CLA-2-84:S:N:N1:105 852273
Mr. Jan van Eck
Vanco Trading Inc.
P.O. Box 307
Rowayton, CT 06853
RE: The tariff classification of gasoline vapor recovery units
from Denmark.
Dear Mr. van Eck:
In your letter dated May 3, 1990 you requested a tariff
classification ruling.
The gasoline vapor recovery units absorb gasoline vapor by a
cool sorption process. During the filling of a road tanker from
a storage tank the vapor in the empty tank is displaced by the
gasoline. The displaced vapor passes into the Cool Sorption
Unit, where it is processed and recovered.
The process includes washing the vapor in a counter current
with cooled kerosene in the absorber. The purified air then
leaves the unit from the top of the absorber column, while the
cooled kerosene, now containing the absorbed vapor, is collected
and equalized in a tank, from which it passes in a steady flow
for separation in the splitter. From the splitter the purified
kerosene passes into another tank for cooling and storage pending
start of the cycle again. The recovered purified gasoline passes
from the top of the splitter into the reabsorber, where it
becomes dissolved in a circulating stream of gasoline from the
storage tank.
The vapor recovery reduces health hazards to the drivers and
terminal personnel, as well as lowering smog formation in the
atmosphere. It also reduces fire risk at loading terminals and
service stations.
At service stations the slight underpressure which occurs
during unloading of the road tanker is utilized to suck
practically all the vapor from the station tank back into the
road tanker, from which it is recovered by the Cool Sorption Unit
at the next filling of the tanker at the terminal.
You indicate that at first you will import complete units,
but later will build them here under license, perhaps using
imported parts, a complete list of which you attach.
The applicable subheading for the Cool Sorption Gasoline
Vapor Recovery Units will be 8421.39.0050, Harmonized Tariff
Schedule of the United States (HTS), which provides for other
filtering or purifying machinery and apparatus for gases. The
rate of duty will be 3.9 percent ad valorem.
The classification of the parts are governed by Section XVI
Note 2,HTS, copy of which we enclose. If you decide to import
parts, you should file another ruling request for not more than
five parts per request.
This ruling is being issued under the provisions of Section
177 of the Customs Regulations (19 C.F.R. 177).
A copy of this ruling letter should be attached to the entry
documents filed at the time this merchandise is imported. If the
documents have been filed without a copy, this ruling should be
brought to the attention of the Customs officer handling the
transaction.
Sincerely,
Jean F. Maguire
Area Director
New York Seaport
Enclosure