CLA-2-74:OT:RR:NC:1:118

Mr. Aaron Z. Phillips
Kink Inc.
40 Greenleaf St.
Rochester, NY 14609

RE: The tariff classification of bicycle nipples from China and Taiwan.

Dear Mr. Phillips:

In your letter dated July 29, 2010 you requested a tariff classification ruling.

You describe the instant merchandise as bicycle nipples. They connect the spokes on a bicycle to the bicycle rim. You have stated that they are made out of aluminum or brass and come in a variety of lengths and colors. The bicycle nipples have a circular slotted base which extends beyond the diameter of the shank. The shank contains a threaded hole which is less than 6 mm in diameter.

The applicable subheading for the brass bicycle nipples will be 7415.39.0000, Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS), which provides for nails, tacks, drawing pins, staples (other than those of heading 8305) and similar articles, of copper or of iron or steel with heads of copper, screws, bolts, nuts, screw hooks, rivets, cotters, cotter pins, washers (including spring washers) and similar articles, of copper: other threaded articles: other. The rate of duty will be 3 percent ad valorem.

The applicable subheading for the aluminum bicycle nipples will be 7616.10.9030, HTSUS, which provides for other articles of aluminum: nails, tacks, staples (other than those of heading 8305), screws, bolts, nuts, screw hooks, rivets, cotters, cotter pins, washers and similar articles: other: other: threaded fasteners. The rate of duty will be 6 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 Kathy Campannelli at (646) 733-3021.

Sincerely,

Robert B. Swierupski
Director
National Commodity Specialist Division