CLA-2-02:OT:RR:NC:2:231

Mr. Brian Kavanaugh
Deringer Logistics Consulting Group
1 Lincoln Blvd., Suite 225
Rouses Point, NY 12979

RE: The tariff classification of fresh and frozen bison bones with adhering meat, from Canada. Correction to Ruling Number N087749.

Dear Mr. Kavanaugh:

This replaces Ruling Number N087749, dated January 7, 2010, issued to you on behalf of Sunterra Meats Ltd. (Innisfail, AB, Canada). That ruling contained a clerical error. The tariff subheadings governed by Additional U.S. Note 3 to chapter 2, HTSUS, were inadvertently taken to embrace all types of bovine meat, whereas they actually include only beef. Since bison meat is not beef, it falls into the residual provisions for bovine meat. A complete corrected ruling follows.

The goods in question are described as bison bones, “derived from the deboning process and not further processed,” to be imported with residual meat attached. You state that they will be packaged in 25-kg boxes or combo bins, and can be either fresh or frozen. The marrow will still be in the bones. You state further that the bones can be used after importation for pet food (by being cooked and/or smoked prior to sale as pet food chews), or for making soup stock/broth for human consumption. Photos accompanying your inquiry depict various, individual bones with small amounts of red meat adhering to them. The applicable subheading for the fresh bison bones will be 0201.20.8010, Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS), which provides for meat of bovine animals, fresh or chilled: other cuts with bone in: other: bison. The general rate of duty will be 26.4% ad valorem.

The applicable subheading for the frozen bison bones will be 0202.20.8000, HTSUS, which provides for meat of bovine animals, frozen: other cuts with bone in: other. The general rate of duty will be 26.4% ad valorem.

The above classifications apply when the bones are not from parts of the animal enumerated as “offal” (e.g., cuts of heads, feet, tails, etc.) in the Harmonized Explanatory Notes to heading 0206. Any bones of animal parts enumerated as offal will instead be classifiable as indicated below.

The applicable subheading for the fresh offal-type bison bones will be 0206.10.0000, HTSUS, which provides for edible offal of bovine animals, swine, sheep, goats, horses, asses, mules or hinnies, fresh, chilled or frozen: of bovine animals, fresh or chilled. The general rate of duty will be free.

The applicable subheading for the frozen offal-type bison bones will be 0206.29.0000, HTSUS, which provides for edible offal of bovine animals, swine, sheep, goats, horses, asses, mules or hinnies, fresh, chilled or frozen: of bovine animals, frozen: other. The general rate of duty will be free.

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/.

The importation of the merchandise discussed in this ruling may be subject to requirements administered by the following U.S. Department of Agriculture agencies, which may be contacted for further information:

USDA FSIS Technical Service Center Suite 300, Landmark Center 1299 Farnam Street Omaha, NE 68102 Tel. (402) 344-5000 Website: www.fsis.usda.gov

USDA APHIS, VS National Center for Import and Export 4700 River Road, Unit 40 Riverdale, MD 20737 Tel. (301) 734-3277 Website: www.aphis.usda.gov

This merchandise may also be subject to The Public Health Security and Bioterrorism Preparedness and Response Act of 2002 (The Bioterrorism Act), which is regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Information on the Bioterrorism Act can be obtained by calling FDA at 301-575-0156, or at the Web site www.fda.gov/oc/bioterrorism/bioact.html.

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 Nathan Rosenstein at (646) 733-3030.

Sincerely,

Robert B. Swierupski
Director
National Commodity Specialist Division