CLA-2-84:RR:NC:1:104 C88516
Mr. Robert J. Resetar
Porsche Cars North America, Inc.
980 Hammond Drive, Suite 1000
Atlanta, Georgia 30328
RE: The tariff classification of an activated charcoal canister from
Germany.
Dear Mr. Resetar:
In your letter dated May 28, 1998 you requested a tariff classification
ruling.
You state that the activated charcoal canister is part of an automotive
evaporative fuel emissions system. It has fittings on either end for attaching
vent hoses or lines. The function of the canister is as follows: when the
vehicle is idle, specifically during warm weather, fuel vapor accumulates in the
fuel tank. As pressure increases, fuel vapor is forced out of the fuel tank,
through a vent line and into the activated charcoal canister. The charcoal
absorbs raw fuel contained in the vapor. When the vehicle is started, a switch
is triggered opening a vent that draws fresh air through a vent line, into the
canister. Raw fuel is removed from the charcoal by the fresh air (in effect,
backflushing the canister) and is transported via another vent line into the
engine intake manifold where it is burned off in the cylinder.
The applicable subheading for the activated charcoal canister will be
8421.39.8015, Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTS), which
provides for filtering or purifying machinery and apparatus for gases: other:
other. The rate of duty will be 0.8 percent.
This ruling is being issued under the provisions of Part 177 of the Customs
Regulations (19 C.F.R. 177).
A copy of the 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 Robert Losche at 212-466-5670.
Sincerely,
Robert B. Swierupski
Director,
National Commodity
Specialist Division