CLA-2-84:OT:RR:NC:N1:103
Shinji Azuma
Amuza Inc.
10060 Carroll Canyon Rd., Suite 100
San Diego, CA 92131
RE: The tariff classification of autoclave sterilizers from Japan
Dear Mr. Azuma:
In your letter dated June 6, 2025, you requested a tariff classification ruling.
The subject autoclave sterilizer is described as a benchtop device that uses pressurized steam to sterilize and
eliminate microbial life from surgical instruments, glass slides, petri dishes, glassware, and other reusable
tools. Its main components include a stainless-steel chamber (fitted with an electric heating element), an
automated locking lid assembly, a stackable basket system, and a control panel for programming sterilization
cycles and parameters, including the temperature, pressure, and sterilization time. The device heats water
inside a sealed chamber to generate pressurized steam. Once the preset temperature is reached, a timer is
activated and the temperature is maintained for the duration of the cycle.
The autoclave sterilizer will be imported under model numbers SX-500 and SX-700, both of which are
described as vertical top loading units marketed for laboratory use. They are electrically powered and have a
maximum sterilizing temperature of 135 degrees Celsius. Model number SX-500 has a 50-liter chamber
capacity, a 2-kW heating element, a maximum operating pressure of 0.263 MPa, and measures approximately
18.8 inches in length, 16.1 inches in width, and 38.2 inches in height. The SX-700 is larger, having a 69-liter
chamber capacity, a 3-kW heating element, a maximum operating pressure of 0.25 MPa, and measures
approximately 20.8 inches in length, 18.5 inches in width, and 39.5 inches in height.
The applicable subheading for the autoclave sterilizer, model numbers SX-500 and SX-700, will be
8419.20.0020, Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS), which provides for “Machinery,
plant or laboratory equipment, whether or not electrically heated (excluding furnaces, ovens and other
equipment of heading 8514), for the treatment of materials by a process involving a change of temperature
such as heating, cooking, roasting, distilling, rectifying, sterilizing, pasteurizing, steaming, drying,
evaporating, vaporizing, condensing or cooling, other than machinery or plant of a kind used for domestic
purposes; instantaneous or storage water heaters, nonelectric; parts thereof: Medical, surgical or laboratory
sterilizers: Laboratory sterilizers.” The general rate of duty will be free.
Effective April 5, 2025, Executive Orders implemented “Reciprocal Tariffs.” All imported merchandise must
be reported with either the Chapter 99 provision under which the reciprocal tariff applies or one of the
Chapter 99 provisions covering exceptions to the reciprocal tariffs. At this time products from all countries
will be subject to an additional 10 percent ad valorem rate of duty. At the time of entry, you must report the
Chapter 99 heading applicable to your product classification, i.e. 9903.01.25, in addition to subheading
8419.20.0020, HTSUS, listed above.
The tariffs and additional duties cited above are current as of this ruling’s issuance. 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 at https://hts.usitc.gov/.
The holding set forth above applies only to the specific factual situation and merchandise description as
identified in the ruling request. This position is clearly set forth in Title 19, Code of Federal Regulations
(CFR), Section 177.9(b)(1). This section states that a ruling letter is issued on the assumption that all of the
information furnished in the ruling letter, whether directly, by reference, or by implication, is accurate and
complete in every material respect. In the event that the facts are modified in any way, or if the goods do not
conform to these facts at time of importation, you should bring this to the attention of U.S. Customs and
Border Protection (CBP) and submit a request for a new ruling in accordance with 19 CFR 177.2.
Additionally, we note that the material facts described in the foregoing ruling may be subject to periodic
verification by CBP.
This ruling is being issued under the provisions of Part 177 of the Customs and Border Protection
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, please contact
National Import Specialist Paul Huang at [email protected].
Sincerely,
(for)
Steven A. Mack
Director
National Commodity Specialist Division