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Trade and Industry Department The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region
Brand Hong Kong - Asia world city
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Commercial Information Circulars

24-hour hotline : 23 922 922

e-mail address : enquiry@tid.gov.hk

Ref : EIC 111/3/13

20 June 2017

Dear Sirs,

Commercial Information Circular No. 509/2017

US : Proposed Modification of Tariff Classification of Nursing / Breast Pads

The US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) published in the Customs Bulletin and Decisions (Vol. 51, No. 23) of 7 June 2017 notices on the proposed revocation of tariff classification of nursing / breast pads.

2.CBP proposes to revoke New York Ruling Letter (NY) N245827 and N213901 with respect to the tariff classification of nursing / breast pads. In NY N245827 and NY N213901, CBP classified nursing pads under the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS) subheading 6307.90.9889, with the tariff rate of duty at 7% ad valorem. CBP has reviewed the classification and indicated that the nursing pads should be classified in HTSUS heading 9619 because of the fact that the absorbent material is the essential character of the subject merchandise. CBP now proposes to classify the nursing pads to HTSUS 9619.00.74, which provides for "Sanitary towels (pads) and tampons, diapers and diaper liners for babies and similar articles, of any materials: Other, of textile materials: Other: Of man-made fibers." The current tariff rate is 16% ad valorem. The relevant notice is available at https://www.cbp.gov/sites/default/files/assets/documents/2017-Jun/Vol_51_No_23_Title.pdf.

3.Interested parties may submit their comments on the proposal to CBP on or before 7 July 2017. Written comments are to be addressed to U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Office of Trade, Regulations and Rulings, Attention: Trade and Commercial Regulations Branch, 90 K St., NE, 10th Floor, Washington, DC 20229-1177. For further information, please contact Parisa J. Ghazi of Tariff Classification and Marking Branch, Regulations and Rulings, Office of Trade at 202 325 0272.

4.Although in the notice, CBP is specifically referring to the modification of NY N245827 and N213901, the notice covers any rulings on the relevant merchandise which may exist but have not been specifically identified. CBP also proposes to revoke any treatment previously accorded by CBP to substantially identical transactions. Any party who has received an interpretive ruling or decision (i.e., a ruling letter, internal advice memorandum or decision or protest review decision) on the merchandise subject to the notice should advise CBP during the notice period.

ENQUIRIES

5.For enquiries about the content of this circular, please contact Mr Lewis LAU at telephone number 2398 5405.

Yours faithfully,

(Ms Lydia CHAN)
for Director-General of Trade and Industry

Note: While every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of the above information, the Department cannot guarantee this to be so and will not be held liable for any reliance placed on the same.