Country or Origin; Yarn; Substantial Transformation

HQ 085692 December 21, 1989 CLA-2 CO:R:C:G 085692 DRR CATEGORY: Classification TARIFF NO.: 5402; 5403; 5406 Mr. Paul Poon Sun Cheong Trading Co. Flat D, 12/F, Hang Wan Bldg. 42-44 Granville Rd. TST., Hong Kong RE: Country or Origin; Yarn; Substantial Transformation Dear Mr. Poon: This is in reply to your letter dated September 22, 1989, in which you inquired as to the dutiable status and country of origin of yarns shipped from various countries to Taiwan and Hong Kong for processing. Section 12.130, Customs Regulations (19 CFR 12.130), provides, in pertinent part, that a textile or textile product which consists of materials produced or derived from, or processed in, more than one foreign territory or country, or insular possession of the U.S., shall be a product of that foreign territory or country, or insular possession where it last underwent a substantial transformation. A textile or textile product will be considered to have undergone a substantial transformation if it has been transformed by means of substantial manufacturing or processing operations into a new and different article of commerce. A new and different article of commerce will usually result from a manufacturing or processing operation if there is a change in commercial designation or identity, fundamental character or commercial use. The criteria used to determine whether a substantial transformation has taken place include the physical change in the article, the time, complexity and value added by the operation. -2- Yarns are classifiable in headings 5402, 5403, and 5406 of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States Annotated (HTSUSA). Copies of headings 5402, 5403, and 5406, HTSUSA, are enclosed for your information. Should you require additional information, you may request a tariff classification ruling under the HTSUSA pursuant to part 177 of the Customs Regulations (19 C.F.R. 177). The ruling request should include a complete description of the merchandise, the processing completed in each country and, whenever possible, samples of the merchandise at the various processing stages. The ruling request should be addressed to the Area Director of Customs, New York Seaport, 6 World Trade Center, New York, NY, 10048. Additional information is provided in the enclosed leaflets. In preparing your request, you may also find it helpful to contact a licensed customhouse broker. Sincerely, John Durant, Director Office of Commercial Rulings Enclosures rimmer library/peh 085692