CLA2-94:OT:RR:NC:N4:463

9404.40.9005; 9404.90.1000; 9903.88.15; 9903.88.16

Thiago V. Castro
Jojo Designs, LLC
4701 NW 103rd Avenue
Sunrise, FL 33351

RE: Classification of two Anchors Away bedding sets made in China

Dear Mr. Castro:

This is in reply to your letter dated March 10, 2022, requesting a tariff classification ruling for two Anchors Away bedding sets. Illustrative literature, product descriptions, web links and samples were provided.

Per the provided information, you are requesting a tariff classification ruling on an 11-piece Anchors Away bedding set and a smaller 4-piece Anchors Away bedding set. The 11-piece bedding set consists of the following: a crib comforter, a fitted crib sheet, a crib skirt, a decorative pillow, a toy bag, a diaper stacker, 2 window valances, and 3 wall hangings. The 4-piece bedding set consists of only the following: a crib comforter, a fitted crib sheet, a crib skirt, and a diaper stacker. You state that all articles are made in China. See image below:

Anchors Away Bedding Set (Items in picture are not necessarily part of set.)    Brief descriptions of the articles that make up the 11-piece and the 4-piece bedding sets follow:

The comforter has a 100% cotton woven fabric front and back and is stuffed with 100% polyester fiberfill batting. The front of the comforter has a large navy-blue applique of a traditional anchor on a white background with a navy-blue border. The back of the comforter is navy blue. The comforter measures 45 x 36 inches.

The fitted sheet is made from 100 percent cotton woven fabric. It does not contain any embroidery, lace, braid, edging, trimming, piping or applique work. The fabric is not napped.

The crib skirt is made from 100% cotton woven fabric. The skirt portion includes two narrow woven overlays creating two 1-inch horizontal navy-blue stripes on all four sides and a traditional navy-blue anchor overlay motif on one side.

The cylindrically shaped decorative pillow is made from a 100% cotton white woven fabric, 100% polyester fiberfill, and measures approximately 16-inches long and 6-inches across. It has two 1-inch navy-blue stripes at each end.

The toy bag is made from 100% cotton woven fabric and features front and back panels. The complete two-panel, half-moon-shaped article measures 24 x 13 inches and has a full opening. The front panel is lined with a 100% cotton woven fabric and is stuffed with 100% polyester fiberfill. The bag features a traditional navy-blue anchor embroidered on the front panel and two fabric straps.

The diaper stacker is made from 100% cotton woven fabrics and features a bottom panel, two side panels, two back panels, and three front panels. The complete eight-panel, pyramidal-shaped stacker measures 15 x 20 inches. It has a slit opening in the front that extends lengthwise from the middle, and a cardboard base. The rounded navy-blue fabric on the front and back panels are stuffed with 100% polyester fiberfill. The stacker features a traditional navy-blue anchor embroidered on the front right panel and two fabric ties for hanging.

The 2 valances are made from 100% cotton woven fabric. They feature a double tunnel rod pocket at the top, two narrow woven fabric overlays creating two 1-inch horizontal stripes across the valance and a traditional navy-blue anchor overlay motif. Each valance measures approximately 16 x 54 inches.

The 3 wall hangings are made from 100% cotton woven fabric with a nonwoven batting core. All three wall hangings have the same traditional navy-blue anchor applique. Each wall hanging is approximately 10 x 10 inches and is hung on the wall with an attached ½-inch-wide x 13-inch-long self-fabric hanger.

Classification under the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS) is made in accordance with the General Rules of Interpretation (GRIs). GRI 1 provides that the classification of goods shall be determined according to the terms of the headings of the tariff schedule and any relative section or chapter notes. If the goods cannot be classified solely based on GRI 1, and if the headings and legal notes do not otherwise require, the remaining GRIs 2 through 6 are then applied in order.

A “set” is defined within the meaning of General Rule of Interpretation 3(b) (GRI 3(b)) and the Explanatory Notes (ENs) to the HTSUS, which constitute the official interpretation of the tariff at the international level. EN X to GRI 3(b) provides that “[f]or the purposes of this Rule, the term "goods put up in sets for retail sale" shall be taken to mean goods which: (a) consist of at least two different articles which are, prima facie, classifiable in different headings; (b) consist of products or articles put together to meet a particular need or carry out a specific activity; and (c) are put up in a manner suitable for sale directly to users without repacking (e.g., in boxes or cases or on boards).” Sets are classified according to the component, or components taken together, which can be regarded as conferring on the set as a whole its essential character.

In correspondence, you referred to the subject articles as an 11-piece set and a 4-piece set, and requested that they be classified as sets. The articles meet GRI 3(b) set criteria (a), that is, they “consist of at least two different articles which are, prima facie, classifiable in different headings,” and GRI 3(b) set criteria (c), that is, they “are put up in a manner suitable for sale directly to users without repacking.” However, although the subject articles are intended for use in a baby’s room, they do not meet GRI 3(b) set criteria (b), that is, they do not “consist of products or articles put together to meet a particular need or carry out a specific activity.” Since the subject merchandise fails to meet all three GRI 3(b) set criteria, each article must be classified separately.

The applicable subheading for the crib comforter will be 9404.40.9005, HTSUS, which provides for “Mattress supports; articles of bedding and similar furnishing (for example, mattresses, quilts, eiderdowns, cushions, pouffes and pillows) fitted with springs or stuffed or internally fitted with any material or of cellular rubber or plastics, whether or not covered: Quilts, bedspreads, eiderdowns and duvets (comforters): Other: With outer shell of cotton.” The general rate of duty will be 12.8% ad valorem.

The applicable subheading for the fitted sheet will be 6302.31.9020, HTSUS, which provides for “Bed linen, table linen, toilet linen and kitchen linen: Other bed linen: Of cotton: Other: Not napped: Sheets.” The general rate of duty will be 6.7% ad valorem.

The applicable subheading for the crib skirt will be 6303.91.0020, HTSUS, which provides for “Curtains (including drapes) and interior blinds; curtain or bed valances: Other: Of cotton: Other.” The general rate of duty will be 10.3% ad valorem.

The applicable subheading for the decorative pillow will be 9404.90.1000, which provides for “Mattress supports; articles of bedding and similar furnishing (for example, mattresses, quilts, eiderdowns, cushions, pouffes and pillows) fitted with springs or stuffed or internally fitted with any material or of cellular rubber or plastics, whether or not covered: Other: Pillows, cushions and similar furnishings: Of cotton.” The rate of duty will be 5.3% ad valorem.

The applicable subheading for the diaper stacker and the toy bag will be 6307.90.9891, HTSUS, which provides for “[o]ther made up textile articles, including dress patterns: Other: Other: Other: Other: Other.” The general rate of duty will be 7% ad valorem.

The applicable subheading for the valances will be 6303.91.0010, HTSUS, which provides for “Curtains (including drapes) and interior blinds; curtain or bed valances: Other: Of cotton: Window curtains (including drapes) and window valances.” The general rate of duty will be 10.3% ad valorem.

The applicable subheading for the wall hangings will be 6304.92.0000, HTSUS, which provides for “Other furnishing articles, excluding those of heading 9404: Other: Not knitted or crocheted, of cotton.” The general rate of duty will be 6.3% ad valorem.

Pursuant to U.S. Note 20 to Subchapter III, Chapter 99, HTSUS, products of China classified under subheading 9404.40.9005 HTSUS, unless specifically excluded, are subject to an additional 15% ad valorem rate of duty under 9903.88.16, HTSUS; however, this provision was suspended, effective December 15, 2019, and is not currently applicable. See 84 Fed. Reg. 243 (December 18, 2019).

Pursuant to U.S. Note 20 to Subchapter III, Chapter 99, HTSUS, products of China classified under subheadings 6302.31.9020, 6303.91.0010, 6303.91.0020, 6304.92.0000, 6307.90.9891, and 9404.90.1000, HTSUS, unless specifically excluded, are subject to an additional 7.5% ad valorem rate of duty. At the time of importation, you must report the Chapter 99 subheading, i.e., 9903.88.15, in addition to subheading 6302.31.9020, 6303.91.0010, 6303.91.0020, 6304.92.0000, 6307.90.9891, and 9404.90.1000, HTSUS, listed above.

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 https://hts.usitc.gov/current.

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 Seth Mazze at [email protected].

Sincerely,

Steven A. Mack
Director
National Commodity Specialist Division