HQ 0081599 - Tariff classification of certain men's cotton swimwear - United States International Trade Commision Rulings

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HQ 081599

April 29, 1988

CLA-2:CO:R:C:G 081599 PAM 826844

CATEGORY: CLASSIFICATION

TARIFF NO.: 6211.11.2010

Ms. Diana Incivilito
Warnaco Sourcing
485 7th Avenue, 14th Floor
New York, New York 10018

RE: Tariff classification of certain men's cotton swimwear

Dear Ms. Incivilito:

This is in response to your letter of December 1, 1987, in which you request a tariff classification ruling on certain men's cotton swimwear from Taiwan.

ISSUE:

Are the sample garments classified as swimwear or shorts for tariff purposes?

FACTS:

Five samples were submitted for classification (styles FP02NP, FP04NP, FP08NP, FP09NP, and FP10NP). Each sample garment consists of a 100 percent woven cotton shell with an elastic waistband through which a drawstring is threaded, and a knitted nylon liner.

LAW AND ANALYSIS:

A recent court opinion defined swimwear as a garment which has an elasticized waistband with a drawstring, and a liner of nylon tricot, designed and used for swimming. Hampco Apparel, Inc. v. United States, Slip Op. 88-12 (Ct. Int'l Trade, decided January 28, 1988). In Headquarters Ruling Letter 081447 of March 21, 1988, we determined that garments similar to those discussed in Hampco which are designed and constructed for swimming and possess both an elasticized waistband through which a drawstring
is threaded and a lightweight nylon tricot liner will be treated as swimwear for tariff purposes. We decide whether or not a gar- ment is designed and constructed for swimming from the appearance of that garment. If Customs is unable to determine whether a garment is designed and constructed for swimming from its appear- ance, evidence of the way in which a garment has been designed, manufactured, marketed, or advertised, the way in which a manufacturer or importer intended a garment to be used, and the way in which a garment is chiefly used will be considered in or- der to facilitate our inquiry into the primary function of that garment.

In this instance, the samples meet all of the requirements enunciated in Hampco, and must be classified as swimwear. The appearance of these garments indicates that they are designed and constructed for swimming, and the requisite physical characteris- tics are present in every sample.

CONCLUSION:

For the reasons stated above, styles FP02NP, FP04NP, FP08NP, FP09NP, and FP10NP are all classified under subheading 6211.11.2010 of the HTSUSA, which provide for men's swimwear, of cotton, dutiable at the rate of 8 percent ad valorem, with tex- tile and apparel category 359. This classification represents the present position of the Customs Service regarding the duti- able status of the merchandise under the proposed HTSUSA. If there are changes before enactment this advice may not continue to be applicable.

The applicable item number from the Tariff Schedules of the United States Annotated for these garments is the provision for men's or boys' wearing apparel, not ornamented, of cotton, in item 381.6585, dutiable at the rate of 8 percent ad valorem. Textile and apparel category 359 applies to merchandise covered by this item number.

Sincerely,

John Durant

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