May 2 CBP Bulletin Proposes to Modify, Revoke Rulings on Brass Plumbing Parts, Soapstone Holders
In the May 2 Customs Bulletin (Vol. 52, No. 18), CBP published notices that propose to modify or revoke rulings and similar treatment for brass plumbing components and soapstone holders.
Sign up for a free preview to unlock the rest of this article
Timely, relevant coverage of court proceedings and agency rulings involving tariffs, classification, valuation, origin and antidumping and countervailing duties. Each day, Trade Law Daily subscribers receive a daily headline email, in-depth PDF edition and access to all relevant documents via our trade law source document library and website.
Comments on Proposals Due June 1
CBP said consideration will be given to any written comments received by June 1 before taking this action. In addition, any party who has received a ruling or decision on the merchandise that is subject to the proposed revocations or modifications, or any party involved with a substantially identical transaction, should advise CBP by the date that written comments on the proposed ruling are due. (An importer's failure to advise CBP of such rulings, decisions or substantially identical transactions may raise issues of reasonable care on the part of the importer or its agents for importations subsequent to the effective date of the final decision in this notice.)
Proposals
CBP is proposing to revoke or modify the rulings below, and any rulings on these products that may exist but have not been specifically identified. CBP is also proposing to revoke any treatment it has previously accorded to substantially identical transactions.
Brass Plumbing Components
| Item: Various articles designed to connect pipe ends and fixtures in plumbing systems, including brass "p-traps" and a center outlet waste with slip joint connection and an end outlet waste. |
| Current: 7419.99.50, free, “Other articles of copper: Other: Other: Other: Other.” |
| Proposed: 7412.20.00, 3%, “Copper tube or pipe fittings (for example couplings, elbows, sleeves): Of copper alloys.” |
| Reason: The "p-traps" and center outlet waste all meet the definition of pipe fittings in that they allow fluids to flow through their apertures while simultaneously affecting the flow of the fluid in some manner. They are therefore more specifically described in heading 7412 of the tariff schedule. |
| Proposed for revocation: NY N262070 (2015), NY L82336 (2005) |
| Proposed new ruling: HQ H260141 |
Steel Holder With Soapstone Marker
| Item: The Hot Max Flat Soapstone Holder. The holder consists of a steel body, threaded collar that tightens the soapstone in place, and a pocket clip. In its imported condition there is a flat rectangular piece of soapstone housed within the holder. This item is used for marking metals and dark materials, and will not burn off even under extreme heat caused by welding and cutting. |
| Current: 7116.20.40, 10.5%, “Articles of natural or cultured pearls, precious or semiprecious stones (natural, synthetic or reconstructed).” |
| Proposed: 9017.20.8080, 4.6%, "Drawing, marking-out or mathematical calculating instruments (for example, drafting machines, pantographs, protractors, drawing sets, slide rules, disc calculators); instruments for measuring length, for use in the hand (for example, measuring rods and tapes, micrometers, calipers), not specified or included elsewhere in this chapter; parts and accessories thereof: Other drawing, marking-out or mathematical calculating instruments: Other: Other.” |
| Reason: The soapstone holder is currently incorrectly classified because the ruling only examined the soapstone chalk inside the holder and did not account for the steel holder housing the soapstone. The entire article is used for technical or industrial purposes to mark metals, wood or brick for measurements and to indicate where to cut, saw, paint, etc. for welding or other industrial purposes, and is more specifically classified in heading 9017. |
| Proposed for revocation: NY N239783 (2013) |
| Proposed new ruling: HQ H293247 |