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HQ 953531



June 4,1993

CLA-2 CO:R:C:F 953531 JGH

CATEGORY: CLASSIFICATION

TARIFF NO.: 2932.90.4100

Mr. Paul A. Keane
Keane and Associates
International Marketing
7 East Chestnut
Chicago, Illinois 60611

RE: Reconsideration of Headquarters Ruling Letter (HQRL) 086173, dated March 29, 1990.

Dear Mr. Keane:

Your letter of February 25, 1993, concerns the classification of piperonyl butoxide (PBO) under the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS). In the above-cited ruling this chemical was classified as an other aromatic, heterocyclic compound with hetero-atoms only, in subheading 2932.90.4100, HTSUS.

FACTS:

It is your contention that the above ruling was wrong and that PBO should be classified as a pesticide in subheading 2932.90.20, HTSUS. Also you maintain that the conclusion in the ruling that PBO is only used as a synergist and never alone as a pesticide was in error. While you acknowledge that one of the major uses of PBO is as a synergist, you claim that it is also an effective acaricide, has considerable insecticidal activity and is used as a growth regulator. In support of your position you submitted several excerpts from the technical literature, dating back to 1947, illustrating PBO's insecticidal action.

ISSUE:

Classification of PBO in the HTSUS. - 2 -

LAW AND ANALYSIS:

On review of the ruling in question, apparently we did err in stating that PBO appeared to have no pesticidal activity when used alone. However, even while acknowledging that it does possess some insecticidal properties, we do not believe that this is its primary use.

The test for classification of PBO in the tariff as a pesticide is not whether it has any pesticidal activity but whether it is currently predominantly used as a pesticide. It is noted that many of the authorities you cited not only mentioned PBO's use as a pesticide but also its synergistic use. A synergist is defined as a material which enhances the remedial efficiency of a therapeutically active agent, or the effective- ness of an insecticide, fungicide, or similar biological agent. The Condensed Chemical Dictionary. A synergist for tariff classification purposes is not a pesticide. In fact, a review of the more recent technical literature on PBO shows that the most common use is as a synergist. Piperonyl Butoxide is defined as an insecticide synergist, especially for pyrethoids and rotenone. The Merck Index - Eleventh Edition (1989).

Therefore, even though PBO may have pesticidal activity, the preferred commercial use is as a synergist. Thus, we remain of the opinion that it is correctly classifiable in subheading 2932.90.4100, HTSUS.

HOLDING:

HQRL 086173 is affirmed.

Sincerely,


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