CLA-2-84:OT:RR:NC:1:104
Mr. Paul Zaniboni
EMD Millipore
Millipore Corporation
290 Concord Road
Billerica, MA 01821
RE: The tariff classification of NovaSeptic Mixer Components from Sweden
Dear Mr. Zaniboni:
In your letter dated February 28, 2012 you requested a tariff classification ruling.
NovaSeptic mixers, models GMP, USM and HS, are designed for the processing of liquids in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries. These models are designed to fit various tank sizes, processes and scales. The GMP mixer rotates up to 490 rpm and used for lower shear applications. The USM mixer rotates up to 1800 rpm and is used for moderate shear applications. The HS & HIS (in-line) mixers rotate up to 52000 rpm and are used for high shear applications.
The mixers are comprised of four primary components: the Mixing Head, the Tank Plate, the Drive Unit and the Male Bearing. The four components are imported in separate shipments. The mixing tank itself is not being imported. The components of the mixers are not intended to be used interchangeably with any other system. Depending on the size of the application, some mixer components, while designed for a specific mixer, can be used interchangeably among mixer models. For example, the Male Bearing for the GMP 50 can be used with the GMP 100 but is too small to be used on the GMP 5000. The Tank Plate is the only interchangeable item between like sized GMP, USM and HS mixers.
The Mixing Head is the agitator of the unit. It is made of stainless steel with a ceramic female bearing. The head is mounted inside the mixing vessel on the male bearing. The Mixing Head employs blades or wings to facilitate liquid flow.
The stainless steel Tank Plate is inserted into the tank bottom and welded into the hole cut out of the steel tank. It is used to mount the Male Bearing inside of the tank and to position the drive unit outside the tank. Only one tank plate is used per mixer. It becomes a permanent part of the mixing tank.
The Drive Unit is the power unit for the mixer. It consists of a 230/400 V AC – 50Hz/60Hz motor, a gear box and a thermistor. On top of the Drive Unit is a magnet driving head. When positioned properly on the outside of the mixing vessel, this driving head drives the mixing head inside the vessel. The kilowatts of the motors vary in output from 0.25kw to 3.00kw.
The Male Bearing is a ceramic post which provides stabilization for the mixing head. It is noted that the Male Bearing has already been ruled upon in NY ruling M84001 dated June 26, 2006.
The applicable subheading for the Mixing Head will be 8479.82.0040, Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS), which provides for “Machines and mechanical appliances having individual functions, not specified or included elsewhere in this chapter, parts thereof: Other machines and mechanical appliances: Mixing, kneading, crushing, grinding, screening, sifting, homogenizing, emulsifying or stirring machines: Mixing, kneading or stirring machines”. The rate of duty will be free.
The applicable subheading for the Tank Plate will be 8479.90.9496, HTSUS, which provides for “Machines and mechanical appliances having individual functions, not specified or included elsewhere in this chapter; parts thereof: Parts: Other: Other: Other”. The rate of duty will be free.
Your inquiry does not provide enough information for us to give a classification ruling on the Drive Unit. Your request for a classification ruling should indicate whether the Drive Unit is (1) single or multi phase and (2) a type of gear motor. Also, indicate the unit’s output in watts. When this information is available, you may wish to consider resubmission of your request. We are returning any related exhibits, etc. If you decide to resubmit your request, please include all of the material that we have returned to you.
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 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 Patricia O’Donnell at (646) 733-3011.
Sincerely,
Thomas J. Russo
Director
National Commodity Specialist Division