The tariff classification of printer's rubberized blankets for offset printing, from Germany.

NY A87799 October 17, 1996 CLA-2-59:RR:NC:TP:350 A87799 CATEGORY: Classification TARIFF NO.: 5911.10.1000 Mr. Scott W. Poyner Phoenix North America, Inc. 1 Minue Street Carteret, NJ 07008-1198 RE: The tariff classification of printer's rubberized blankets for offset printing, from Germany. Dear Mr. Poyner: In your letter dated August 14, 1996, you requested a tariff classification ruling. You provided some representative samples as well as a list of the various rubberized printer's blankets that you intend to import. They are all basically constructed from built up plies of cotton and rubber having a rubber face designed for specific printing needs in offset printing. You specifically mention transferring ink from the plate cylinder to the paper. These blankets are 3 and 4 ply and range in thickness from 1.70 - 1.95mm. The weights range from 2,070 to 2,410g/m2 with a fabric to rubber percentage range of 26/74 to 30/70. Your letter provided us with the following styles which included "Sheet-Fed Offset", "Heat Set" and "News Printing": Rolltrix MV 314 & 316 Rolltrix UV 318 & 319 Webtrix 334 & 336 Webtrix CS 344 & 346 Webtrix ND 340 The tariff number 8442.40.0000 you mention which is found in Section XVI of the tariff applies to parts of machinery, apparatus and equipment for type-founding or typesetting, for preparing or printing, etc. Section XVI, note 1(e) states that "this section does not cover transmission or conveyor belts of textile material (heading 5910) or other articles of textile material for technical uses (heading 5911). The applicable subheading for the printers blankets, therefore, will be 5911.10.1000, Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTS), which provides for textile products and articles, for technical uses, ... textile fabrics, felt and felt- lined woven fabrics, coated, covered or laminated with rubber, ... printer's rubberized blankets. The rate of duty will be 5.2 percent ad valorem. 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 George Barth at 212-466-5884. Sincerely, Roger J. Silvestri Director National Commodity Specialist Division