CLA-2-90:RR:NC:GI:105 A85453
Darlene DiBernardo
Livingston International, Inc.
P.O. Box 2925
Champlain, NY 12919
RE: The tariff classification of an olfactometer from Canada
Dear Ms. DiBernardo:
In your letter dated July 3, 1996, you requested a tariff classification ruling on behalf of
Tecnovior International, Inc.
The "Tecnodor" is described by the literature as "the high-tech portable olfactometer." It is
used to measure the intensity, but not the quality, of an odor. It produces a known intensity
reference odor by introducing a standard referencing substance, n-butyl alcohol, into a volume of
air. It delivers this known intensity odor to human testers (the jury) who use their noses to sniff it
to compare it to the odor being analyzed. The jury reports back to the Tecnodor whether the
intensity of the known odor was too high or too low. The Tecnodor produces a new reference
odor which is closer in intensity to the odor being tested. This process is repeated until the jury
reports that the odors match in intensity. A record of the jury's responses and the intensity of the
matching known odor is retained by the Tecnodor.
The applicable subheading for the Tecnodor will be 9027.80.8060, Harmonized Tariff
Schedule of the United States (HTS), which provides for other instruments and apparatus for
physical or chemical analysis, other. The general rate of duty will be 4.6 percent ad valorem.
Articles classifiable under subheading 9027.80.8060 HTS, which are products of Canada, are
entitled to a rate of 1.2 percent ad valorem under the North American Free Trade Agreement
(NAFTA) upon compliance with all applicable regulations.
This ruling is being issued under the provisions of Part 177 of the Customs Regulations (19
C.F.R. 177). It is binding only on the party to whom it is issued and may be relied on only by that
party.
A copy of this 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 this
ruling, contact National Import Specialist Eric Francke at (212) 466-5669.
Sincerely,
Roger J. Silvestri
Director
National Commodity Specialist Division