CLA-2-39:S:N:N3G:221 854237

Mr. Charles Potter
Stroud Diving & Hydrography
Marine Engineering Systems Co. Inc.
2045 Gilmore Street
Jacksonville, Florida 32204

RE: The tariff classification of diving umbilical hose lines from England.

Dear Mr. Potter:

In your letter dated July 5, 1990, you requested a tariff classification ruling. The samples included with your request consist of various combinations of hoses used for the commercial diving trade. The combinations include at a minimum a gas supply hose, a pneumofathometer hose, and a four core communication cable. Combinations may also include a hot water hose, a reclaim hose, a tracking hose, or a two core low voltage power cable. The hoses are made of plastics, reinforced with textile braid. The hoses and cables are twisted to form a single unit. The umbilicals are considered to be composite goods, with the essential character imparted by the plastic hoses.

The applicable subheading for the umbilicals, when the hoses have a minimum burst pressure of 27.6 MPa, will be 3917.31.0000, Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTS), which provides for flexible tubes, pipes and hoses, of plastics, having a minimum burst pressure of 27.6 MPa. The rate of duty will be 3.1 percent ad valorem.

The applicable subheading for the umbilicals, when the hoses do not have a minimum burst pressure of 27.6 MPa, will be 3917.39.0050, HTS, which provides for tubes, pipes and hoses of plastics, other. The rate of duty will be 3.1 percent ad valorem.

This ruling is being issued under the provisions of Section 177 of the Customs Regulations (19 C.F.R. 177).

A copy of this ruling letter should be attached to the entry documents filed at the time this merchandise is imported. If the documents have been filed without a copy, this ruling should be brought to the attention of the Customs officer handling the transaction.

Sincerely,

Jean F. Maguire
Area Director
New York Seaport