The tariff classification and status under the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), of a snack seasoning from Canada; Article 509

NY G83794 November 17, 2000 CLA-2-21:RR:NC:2:228 G83794 CATEGORY: Classification TARIFF NO.: 2103.90.8000 Ms. Joan McKnight La CIE McCormick Canada Co. 3340 Orlando Drive Mississauga, Ontario Canada L4V 1C7 RE: The tariff classification and status under the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), of a snack seasoning from Canada; Article 509 Dear Ms. McKnight: In your letter dated August 10, 2000, you requested a ruling on the status of a snack seasoning from Canada under the NAFTA. A sample and an ingredient breakdown accompanied your letter. The sample was examined and disposed of. USA Nacho Cheese Seasoning 91751 is an orange-colored powder with black specks consisting of 20-30 percent whey powder, 15-20 percent maltodextrin, 10-15 percent each of cheese blend, cream powder, and cheddar seasoning - K, 5-10 percent each of salt and monosodium glutamate, 1-5 percent each of modified cheddar cheese enzyme, onion powder, yeast extract, and tomato powder, 0.5-1 percent each of garlic powder, silicon dioxide, and citric acid, and less than one percent each of parmesan cheese-K, ground chili pepper, soya bean oil, color annato, liquid lactic acid, disodium inosinate and disodium guanylate, ground cumin, oleoresin paprika and ground oregano. The majority of the ingredients for the seasoning are products of either Canada or the United States. The exceptions are the monosodium glutamate from Brazil, the tomato powder from Spain, the disodium inosinate and disodium guanylate from Japan, the ground cumin from Turkey or Iran, the oleoresin paprika from Marocco, and the ground oregano from Turkey. In Canada, the ingredients are mixed and packed for industrial use as a seasoning applied to rice cakes. The applicable subheading for the snack seasoning will be 2103.90.8000, Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTS), which provides for mixed condiments and mixed seasonings ...other...other. The general rate of duty will be 6.4 percent ad valorem. The non-originating material used to make the seasoning have satisfied the changes in tariff classification required under HTSUSA General Note 12(t)/21/7. The article 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 Stanley Hopard at 212-637-7065. Sincerely, Robert B. Swierupski Director, National Commodity Specialist Division