CLA-2-73:RR:NC:1:118 C84039
Mr. Michael A. Johnson
O'Donnell, Byrne & Williams
20 North Wacker Drive
Suite 1416
Chicago, Illinois 60606
RE: The tariff classification of tapping screws from China and Taiwan.
Dear Mr. Johnson:
In your letter dated January 29, 1998, you requested a tariff classification ruling on behalf of your client Compass International Inc., Buena Park, CA.
The subject items are described as parallel threaded, tempered and case hardened, cross recessed flat countersunk head, thread-forming tapping screws made from AISI 1018 or AISI 1022 carbon steel wire. These tapping screws are intended for multiple use, including fastening steel members to one another or to other rigid materials such as plywood, particle board, or gypsum board, in drywall construction and in decking and siding construction. The tapping screws come in the following sizes and lengths:
Compass No. Nominal Size Threads per inch (+/-10%)
MARKER
31040 6 X 1 9 tpi
31060 6 x 1-1/8 9 tpi
31080 6 x 1-1/4 9 tpi
31090 6 x 1-1/2 9 tpi
31100 6 x 1-5/8 9 tpi
31120 6 x 2 9 tpi
31140 6 x 2-1/4 9 tpi
31160 7 x 2-1/2 9 tpi
31170 8 x 2-1/2 8 tpi
31180 8 x 3 8 tpi
31190 10 x 3-1/2 8 tpi
31220 10 x 4 8 tpi
DECKMARK
12040 6 x 1 9 tpi
12080 6 x 1-1/4 9 tpi
12100 6 x 1-5/8 9 tpi
12120 6 x 2 9 tpi
12160 8 x 2-1/2 8 tpi
12190 10 x 3-1/2 8 tpi
12220 10 x 4 8 tpi
12240 10 x 4-1/2 8 tpi
12260 10 x 5 8 tpi
12280 10 x 6 8 tpi
LIFECOAT
18080 7 x 1-1/4 10 tpi
18100 7 x 1-5/8 10 tpi
18120 7 x 2 10 tpi
18160 9 x 2-1/2 9 tpi
18180 9 x 3 9 tpi
18190 9 x 3-1/2 not indicated
All of the above listed screws have its greatest outside diameter to be less than 6 mm.
The classification of merchandise under the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTS) is governed by the General Rules of Interpretation (GRI'S). GRI 1, HTS, states in part that "for legal purposes, classification shall be determined according to the terms of the headings and any relative section or chapter notes...". This Rule applies to your products.
The applicable subheading for all of your items will be 7318.14.1060, HTS, which provides for screws, bolts, nuts, coach screws, screw hooks, rivets, cotters, cotter pins, washers, (including spring washers) and similar articles of iron or steel: threaded articles: self-tapping screws: having shanks or threads with a diameter of less than 6 mm: other. The duty rate will be 6.2% ad valorem.
This ruling is being issued under the provisions of Part 177 of the Customs Regulations (19 C.F.R. 177).
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 the ruling, contact National Import Specialist Kathy Campanelli at 212-466-5492.
Sincerely,
Robert B. Swierupski
Director
National Commodity
Specialist Division