The country of origin of Doxepin Hydrochloride Capsules

N332795 May 22, 2023 OT:RR:NC:N3:138 CATEGORY: Origin Prakash Rajendran Viona Pharmaceuticals Inc. 20 Commerce Drive, Suite 340Cranford, NJ 07016 RE: The country of origin of Doxepin Hydrochloride Capsules Dear Mr. Rajendran: In your letter dated May 8, 2023, you requested a country of origin ruling on Doxepin Hydrochloride Capsules. Doxepin Hydrochloride, imported in 10 mg, 25 mg, 50 mg, 75 mg, 100 mg, and 150 mg capsules, is a tricyclic antidepressant. It is indicated for the treatment of psychoneurotic patients with depression and/or anxiety, depression and/or anxiety associated with alcoholism, depression and/or anxiety associated with organic disease and psychotic depressive disorders with associated anxiety including involutional depression and manic-depressive disorders. You stated that the active pharmaceutical ingredient (API), Doxepin Hydrochloride, is manufactured in Italy and that the finished Doxepin Hydrochloride Capsules in dosage form are made in India.  In India, the Doxepin Hydrochloride will be mixed with various inactive ingredients to produce the final Doxepin Hydrochloride in dosage form.  Section 134.1(b), Customs Regulations (19 CFR 134.1(b)), defines "country of origin" as: The country of manufacture, production or growth of any article of foreign origin entering the United States. Further work or material added to an article in another country must effect a substantial transformation in order to render such other country the "country of origin" within the meaning of this part; …. A substantial transformation occurs when an article emerges from a process with a new name, character or use different from that possessed by the article prior to processing. A substantial transformation will not result from a minor manufacturing or combining process that leaves the identity of the article intact. See United States v. Gibson-Thomsen Co., 27 C.C.P.A. 267 (1940); and National Juice Products Association v. United States, 628 F. Supp. 978 (Ct. Int’l Trade 1986). In this case, we find the mixing of the active ingredient Doxepin Hydrochloride (made in Italy) with the inactive ingredients into the final dosage Doxepin Hydrochloride Capsules in India does not result in a substantial transformation and the country of origin will be Italy. This merchandise may be subject to the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act and/or The Public Health Security and Bioterrorism Preparedness and Response Act of 2002 (The Bioterrorism Act), which are administered by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Information on the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, as well as The Bioterrorism Act, can be obtained by calling the FDA at 1-888-463-6332, or by visiting their website at www.fda.gov. This ruling is being issued under the provisions of Part 177 of the Customs and Border Protection 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 Judy Lee at judy.h.lee@cbp.dhs.gov. Sincerely, Steven A. Mack Director National Commodity Specialist Division