CLA-2-30:OT:RR:NC:N2:238

Mr. Douglas Nicholl
Gebauer Company
4444 East 153rd Street
Cleveland, OH 44128

RE: The tariff classification of Ethyl Chloride® Topical Anesthetic Skin Refrigerant

Dear Mr. Nicholl:

In your letter dated August 5, 2011, you requested a tariff classification ruling. You provided an MSDS and Technical Data sheet for our review. You did not provide a sample.

The subject product, Gebauer’s Ethyl Chloride® Topical Anesthetic Skin Refrigerant produces a cooling temporary anesthetic effect upon contact with skin, intact mucous membranes and minor open wounds. It is applied in the form of a fine stream, mist or medium stream spray that evaporates immediately upon contract with the surface target area. Ethyl Chloride® Topical Anesthetic Skin Refrigerant is used as a pre-injection anesthesia and a topical anesthesia for minor surgical procedures. It is also indicated for the temporary relief of pain associated with sports injuries such as contusion, sprains, bruising, cuts and abrasion. It is put up ready for retail sale in 3.5 fluid ounce aerosol cans and will only be available to licensed health care practitioners or by prescription.

The applicable subheading for the Gebauer’s Ethyl Chloride® Topical Anesthetic Skin Refrigerant will be 3004.90.9145, Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS), which provides for: Medicaments…consisting of mixed or unmixed products for therapeutic or prophylactic uses, put up in measured doses (including those in the form of transdermal administration systems) or in forms or packings for retail sale: Other: Other: Other: Dermatological agents and local anesthetics. The rate of duty will be free.

Duty rates are provided for your convenience and are subject to change. The text of the most recent HTSUS and the accompanying duty rates are provided on World Wide Web at http://www.usitc.gov/tata/hts/.

This merchandise may be subject to the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act and/or The Public Health Security and Bioterrorism Preparedness and Response Act of 2002 (The Bioterrorism Act), which are administered by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Information on the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, as well as The Bioterrorism Act, can be obtained by calling the FDA at 1-888-463-6332, or by visiting their website at www.fda.gov.

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 the National Import Specialist at (646) 733-3033.

Sincerely,

Robert B. Swierupski
Director
National Commodity Specialist Division