CLA-2-84:S:N:N1:103 853331
Mr. Arvind K. Suri
J. F. Moran Co., Inc.
20 Avery Road
Cranston, R.I. 02910
RE: The tariff classification of industrial robots from West
Germany
Dear Mr. Suri:
In your letter dated June 4, 1990 on behalf of Battenfeld of
America, Inc. you requested a tariff classification ruling.
You submitted literature depicting robots which are designed
for use with BA-T1100 through BAT-T8500 injection molding
machines. The robot is mounted onto the molding machine and is
used to automatically remove a molded article from the machine
and place the article onto a pallet. In some cases two robots
may be mounted onto a molding machine. In this situation the
first robot removes the molded article and places it in a
separate stamping press, while the second robot removes it after
the stamping operation and places it in a storage rack. The
robots are available in several versions, designated Unirob-A,
Unirob-A-E, Unirob-B, and Unirob-C, and are capable of handling
loads weighing up to 50 kilograms. They normally feature 3 or 4
axes of movement, with the option to add an additional 3 axes for
increased working range. The robots utilize asynchronous
electric motor drives for the primary axes of movement, and
pneumatic drives on the optional axes. Brushless 3-phase servo
motors are available for more demanding applications. Movement
of the robot arm is accomplished by means of linear bearings and
planetary gearing in conjunction with gear belts or racks. A
hand-held controller is used to control and program each robot.
The applicable subheading for the robots described above
will be 8428.90.0010, Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United
States (HTS), which provides for other lifting, handling, loading
or unloading machinery: industrial robots. The rate of duty will
be 2 percent ad valorem.
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