The tariff classification of polyester staple fiber from China

N168557 June 8, 2011 CLA-2-55:OT:RR:NC:N3:351 CATEGORY: Classification TARIFF NO.: 5503.20.0065 Mr. Craig P. Haley Rontex America, Inc. 1 Caldwell Drive Amherst, NH 03031 RE: The tariff classification of polyester staple fiber from China Dear Mr. Haley: In your letter dated May 23, 2011, you requested a tariff classification ruling. You describe your product as polyester staple fiber, or PSF. No sample was submitted but from your letter we have determined that the fibers are imported without having been carded or combed. The fibers will be between 3 and 3.35 inches in length and 17 to 20 decitex (15 to 18 denier). You will process the fibers for use in the production of needle-felted carpet (used mostly for the lining of automobile trunks, boat hulls, and similar uses) and related products. The applicable subheading for the polyester staple fibers will be 5503.20.0065, Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS), which provides for synthetic staple fibers, not carded, combed, or otherwise processed for spinning: of polyesters…Other…Measuring 13.2 decitex or more. The rate of duty will be 4.3% ad valorem. 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 the World Wide Web at http://www.usitc.gov/tata/hts/. You have asked whether this product is subject to antidumping duties or countervailing duties (AD/CVD). Written decisions regarding the scope of AD/CVD orders are issued by the Import Administration in the Department of Commerce and are separate from tariff classification and origin rulings issued by Customs and Border Protection. You can contact them at http://www.trade.gov/ia/ (click on “Contact Us”). For your information, you can view a list of current AD/CVD cases at the United States International Trade Commission website at http://www.usitc.gov (click on “Antidumping and Countervailing duty investigations”), and you can search AD/CVD deposit and liquidation messages using the AD/CVD Search tool at http://addcvd.cbp.gov/. 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 Mitchel Bayer at (646) 733-3102. Sincerely, Robert B. Swierupski Director National Commodity Specialist Division