The tariff classification of a tensioner assembly-timing chain from South Korea

N264870 June 1, 2015 CLA-2-87:OT:RR:NC:N1:106 CATEGORY: Classification TARIFF NO.: 8708.99.8180 Young-bin Oh Hyundai Motor Company 231, Yangjae 2-dong, Seocho-gu, Seoul South Korea RE: The tariff classification of a tensioner assembly-timing chain from South Korea Dear Young-bin Oh, In your letter dated May 19, 2015, you requested a tariff classification ruling.The item under consideration has been identified as a Tensioner Assembly-Timing Chain (Item Code 244102E000). In your request, you state that the Tensioner Assembly-Timing Chain is used to manually open and close the air intake and exhaust valves of an automobile engine. The cam shaft is operated by the timing chain. With the continued use of the timing chain, it is gradually stretched, and the opening and closing time of the valve will be changed accordingly. Therefore, to prevent this from happening, the tensioner is needed to control the tension automatically. By controlling the tension of the timing chain, it performs a dampening function, maintaining the stretched chain stable during the operation by controlling the tension of the timing chain. The Tensioner Assembly-Timing Chain contains an aluminum housing, a locking pin and a tension unit. The tension unit consists of a steel housing, a spring, a rachet ring and a plunger. The applicable subheading for the Tensioner Assembly-Timing Chain (Item Code 244102E000) will be 8708.99.8180, Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS), which provides for “Parts and accessories of motor vehicles of heading 8701 to 8705: Other parts and accessories: Other: Other: Other: Other: Other: Other.” The general rate of duty will be 2.5%.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, please contact National Import Specialist Matthew Sullivan at matthew.sullivan@cbp.dhs.gov. Sincerely, Gwenn Klein Kirschner Director National Commodity Specialist Division