CLA-2-90:S:N:N1:104 863316
Mr. R. Stewart Fisher
206 Rodney Bldg.
3411 Silverside Road
Wilmington, DE 19810
RE: The tariff classification of the Blaine Star measuring
device from Germany.
Dear Mr. Fisher:
In your letter dated May 3, 1991 you requested a tariff
classification ruling.
The product literature indicates that the Blaine Star
measuring device was developed for the determination of the
specific surface of powdery material. It is primarily used in
cement quality control. There are two models, the ZEB-2002-B
which consists of a measuring tower, balance, computer, printer,
monitor, keyboard and dial gauge and the ZEB-2000-B consisting of
the measuring tower, computer and dial gauge. Basically, the
physical measurement takes place in the measuring tower and the
computer calculates the Blaine value. The tower consists of a
Blaine measuring cell with U-tube, permeability cell with a
plunger and a digital dial gauge. The material to be measured is
filled into the permeability cell and compressed by the plunger
to initiate the process.
You describe the Blaine device as air permeability apparatus
consisting essentially of a means of drawing a definite quantity
of air through a prepared bed of cement of definite porosity. The
number and size of the pores in a prepared bed of definite
porosity is a function of the size of the particles and
determines the rate of airflow through the bed.
The applicable subheading for the Blaine Star measuring
device will be 9027.80.8060, Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the
United States (HTS), which provides for other instruments and
apparatus for physical or chemical analysis: other. The rate of
duty will be 6.2 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