CLA-2-84:OT:RR:E:NC:1:104

Ms. Donna L. Hiltpold
The Stanley Works
480 Myrtle Street
New Britain, CT 06053

RE: The tariff classification of an Electronic Torque Wrench from an unknown country

Dear Ms. Hiltpold:

In your letter dated April 28, 2009 you requested a tariff classification ruling.

Item #J6346 is a twenty-two inch hand held electronic torque wrench. The torque wrench employs other tooling called sockets. The wrench will not work on a nut or bolt without a socket being attached to the male square drive. The device does not possess a self-contained motor. The battery is used to operate the transducer/circuit board/LCD read out. The torque is applied manually in a manner similar to that of a manual torque wrench. The socket is attached to the male square drive which sends a signal to the LCD read out through the circuit board as the torque is applied manually.

The torque wrench in this case, does not include a socket or sockets, and as such cannot operate on a nut or bolt. A torque wrench without sockets is described in heading 8466 as it is a tool holder for sockets, which are designed for hand operation.

The applicable subheading for item #J6346 as described above will be 8466.10.0175, Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS), which provides for Parts and accessories suitable for use solely or principally with the machines of headings 8456 to 8465, including work or tool holders, self-opening dieheads, dividing heads and other special attachments for machine tools; tool holders for any type of tool for working in the hand: Tool holders and self-opening dieheads: Other. The rate of duty will be 3.9 percent 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/.

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 Patricia O’Donnell at (646) 733-3011.

Sincerely,

Robert B. Swierupski
Director
National Commodity Specialist Division