The tariff classification of reinforcement rods ("rebars") of mineral substances from Ukraine

N063937 September 8, 2009 CLA-2-68:OT:RR:NC:4:426 CATEGORY: Classification TARIFF NO.: 6815.99.4000 Mr. Jose Munoz Jose Munoz & Associates, LLC 1717 S. 50th Street Tampa, FL 33619-7507 RE: The tariff classification of reinforcement rods (“rebars”) of mineral substances from Ukraine Dear Mr. Munoz: In your letter dated June 1, 2009, on behalf of Basalt Unlimited, you requested a tariff classification ruling regarding reinforcement rods (rebars) from Ukraine. You stated that these rods will be used for reinforcement in the construction industry. A sample was submitted with your ruling request. The sample was sent to our Customs and Border Protection Laboratory for analysis. The laboratory has now completed its analysis. In your letter you suggested that the rods be classified in subheading 6802.99.00, Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS), which provides for worked monumental or building stone (except slate) and articles thereof…other: other stone. However, analysis by our laboratory indicated that this product does not actually consist of monumental or building stone. Rather, our laboratory found that the rod consists of strands of slag wool or rock wool embedded in a polymer and reinforced with fiberglass. It is an article of mineral substances, not an article of monumental or building stone. Since the rod does not consist of worked monumental or building stone, subheading 6802.99.00, HTSUS, is not applicable. The applicable subheading for the rod - consisting of strands of slag wool or rock wool embedded in a polymer and reinforced with fiberglass - will be 6815.99.4000, HTSUS, which provides for articles of stone or of other mineral substances…not elsewhere specified or included: other articles: other. The rate of duty will be free.  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/. 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 Jacob Bunin at 646-733-3027. Sincerely, Robert B. Swierupski Director, National Commodity Specialist Division