May 25 CBP Bulletin Proposes to Revoke Ruling on Timing Chain Tensioner and Tensioner Arm Assembly
In the May 25 Customs Bulletin (Vol. 56, No. 20), CBP published a proposal to revoke a ruling on timing chain tensioners and tensioner arm assemblies.
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Comments on Proposals Due June 24
CBP said consideration will be given to any written comments received by June 24 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.)
Proposals
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 is also proposing to revoke any treatment it has previously accorded to substantially identical transactions.
Certain Timing Chain Tensioner
| Item: Tensioner Assembly-Timing Chain used to manually open and close the air intake and exhaust valves of an automobile engine. The timing chain, is gradually stretched with continued use, and the opening and closing time of the valve will be changed accordingly. By controlling the tension of the timing chain, it performs a dampening function, maintaining the stretched chain stable during the operation by controlling the tension of the timing chain. The Tensioner Assembly-Timing Chain contains an aluminum housing, a locking pin and a tension unit. The tension unit consists of a steel housing, a spring, a rachet ring and a plunger. |
| Current: 8708.99.81, 2.5%, “Parts and accessories of motor vehicles of heading 8701 to 8705: Other parts and accessories: Other: Other: Other: Other: Other.” |
| Proposed: 8409.91.50, 2.5%, “Parts suitable for use solely or principally with the engines of heading 8407 or 8408: Other: Suitable for use solely or principally with sparkignition internal combustion piston engines (including rotary engines): Other: Other.” |
| Reason: The timing chain tensioner is an integral, constituent part of an engine of heading 8407. If the timing chain does not function properly, power cannot be transferred to the camshafts in the precise ratio that is required. |
| Proposed for revocation: N264870, dated June 1, 2015 |
| Proposed new ruling: HQ H316286 |
Certain Tensioner Arm Assembly
| Item: A Tensioner Arm Assembly-Timing Chain. The Tensioner Arm Assembly-Timing Chain is attached to the timing chain which maintains its constant and regular orbit. As one end of the item is fixed to an automobile engine with a bolt, the other end of the item transmits pressure from the timing tensioner to chain and maintains its tension. The Tensioner Arm Assembly-Timing Chain contains a shoe which is made of plastic and attached to the timing chain directly. It prevents the chain from getting off of its track. The Tensioner Arm Assembly-Timing Chain also contains a mold base which is also made of plastic. It is fixed to the engine with bolts and attached to the timing tensioner. |
| Current: 8708.99.81, 2.5%, which provides for “Parts and accessories of motor vehicles of heading 8701 to 8705: Other parts and accessories: Other: Other: Other: Other: Other.” |
| Proposed: 8409.91.50, 2.%, which provides for “Parts suitable for use solely or principally with the engines of heading 8407 or 8408: Other: Suitable for use solely or principally with spark-ignition internal combustion piston engines (including rotary engines): Other: Other.” |
| Reason: The tensioner arm assembly is an integral, constituent part of an engine of heading 8407. If the timing chain does not function properly, power cannot be transferred to the camshafts in the precise ratio that is required. |
| Proposed for revocation: N264869, dated June 1, 2015 |
| Proposed new ruling: HQ H316285 |