NY 863134: The tariff classification of a set of fire safety badge/pinsfrom the Soviet Union.

Native CBP ruling rendition. Applicability is fact-specific; modification/revocation relationships and original publisher date are retained. Publisher sentinel year0001 means unknown date, not a historical legal adoption.

                          
                                  NY 863134 

                                 May 22, 1991 
                                    


CLA-2-:71:S:N:N3G:344  863134   

CATEGORY:  Classification

TARIFF NO.: 7117.19.5000

Mr. David C. Hutchinson
Fire Safety International
100 Smith Ranch Road  Suite 301
San Rafael, Ca 94903

RE:  The tariff classification of a set of fire safety badge/pins
from the Soviet Union.

Dear Mr. Hutchinson:

     In your letter of April 22, 1991, you requested a tariff
classification ruling on certain fire safety badge/pins from the
Soviet Union.
      
     Your customs broker sent us a sample to examine. The sample
is a set of four small brooches or pins made of aluminum with
embossed designs produced by stamping and colored by hand-
painting. The pins are mounted on a paperboard and are packaged
in a flat plastic case that measures 6" x 2 1/4" x 1/2". The case
is printed in Russian  "Fire Badges--Russian Collection."  

     A paper insert within the plastic case provides a
translation and general information about the pins. This set of
fire pins--a pin with white helmet, a star pin with engine, a
shield pin with flame in star and pin with firefighter--was
selected to represent various organizations in the fire
protection community of the Russian Republic. The pins are
reproductions of fire service pins that were produced in the
years 1984 through 1987.

     The Explanatory Notes provide the official interpretation of the
tariff at the international level. The Explanatory Notes to heading
9705, Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTS), state:

	  Goods produced as a commercial undertaking to
          commemorate, celebrate, illustrate or depict an
          event or any other matter, whether or not
          production is limited in quantity or circulation,
          do not fall in this heading as collections or
	  collectors' pieces of historical or numismatic
          interest unless the goods themselves have
          subsequently attained that interest by reason of
          their age or rarity.

     The applicable subheading for the fire safety pins will be
7117.19.5000, HTS, which provides for imitation jewelry: of base metal,
whether or not plated with precious metal: other: other.  The rate of
duty will be 110% ad valorem.

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

     A copy of this ruling letter should be attached to the entry
documents filed at the time this merchandise is imported.  If the
documents have been filed without a copy, this ruling should be brought
to the attention of the Customs officer handling the transaction.

                                        Sincerely,

                                   
  
                                        Jean F. Maguire
                                        Area Director
                                        New York Seaport