The tariff classification of footwear from China

NY M85327 August 03, 2006 CLA-2-64:RR:NC:247: M85327 CATEGORY: Classification TARIFF NO.: 6402.99.18 Mr. Roger Crain Customs Science Services, Inc. 11901 Reynolds Avenue Potomac, MD 20854-3334 RE: The tariff classification of footwear from China Dear Mr. Crain: In your letter dated July 31, 2006, you requested a tariff classification ruling on behalf of Payless ShoeSource Worldwide, Inc., for a rubber/plastics sandal called “ Coasters Flower Slide” SR No. 705706.       The submitted sample is a ladies strap sandal with an outer sole and upper of rubber/plastics. The upper is decorated with an imitation flower made of textile and plastics materials. The flower is secured to the upper at its center by a single rivet. The flower is a loosely attached appurtenance and disregarded in external surface area measurements. The applicable subheading for “Coasters Flower Slide” will be 6402.99.18, Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States, (HTSUS), which provides for footwear with outer soles and uppers of rubber/plastics: other: having uppers of which over 90 percent of the external surface area (including accessories or reinforcements) is rubber or plastics, not having a foxing or foxing-like band and not protective. The general rate of duty will be 6 percent ad valorem. Duty rates are provided for your convenience and are subject to change. The text of the most recent HTSUS and the accompanying duty rates are provided on World Wide Web at http://www.usitc.gov/tata/hts/. The submitted sample is not marked with the country of origin. Therefore, if imported as is, it will not meet the country of origin marking requirements of 19 U.S.C. 1304. Accordingly, the footwear would be considered not legally marked under the provisions of 19 C.F.R. 134.11 which states, "every article of foreign origin (or its container) imported into the U.S. shall be marked in a conspicuous place as legibly, indelibly, and permanently as the nature of the article (or container) will permit, in such manner as to indicate to the ultimate purchaser in the U.S. the English name of the country of origin of the article." 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, Richard Foley at 646-733-3042. Sincerely, Robert B. Swierupski Director, National Commodity Specialist Division