United States International Trade Commision Rulings And Harmonized Tariff Schedule
faqs.org  Rulings By Number  Rulings By Category  Tariff Numbers
faqs.org > Rulings and Tariffs Home > Rulings By Number > 2001 NY Rulings > NY H82352 - NY H82396 > NY H82358

Previous Ruling Next Ruling
NY H82358





July 13, 2001

CLA-2-19:RR:NC:19:228 H82358

CATEGORY: CLASSIFICATION

TARIFF NO.: 1905.30.0049; 9801.00.1097

Mr. Scott R. Boyer
Kraft Foods North America, Inc.
910 Mayer Avenue 6S
Madison, WI 53704

RE: The tariff classification and country of origin marking of snack items from Mexico; Article 509

Dear Mr. Boyer:

In your letters dated May 2, 2001 and June 11, 2001, you requested a ruling on the status of snack items from Mexico under the NAFTA.

Samples, submitted with your first letter, were examined and disposed of. Oscar Mayer Lunchable Fun Snacks® consist of a rectangular plastic tray with three compartments, each containing a component of a snack product the consumer is to assemble. Chocolate Cookies ‘n Frosting consists of two 2¾-inch diameter chocolate cookies and a 3-inch plastic wand in the main compartment, a ¾-ounce portion of vanilla frosting in the second compartment, and several M&M® Plain Chocolate Candies in the third tray cavity. S’Mores contains two 2½-inch square graham crackers and a plastic wand in the main compartment, marshmallow cream in the second, and two small chocolate bars in the third. Mini Cones M&M’s® Chocolate contains three 2-inch wafer cones and a plastic wand in the main compartment, a chocolate-flavored cream paste filling in the second, and M&Ms® Milk Chocolate Candies in the third section. Mini Cones Reese’s® Candy Pieces contains three 2-inch Oreo® cones and a plastic wand in the main compartment, a peanut butter cream filling in the second, and several Reese’s® Candy Pieces in the third. The open top of each tray is sealed with a printed paper and plastic film laminate material, and a printed paper card with the nutrition information and ingredients listing is glued to the bottom. Two trays are placed one atop the other, and overwrapped with clear plastic film.

All components of the Fun Snacks – the food ingredients (cookies, crackers, cones, chocolate, fillings, M&M’s®, and Reese’s® candies), trays, wands, printed cards and tray covers, and plastic wrapping film - are products of the United States. In Mexico, the foods are portioned and placed into the tray compartments, with the plastic wand, the trays are sealed, the backing card affixed, and two trays are stacked and shrink-wrapped to make one twin pack.

For tariff classification purposes, the Fun Snacks are considered goods put up in sets for retail sale. In accordance with General Rule of Interpretation (GRI) 3(b) the Fun Snacks will be classified as the component which gives them their essential character – the cookies, crackers, and cones.

The applicable tariff provision for the Oscar Mayer Lunchable Fun Snacks® will be 1905.30.0049, Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States Annotated (HTSUSA), which provides for bread, pastry, cakes, biscuits and other bakers’ wares, whether or not containing cocoasweet biscuits; waffles and wafersotherother. The rate of duty will be free.

Subheading 9801.00.1097, HTSUSA, provides for the duty-free entry of products of the U.S. that are returned after having been exported, without having been advanced in value or improved in condition by any process of manufacture or other means while abroad, provided there has been compliance with the documentary requirements of section 10.1, Customs Regulations (19 C.F.R. §10.1).

In this case, the U.S.-origin cookies, crackers, cones, candies, fillings, toppings, printed cards, plastic trays, and plastic wands are not advanced in value or improved in condition while abroad. Therefore, when the above-described Fun Snacks are imported, these components will be entitled to duty-free treatment under subheading 9801.00.1097, HTSUSA, assuming compliance with the documentation requirements of 19 C.F.R. §10.1.

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 to the ultimate purchaser in the U.S. 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 appropriate Customs Regulations. The Marking Rules used for determining whether a good is a good of a NAFTA country are contained in Part 102, Customs Regulations. The marking requirements of these goods are set forth in Part 134, Customs Regulations.

Section 134.45(a)(2) of the 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 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.

Applying the NAFTA Marking Rules set forth in Part 102 of the regulations to the facts of this case, we find that the imported Fun Snacks are goods of the United States for marking purposes. A good determined to be an article of U.S. origin is not subject to the country of origin marking requirements of 19 U.S.C. §1304. Whether an article may be marked with the phrase "Made in the USA" or similar words denoting U.S. origin, is an issue under the authority of the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). We suggest that you contact the FTC Division of Enforcement, 6th and Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20508 on the propriety of proposed markings indicating that an article is made in the U.S.

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

This ruling letter is binding only as to the party to whom it is issued and may be relied on only by that party.

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 Stanley Hopard at 212-637-7065.

Sincerely,

Robert B. Swierupski
Director,

Previous Ruling Next Ruling

See also: