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

NY H82846 July 16, 2001 CLA-2-21:RR:NC:2:228 H82846 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 May 25, 2001 you requested a ruling on the status of a snack seasoning from Canada under the NAFTA. A sample and an ingredients breakdown accompanied your letter. The sample was examined and disposed of. Product no.91790 Parmesan & Garlic Seasoning is an orange colored powder with black specks consisting of 20-30 lactose, 15-20 percent maltodextrin, 10-15 percent cream powder, 5-10 percent each of garlic powder, parmesan cheese, monosodium glutamate, salt, skim milk powder, sugar, and dextrose, 1-5 percent Romano cheese flavor, parsley, and Parmesan cheese flavor, and one percent or less each of: citric acid, silicon dioxide, partially hydrogenated soybean oil, disodium inosinate & disodium guanylate, garlic flavor, black pepper oleoresin, butter flavor, and silicon dioxide. All but three of the ingredients for the seasoning are products of either Canada or the United States. The exceptions are the black pepper oleoresin from India, disodium inosinate and disodium guanylate from Japan, and the sugar that may originate from any of 15 non-NAFTA countries. In Canada, the ingredients are mixed and packed for industrial use as a seasoning, applied to pre-salted potato chips. The applicable subheading for the seasoning will be 2103.90.8000, HTS, which provides for mixed condiments and mixed seasoningsYotherYotherYother. The duty rate will be 6.4 percent ad valorem. The non-originating materials used to make the seasoning have satisfied the change 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