Sept. 6 CBP Bulletin Proposes to Modify Ruling on Reaching Aids
In the Sept. 6 Customs Bulletin (Vol. 57, No. 32), CBP published a proposal to modify two ruling letters concerning reaching aids.
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Comments on Proposals Due Oct. 6
CBP said consideration will be given to any written comments received by Oct. 6 before taking these actions. In addition, any party that has received a ruling or decision on the merchandise that is subject to the proposed revocations or modifications, or any party involved with a substantially identical transaction, should advise CBP by the date that written comments on the proposed ruling are due. (An importer's failure to advise CBP of such rulings, decisions or substantially identical transactions may raise issues of reasonable care on the part of the importer or its agents for importations after the effective date of the final decision in this notice.)
Proposal
CBP is proposing to revoke or modify the rulings below, and any rulings on these products that may exist but have not been specifically identified. CBP also is proposing to revoke any treatment it has previously accorded to substantially identical transactions.
Reaching Aids
| Item: Various types of “reachers” or “reaching aids” which are used for retrieving objects beyond an individual’s reach or for picking articles off the floor. The reacher basically consists of a long aluminum rod with a handle and trigger mechanism at one end and a spring operated gripping jaw at the other. |
| Current: 7616.90.5080, 9817.00.96, free, "Articles of aluminum, other, other, other." |
| Proposed: 7616.90.5080, 5.1%, "Articles of aluminum, other, other, other." |
| Reason: The reachers don't have any features that are “specifically designed or adapted” for the handicapped, so they are not eligible for duty-free treatment under subheading 9817.00.96. |
| Proposed for modification: NY 813853, dated Sept. 8, 1995, and HQ 556449, dated May 5, 1992 |
| Proposed new ruling: HQ H327276 |