Sept. 26 CBP Bulletin Proposes to Revoke Rulings on Raffia Handbags, Smartphone Accessories
In the Sept. 26 Customs Bulletin (Vol. 52, No. 39), CBP published notices that propose to revoke rulings and similar treatment for raffia handbags and a smartphone accessory consisting of a keyboard, LCD and trackpad.
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Comments on Proposals Due Oct. 26
CBP said consideration will be given to any written comments received by Oct. 26 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.
Raffia Handbags
| Item: Handbags with an outer surface of raffia and a textile-lined storage compartment. |
| Current: 4602.19.2920, 5.3%, “Basketwork, wickerwork and other articles, made directly to shape from plaiting materials or made up from articles of heading 4601; articles of loofah: Of vegetable materials: Other: Luggage, handbags and flatgoods, whether or not lined: Other: Handbags.” |
| Proposed: 4602.19.2500, 18%, “Basketwork, wickerwork and other articles, made directly to shape from plaiting materials or made up from articles of heading 4601; articles of loofah: Of vegetable materials: Other: Luggage, handbags and flatgoods, whether or not lined: Of palm leaf: Other.” |
| Reason: Raffia is a type of palm leaf, and is properly classified in the provision for palm leaves. |
| Proposed for revocation: NY N261630 (2015), NY N261223 (2015) |
| Proposed new ruling: HQ H284742 |
Smartphone Accessory
| Item: A smartphone accessory consisting of a keyboard, LCD and trackpad called the Superbook. It closely resembles a traditional laptop personal computer; however, unlike a laptop, the Superbook does not contain a processor, program storage, a speaker or a microphone. The processing and storage of all applications is performed from and stored onto the user’s smartphone. |
| Current: 8543.70.99, 2.6%, “Electrical machines and apparatus, having individual functions, not specified or included elsewhere in this chapter: Other machines and apparatus: Other.” |
| Proposed: 8543.70.60, free, "Electrical machines and apparatus, having individual functions, not specified or included elsewhere in this chapter; Other machines and apparatus: Articles designed for connection to telegraphic or telephonic apparatus or instruments or to telegraphic or telephonic networks.” |
| Reason: The Superbook is an electrical machine designed for connection to telephonic apparatus (i.e., a smartphone). |
| Proposed for revocation: NY N282589 (2017) |
| Proposed new ruling: HQ H286666 |