The tariff classification of a braided cord loop from Australia

N212759 May 4, 2012 CLA-2-56:OT:RR:NC:N3:351 CATEGORY: Classification TARIFF NO.: 5609.00.3000 Mr. Shay O’Reilly West Marine Products 500 Westridge Drive Watsonville, CA 95076 RE: The tariff classification of a braided cord loop from Australia Dear Mr. O’Reilly: In your letter dated March 30, 2012, you requested a tariff classification ruling. You submitted a sample of a product you call the Dyneema® Link, sku# 8794455. It is a braided cord, approximately 1/4” in diameter, made into a continuous loop; the loop is approximately 3” in diameter. Dyneema is a UV-stabilized molecular-weight polyethylene fiber. Your marketing materials state that the braided loops will be used to attach pulleys to sail riggings on boats. In a follow-up email, you stated that the three Dyneema links listed under sku numbers 9553264, 8794448, and 9486226 (for which no samples, only pictures, were provided) are essentially identical: they are made of the same Dyneema fibers and are used in the same fashion, but are different sizes. The applicable subheading for all four styles of the Dyneema Links will be 5609.00.3000, Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS), which provides for articles of yarn, twine, cordage, rope or cables, not elsewhere specified or included: Of man-made fibers. The rate of duty will be 4.5%. In your letter, you suggest classification for the Dyneema Links under subheading 8483.90.8080, HTSUS, which provides for flywheels and pulleys, including pulley blocks; clutches and shaft couplings (including universal joints); parts thereof; Other, other, other. However, while you say the links are specifically made for use with a pulley block, the links are not parts within the context of the chapter heading. 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 the World Wide Web at http://www.usitc.gov/tata/hts/. Your sample will be retained as part of our office file. 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 Mitchel Bayer at (646) 733-3102. Sincerely, Thomas J. Russo Director National Commodity Specialist Division