack assembly from Taiwan. Dear Ms. Carlos: In your letter dated April 19, 2007, you requested a tariff classification ruling for a jackscrew and a push rod. You have stated that both the jackscrew and push rod are made of stainless steel and are used in a rack assembly, which you described as a disk drive array (computer storage device). The jackscrew is designed to hold sheet metal parts together. It has a fillister head with a Philips drive and measures 6-32 x 9.020 inches. The diameter of the fillister head is 0.195 inch and there is one-inch of threading along the shank. The jackscrew without a finish is imported under part number (p/n) LFEN1573800D and the jackscrew with the black oxide finish is p/n 16509-00. The push rod (p/n LFEN2398000A) is 0.093 inch in diameter and 8.482 inches in length. Approximately 1.36 inches from the one end is a .02 inch groove creating a .074 inch diameter. At the opposite end there is a larger groove (.035 inch) where the diameter is 0.055 inch. This has created a small cap at the end that is approximately 0.03 inch. The push rod is installed in the disk drive array directly beneath the on/off push button. When the “on” switch is depressed, the push rod actuates the electronics to power up the device. The applicable subheading for the jackscrew will be 7318.15.6070, Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS), which provides for screws, bolts, nuts, coach screws, screw hooks, rivets, cotters, cotter pins, washers (including spring washers) and similar articles, of iron or steel: threaded articles: other screws and bolts, whether or not with their nuts or washers: other: having shanks or threads with a diameter of less than 6 mm: other: of stainless steel. The duty rate will be 6.2% ad valorem. The applicable subheading for the push rod will be 8473.30.5100, HTSUS, which provides for parts and accessories of the machines of heading 8471. The duty rate will be free. The jackscrew is a threaded fastener. Subheading 7318.29.0000, HTSUS provides for non-threaded fasteners. Accordingly, classification within subheading 7318.29.0000, HTSUS, would be inappropriate. Items classified within heading 8483 transmit torque. Inasmuch as there is no torque transmitted by the push rod, it would not be classified within subheading 8483.60.8000, HTSUS. Duty rates are provided for your convenience and are subject to change. The text of the most recent HTSUS and the accompanying duty rates are provided on World Wide Web at http://www.usitc.gov/tata/hts/. 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. If you have any questions regarding the ruling, contact National Import Specialist Kathy Campanelli at 646-733-3021. Sincerely, Robert B. Swierupski Director, National Commodity Specialist Division