CLA-2-62:OT:RR:NC:TAB:354

Ms. Sandra Wieckowski
Expeditors Tradewin, LLC
11101 Metro Airport Center Drive
Building M2, Suite 110
Romulus, MI 48174

RE: The tariff classification of mechanics gloves from China and Pakistan

Dear Ms. Wieckowski:

In your letter dated June 5, 2008, written on behalf of your client, Big Time Products, you requested a classification ruling. The gloves will be retained by our office.

You have submitted a sample of a pair of mechanics work gloves. Style #2001L is a full-fingered glove with a synthetic leather palmside from fingertips to wrist made from 75% nylon and 25% polyurethane. Synthetic leather also reinforces the thumb/forefinger crotch, and the backside of the fingertips. The back of the hand is made up of a knit man-made 95% nylon/5% spandex knit fabric that contains elastomeric yarn with the knuckle area made up of a 3-ply fabric consisting of an outer layer of knit fabric that contains elastomeric yarn, the center layer of foam and the inner layer of brushed tricot knit fabric. The gloves feature an elastic wrist band made of 75% polyester and 25% rubber with a thermoplastic rubber hook and loop fastener, and fourchettes made up of 95% polyester and 5% spandex knit fabric of elastomeric yarn.

The applicable subheading for style #2001L will be 6216.00.5820, Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS), which provides for gloves, mittens and mitts: other: of man-made fibers: other: with fourchettes…other. The duty rate will be 20.7 cents per kilogram plus 10.4% ad valorem.

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/.

Style #2001L falls within textile category 631. With the exception of certain products of China, quota/visa requirements are no longer applicable for merchandise which is the product of World Trade Organization (WTO) member countries. Quota and visa requirements are the result of international agreements that are subject to frequent renegotiations and changes. To obtain the most current information on quota and visa requirements applicable to this merchandise, we suggest you check, close to the time of shipment, the “Textile Status Report for Absolute Quotas” which is available on our web site at www.cbp.gov. For current information regarding possible textile safeguard actions on goods from China and related issues, we refer you to the web site of the Office of Textiles and Apparel of the Department of Commerce at otexa.ita.doc.gov.

The gloves are eligible for a preferential duty rate under the Temporary Reductions in Rates of Duty found in the HTSUS, Section XXII, Subchapter II, U.S. Note 18. Under the Temporary Reductions in Rates of Duty, the duty rate will be 2.8% ad valorem under subheading 9902.14.01, when imported from China or Pakistan, as they meet the definition for “mechanics work gloves” found in this Note. 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, contact National Import Specialist Deborah Marinucci at 646-733-3054.

Sincerely,

Robert B. Swierupski
Director,
National Commodity
Specialist Division