The tariff classification of a fragrance warmer from China

Product description

The merchandise under consideration, described as a Seasonal Shadows Fragrance Warmer, item number P91608, is made of steel and glass. The fragrance warmer itself is comprised of steel. It consists of a powder-coated steel cylinder insert featuring cutout designs of varying shaped leaves and a circular indentation at the base for holding a tea-light candle (not included). A removable powder-coated, steel wire frame fits inside the steel insert. The top of the steel frame supports a shallow glass bowl designed to hold a scented wax tart (not included). The steel fragrance warmer fits inside an orange-painted glass globe. When the candle is lit, the resultant heat melts the tart and releases a pleasant aroma. In addition, the flame will illuminate through the metal cutouts and glass globe, creating a decorative effect. The Seasonal Shadows Fragrance Warmer is a composite good because it is made of more than one component: the steel fragrance warmer (including insert and frame), as well as the glass globe and bowl. The Explanatory Notes to the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS), General Rule of Interpretation (GRI) 3 (b) (VIII), state that the factor which determines essential character will vary between different kinds of goods. It may for example, be determined by the nature of the materials or components, its bulk, quantity, weight or value, or by the role of a constituent material in relation to the use of the goods. Under GRI 3 (b), the essential character of this steel/glass article is imparted by the steel fragrance warmer, the component which provides the function of the product.

CBP rationale

a tea-light candle (not included). A removable powder-coated, steel wire frame fits inside the steel insert. The top of the steel frame supports a shallow glass bowl designed to hold a scented wax tart (not included). The steel fragrance warmer fits inside an orange-painted glass globe. When the candle is lit, the resultant heat melts the tart and releases a pleasant aroma. In addition, the flame will illuminate through the metal cutouts and glass globe, creating a decorative effect. The Seasonal Shadows Fragrance Warmer is a composite good because it is made of more than one component: the steel fragrance warmer (including insert and frame), as well as the glass globe and bowl. The Explanatory Notes to the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS), General Rule of Interpretation (GRI) 3 (b) (VIII), state that the factor which determines essential character will vary between different kinds of goods. It may for example, be determined by the nature of the materials or components, its bulk, quantity, weight or value, or by the role of a constituent material in relation to the use of the goods. Under GRI 3 (b), the essential character of this steel/glass article is imparted by the steel fragrance warmer, the component which provides the function of the product. The applicable subheading for the Seasonal Shadows Fragrance Warmer will be 7321.89.0050, Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS), which provides for stoves, ranges, grates, cookers…barbecues, braziers, gas rings, plate warmers and similar nonelectric domestic appliances, and parts thereof, of iron or steel, other appliances, other, including appliances for solid fuel, other. The rate of duty will be free. 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/.

Full text

More rulings on the same tariff codes