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NY A80231




March 15, 1996

MAR-2 RR:NC:MA:101 A80231

CATEGORY: MARKING

Mr. Steven B. Zisser
Stein Shostak Shostak & O'Hara
Suite 1200
515 South Figueroa Street
Los Angeles, CA 90071-3329

RE: THE COUNTRY OF ORIGIN MARKING OF AUTOMOTIVE RACKS; Article 509

Dear Mr. Zisser:

This is in response to your letter dated February 12, 1996 on behalf of Yakima Products, Inc., of Arcata, California requesting a ruling on whether the proposed marking "Yakima P.O. Box 4899, 1385 8th Street, Arcata, California 95521 USA, Designed in USA Made in Mexico" is an acceptable country of origin marking for imported automotive racks. A marked sample was not submitted with your letter for review.

The marking statute, section 304, Tariff Act of 1930, as amended (19 U.S.C. 1304), provides that, unless excepted, every article of foreign origin (or its container) imported into the U.S. shall be marked in a conspicuous place as legibly, indelibly and permanently as the nature of the article (or its container) will permit; in such a manner as to indicate the ultimate purchaser in the U.S. and the English name of the country of origin of the article. Part 134, Customs Regulations (19 CFR Part 134) implements the country of origin marking requirements and exceptions of 19 U.S.C. 1304. The country of origin marking requirements for a "good of a NAFTA country" are also determined in accordance with Annex 311 of the North American Free Trade Agreement ("NAFTA"), as implemented by section 207 of the North American Free Trade Agreement Implementation Act (Pub. L. 103-182, 107 Stat 2057) (December 8, 1993) and the interim amendments to the Customs Regulations published as T.D. 94-4 (59 Fed. Reg. 109, January 3, 1994) with corrections (59 Fed. Reg. 5082, February 3, 1994) and T.D. 94-1 (59 Fed. Reg. 69460, December 30, 1993). These interim amendments took effect on January 1, 1994 to coincide with the effective date of the NAFTA. The Marking Rules used for determining whether a good is a good of a NAFTA country are contained in T.D. 94-4 (adding a new Part 102, Customs Regulations). The marking requirements of these goods are set forth in T.D. 94-1 (interim amendments to various provisions of Part 134, Customs Regulations).

Section 134.45(a)(2) of the interim regulations, provides that "a good of a NAFTA country may be marked with the name of the country of origin in English, French or Spanish. Section 134.1(g) of the interim regulations, defines a "good of a NAFTA country" as an article for which the country of origin is Canada, Mexico or the United States as determined under the NAFTA Marking Rules.

As provided in section 134.41(b), Customs Regulations (19 CFR 134.41(b)), the country of origin marking is considered conspicuous if the ultimate purchaser in the U.S. is able to find the marking easily and read it without strain.

With regard to the permanency of a marking, section 134.41(a), Customs Regulations (19 CFR 134.41(a)), provides that as a general rule marking requirements are best met by marking worked into the article at the time of manufacture. For example, it is suggested that the country of origin on metal articles be die sunk, molded in, or etched. However, section 134.44, Customs Regulations (19 CFR 134.44), generally provides that any marking that is sufficiently permanent so that it will remain on the article until it reaches the ultimate purchaser unless deliberately removed is acceptable.

You ask if the specific phrase, "Designed in USA Made in Mexico" satisfies the marking requirements of 19 U.S.C 1304 and 19 CFR Part 134 and is an acceptable country of origin marking for the imported automotive racks. You have cited Headquarters Ruling 734144 of July 5, 1991.

The situation which you present is very similar to that in HQ Ruling 734144 in which the phrase "Designed in U.S.A. Made in (Country of origin)" was allowed.

The proposed marking of imported automotive racks, as described above, is conspicuously, legibly and permanently marked in satisfaction of the marking requirements of 19 U.S.C. 1304 and 19 CFR Part 134 and is an acceptable country of origin marking for the imported automotive racks.

This ruling is being issued under the provisions of Part 181 of the Customs Regulations (19 CFR Part 181).

A copy of the ruling or the control number indicated above should be provided with the entry documents filed at the time this merchandise is imported. If you have any questions regarding the ruling, contact National Import Specialist Robert DeSoucey at 212-466-5667.

Sincerely,

Roger J. Silvestri

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