The tariff classification of solid jatoba wood flooring from Brazil

N016207 September 21, 2007 CLA-2-44:RR:NC:2:230 CATEGORY: Classification TARIFF NO.: 4409.29.0500; 4418.90.4690 Mr. Kim Bergenser Tradelink Wood Products Inc. 1 Centerview Dr., Suite 300 Greensboro, NC 27407 RE: The tariff classification of solid jatoba wood flooring from Brazil Dear Mr. Bergenser: In your letter dated August 17, 2007 you requested a tariff classification ruling. The ruling was requested on unfinished and prefinished solid jatoba wood flooring. Two representative samples were submitted. The samples consist of ¾” thick solid wood boards, 2-1/4” wide and 3-1/4” wide. The boards are tongued and grooved along the edges and ends. The bottom surface has two grooves running down the length. The top surface of one of the samples is prefinished with a urethane coating. The surface of the other sample is unfinished. The flooring will be imported in other widths and thicknesses and may be composed of other solid hardwood species. The applicable subheading for the unfinished solid jatoba flooring, described above, will be 4409.29.0500, Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS), which provides for nonconiferous wood continuously shaped along any of its ends, whether or not also continuously shaped along any of its edges or faces, all the foregoing whether or not planed, sanded or end-jointed. The duty rate will be 3.2 percent ad valorem. The applicable subheading for the solid jatoba flooring prefinished with urethane, described above, will be 4418.90.4690, HTSUS, which provides for other builders’ joinery and carpentry of wood. The duty rate will be 3.2 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/. Articles classifiable under subheading 4409.29.0500, HTSUS, which are products of Brazil may be entitled to duty free treatment under the Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) upon compliance with all applicable regulations. The GSP is subject to modification and periodic suspension, which may affect the status of your transaction at the time of entry for consumption or withdrawal from warehouse. To obtain current information on GSP, check our Web site at www.cbp.gov and search for the term "GSP". 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 Paul Garretto at 646-733-3035. Sincerely, Robert B. Swierupski Director, National Commodity Specialist Division