CLA-2-64:S:N8:346-T 889270
Mr. Leonard Satz
Savant Customs Brokers Inc.
11 Broadway, Suite 1068
New York, N.Y. 10004
RE: The tariff classification of a woman's raffia shoe from China.
Dear Mr. Satz:
In your letter dated August 12, l993, on behalf of Carrini
Inc., you requested a tariff classification ruling.
The submitted sample, Style # 5158, which you describe as
"natural raffia footwear", is a woman's open-toe, open heel shoe,
with a wedge shaped platform bottom and a cemented-on,
rubber/plastic outer sole and heel lift.
From an examination of the sample, it is clear that the
external upper material is not of vegetable fibers which have been
spun to become a textile material. It is clearly made up of very
thin layers of a "sheet material" which has been repeatedly folded
over upon itself. From your description as "natural raffia", we
take it that you are, in effect, claiming that this "sheet
material" consists of strips cut from palm leaves of trees of the
genus Raphia. The folded strips were then "plaited" to form the
upper, not technically "woven". If this is not an accurate
description of your material, this ruling is not valid.
The applicable subheading for this shoe, Style # 5158, will be
6405.90.9000, Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States
(HTS), which provides for footwear, in which the upper's external
surface is predominately other than leather, composition leather,
textile materials, or rubber and/or plastic; in which there is a
line of demarcation between the sole and the upper; and which is
not disposable footwear designed for one time use. The rate of
duty will be 12.5 percent ad valorem.
2
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