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NY N021313





January 10, 2008

CLA-2-64:OT:RR:NC:SP:247

CATEGORY: CLASSIFICATION

TARIFF NO.: 6402.99.4060

Mr. Fernando Ramos
Avon Products Inc.
1251 Avenue of the Americas
New York, NY 10020-1196

RE: The tariff classification of footwear from China

Dear Mr. Ramos:

In your letter dated December 19, 2007 you requested a tariff classification ruling.

The submitted sample, identified as style PP 1062064 “Gold Gladiator Sandal,” is a women’s open-toe, open-heel shoe that has a predominately rubber/plastics material upper consisting of “T” configured straps over the instep, a thin strap at the back of the heel and an encircling ankle strap with decorative gem-like plastic stone accessories or reinforcements and a buckle closure. You state in your letter that this shoe has an upper of PU (polyurethane) plastic materials. However, our examination indicates that the surface area of the upper consists of a textile material that is covered externally with a visible layer of rubber or plastics, but which also features a regularly spaced and measurable pattern of uncoated woven fabric with visible textile fibers. Based on a visual estimate, we have determined that textile material not covered with a layer of rubber or plastics accounts for more than 10% of the upper’s external surface area. The shoe also has 1-inch high heel wedge and a cemented-on rubber/plastic outer sole.

The applicable subheading for the shoe, style PP 1062064 “Gold Gladiator Sandal,” will be 6402.99.4060, Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS), which provides for footwear, in which both the upper’s and outer sole’s external surface is predominately rubber and/or plastics; which is not “sports footwear”; which does not cover the ankle; in which the upper’s external surface area does not measure over 90% rubber or plastics (including accessories or reinforcements); other; which has open toes or open heelsfor women. The rate of duty will be 37.5% ad valorem.

Duty rates are provided for your convenience and are subject to change. The text of the most recent HTSUS and the accompanying duty rates are provided on World Wide Web at http://www.usitc.gov/tata/hts/.

The submitted sample is not marked with the country of origin. Therefore, if imported as is, the footwear will not meet the country of origin marking requirements of 19 U.S.C. 1304. Accordingly, the footwear would be considered not legally marked under the provisions of 19 C.F.R. 134.11 which states, "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 container) will permit, in such manner as to indicate to the ultimate purchaser in the U.S. the English name of the country of origin of the article."

We are returning the sample as you requested.

This ruling is being issued under the provisions of Part 177 of the Customs Regulations (19 C.F.R. 177).

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 Richard Foley at 646-733-3042.

Sincerely,

Robert B. Swierupski
Director,

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