The tariff classification of a woman’s blouse from China

N032981 July 14, 2008 CLA-2-62:OT:RR:NC:TA:360 CATEGORY: Classification TARIFF NO.: 6206.10.0040 Mr. Stephen M. Zelman Stephen M. Zelman & Associates 888 Seventh Avenue Suite 4500 New York, NY 10106 RE: The tariff classification of a woman’s blouse from China Dear Mr. Zelman: In your letter dated July 7, 2008, you requested a classification ruling on behalf of Susana Monaco, Inc. The sample will be returned as requested. Style BH8D2448 is a woman’s blouse constructed from 100 percent silk woven fabric. The blouse features long sleeves with five inch wide elasticized cuffs, a mock turtleneck collar, and an empire waist. The portion of the garment from the bustline to the bottom of the garment is smocked (except for a ruffled edge), as are the cuffs and collar. The blouse will be shipped, marketed and sold with a self-fabric flower pin attached to the blouse. Although you suggest classification under subheading 6211.49.1050, HTS, the garment does not possess features that would preclude classification under subheading 6206.10.0040, HTS. The blouse and flower pin are sold together at retail as a unit. They are adapted to each other, are mutually complementary and together form a whole that would not normally be offered for sale in separate parts. As such, they meet the definition of a composite good found in Explanatory Notes to the Generalized Rules of Preferences, 3(b). The blouse imparts the essential character to style BH8D2448. The applicable subheading for style BH8D2448 will be 6206.10.0040, Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS), which provides for women’s or girls’ blouses, shirts and shirt-blouses: of silk or silk waste: other: containing 70 percent or more by weight of silk or silk waste. The duty rate will be 6.9 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/. Style BH8D2448 falls within textile category 741. With the exception of certain products of China, quota/visa requirements are no longer applicable for merchandise which is the product of World Trade Organization (WTO) member countries. The textile category number above applies to merchandise produced in non-WTO member-countries. Quota and visa requirements are the result of international agreements that are subject to frequent renegotiations and changes. To obtain the most current information on quota and visa requirements applicable to this merchandise, we suggest you check, close to the time of shipment, the “Textile Status Report for Absolute Quotas” which is available on our web site at www.cbp.gov. For current information regarding possible textile safeguard actions on goods from China and related issues, we refer you to the web site of the Office of Textiles and Apparel of the Department of Commerce at otexa.ita.doc.gov. 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 Brenda Wade at 646-733-3051. Sincerely, Robert B. Swierupski Director, National Commodity Specialist Division