The tariff classification and status under the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), of Current Transformer Cores from Canada; Article 509

NY D86718 February 10, 1999 CLA-2-85:RR:NC:MM:109 D86718 CATEGORY: Classification TARIFF NO.: 8504.90.9540 Mr. Karl F. Krueger AEI Customs Brokerage Services P.O. Box 5129 Southfield, MI 48086-5129 RE: The tariff classification and status under the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), of Current Transformer Cores from Canada; Article 509 Dear Mr. Krueger: In your letter dated January 8, 1999, you requested a ruling on the status of Current Transformer Cores from Canada under the NAFTA on behalf of BCL Magnetics of Bulington, Ontario, Canada. The cores are produced in a variety of sizes ranging in outside diameter from two and one half inches to twenty eight and one half inches. A master coil of Italian M4 steel is imported into Canada under tariff heading 7225, depending on the thickness and width. This coil is processed through a steel slitting machine to slit the coil into a variety of widths of different size cores. After being slit the strip is placed on an automatic decoiler machine and fed into a Toroidal Core Machine. The Toroidal Core Machine makes a lap of steel around an arbor, catches it with a pin, and performs two welds on the inner lap of steel. The Toroidal Core Machine then tightly winds the strip to the required dimensions of the core and the outer lap of steel is welded. The core is then fed into an automatic flattening machine which flattens the core. The Current Transformer Core is then annealed for five hours to relieve the mechanical stresses caused by the slitting and winding processes and to develop its appropriate magnetic properties. The cores will then be randomly tested, packaged and shipped. The applicable tariff provision for the Current Transformer Cores will be 8504.90.9540, Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States Annotated (HTSUSA), which provides for ”Other parts: Of transformers.” The general rate of duty will be 2.5 percent ad valorem. The non-originating material used to make the Current Transformer Cores has satisfied the changes in tariff classification required under HTSUSA General Note 12(t)/85.8A. The Current Transformer Cores will be entitled to a free rate of duty under the NAFTA upon compliance with all applicable laws, regulations, and agreements. This ruling is being issued under the provisions of Part 181 of the Customs regulations (19 C.F.R. 181). This ruling letter is binding only as to the party to whom it is issued and may be relied on only by that party. 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 Eileen S. Kaplan at 212-637-7048. Sincerely, Robert B. Swierupski Director, National Commodity Specialist Division