The tariff classification of frozen tuna from the Philippines.

NY C89153 July 2, 1998 CLA-2-16:RR:NC:2:231 C89153 CATEGORY: Classification TARIFF NO.: 1604.14.4000 Ms. Susan Strager Arthur Andersen LLP 500 Woodward Avenue, Suite 2700 Detroit, MI 48226-3424 RE: The tariff classification of frozen tuna from the Philippines. Dear Ms. Strager: In your letter, dated June 12, 1998, you have requested a tariff classification ruling on behalf of your client, Philtuna Packing Corporation, Philadelphia, PA. The merchandise is comprised of frozen, precooked tuna loins that have not been packed in airtight containers. The tuna will be harvested offshore of the Philippines, in the Indian Ocean, and in the western Pacific Ocean. The tuna will be processed in the Philippines where it will be precooked, skinned, cleaned, bagged, and vacuum packed to avoid contamination. Neither oil, nor seasoning will be added. The tuna loins will be frozen in plastic bags and imported in bulk containers weighing over 6.8 kilograms. There will be four bags per container. During the manufacturing process, the tuna loins are thawed and tested for putrid odor and unacceptable levels of histamines and salt. Then they are precooked until the muscle portion is denatured and can be separated from the bone. Upon cooling, the head, tails, fins, entrails, and skin are excised. Then the fish undergoes the process of loining: the meat is separated from the bone, and light meat is separated from dark meat. Upon importation, the plastic bags will not be airtight, but rather, closed in one of two ways. Either the open edge of the bag will be folded and clasped by a metal clip that does not extend across the width of the bag, or the bag will be perforated by several one inch slits. In either instance, the plastic bag will not be hermetically sealed at the time of importation. The applicable subheading for the tuna loins will be 1604.14.4000, Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTS), which provides for prepared or preserved fish; caviar and caviar substitutes prepared from fish eggs, fish, whole or in pieces, but not minced, tunas, skipjack and bonito (Sarda spp.), tunas and skipjack, not in airtight containers, in bulk or in immediate containers weighing with their contents over 6.8 kilograms each, not in oil. The rate of duty will be 1.1 cents per kilogram. This ruling is being issued under the provisions of Part 177 of the Customs Regulations (19 CFR 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 Ralph Conte at (212) 466-5759. Sincerely, Robert B. Swierupski Director National Commodity Specialist Division