NY 864787: The tariff classification of a capsule production machine from Belgium.

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 864787

                                   JUL 24, 1991


CLA-2-84:S:N:N1:105 864787  

CATEGORY:  Classification

TARIFF NO.: 8419.39.0080  

Mr. Thomas Czubak
Warner-Lambert Company
201 Tabor Road
Morris Plains, NJ 07950

RE:  The tariff classification of a capsule production machine   
  from Belgium.

Dear Mr. Czubak:

     In your letter dated June 24, 1991 you requested a tariff
classification ruling.         

     The Hard Gelatin Capsule Machine (HGCM) produces empty hard
gelatin capsules that are later filled with medicine.  The
production process involves dipping greased mold bars into melted
gelatin, drying the gelatin in a succession of kilns, cooling,
stripping, cutting and joining the capsule halves.  

     Drying is the longest part of the operation, taking up 80
percent of manufacturing process time.  It takes place in six
different kilns and is electronically controlled to insure that
proper proportions of humidity are removed at critical intervals
in the process, since too rapid removal results in wrinkles and
too slow in dimensional problems.

     The complete HGCM production line imported in a single
shipment constitutes a functional unit whose principal purpose is
drying. The appli- cable subheading for this functional unit will
be 8419.39.0080, Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States
(HTS), which provides for  machinery . . . whether or not
electrically heated, for the treatment of materials by a process
involving a change of temperature such as heating, cooking . . .
drying, vaporizing, condensing or cooling: dryers, other.  The
rate of duty will be 4.2 percent 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