CLA-2 CO:R:C:F 951277 JGH
Ms. Rose Beltran
Alliance International
100 Oceangate P-200
Long Beach, California 90608
RE: Classification of Sodium Tungstate from China under the
Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS).
Dear Ms. Beltran:
Your letter of December 30, 1992, concerns the tariff status
of crude sodium tungstate to be imported by Calport Resources,
Inc.
FACTS:
A sample of the product was submitted, and described by a
Customs Laboratory as a gray brown crude powder composed chiefly
of sodium tungstate containing other inorganic material.
Technical literature was said to describe it as a water soluble
inorganic compound used for the extraction of metal or as a basis
for new compounds.
ISSUE:
Classification of crude sodium tungstate in the HTSUS.
LAW AND ANALYSIS:
Chapter Note 1(a) to Chapter 28, HTSUS, - Inorganic
Chemicals- states that the headings of the chapter apply to
separate chemically defined elements and separate chemically
defined compounds, whether or not containing impurities.
The importer states that crude sodium tungstate imported is
chiefly used to produce various forms of tungsten metals. The
Explanatory Notes to heading 2841, HTSUS, state that sodium
- 2 -
tungstate is used, among other things, for fire-proofing fabrics,
as a mordant in textile printing, for preparing lakes and
catalysts and in organic synthesis, and the preparation of other
tungstates.
HOLDING:
Crude sodium tungstate is classifiable under the provision
for other tungstates (wolframates) in 2841.80.0050, HTSUS. The
rate of duty is 10 percent ad valorem.
Sincerely,
John Durant, Director
Commercial Rulings Division