**HQ** 963189

NOVEMBER 19, 1999

**CLA-2 RR:CR:GC** 963189 JAS

**CATEGORY:** Classification

**TARIFF NO.:** 8424.90.90

Kenneth G. Weigel, Esq.

Kirkland & Ellis

655 Fifteenth Street, N.W.

Washington, D.C. 20005

**RE**: [HQ]{.underline} 956900 Modified; Plastic Front Nozzle, Rear
Tank, and Rear Nozzle Assemblies

Dear Mr. Weigel:

This is in reference to [HQ]{.underline} 956900, issued on July 10,
1995, in connection with protest 4115-94-100005, which you filed on
behalf of Jideco of Bardstown, Inc., against a decision of the Port
Director, Cleveland. Among other things, the protest contested the
classification under the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States
(HTSUS), of plastic front and rear nozzle assemblies and rear tanks for
cleaning the windshields of motor vehicles. The ruling classified the
merchandise in subheading 8708.99.50, HTSUS, as other parts and
accessories of motor vehicles. We have reconsidered the classification
of this merchandise and determined that it is incorrect.

Pursuant to section 625(c), Tariff Act of 1930 (19 U.S.C. 1625(c)), as
amended by section 623 of Title VI (Customs Modernization) of the North
American Free Trade Agreement Implementation Act, Pub. L. 103-182, 107
Stat. 2057, 2186 (1993), notice of the proposed modification of
[HQ]{.underline} 956900 was published on October 13, 1999, in the
[Customs Bulletin]{.underline}, Volume 33, Number 41. No comments were
received in response to that notice.

\- 2 -

**FACTS**:

As described in [HQ]{.underline} 956900, the front and rear nozzle
assemblies are plastic articles that act as diffusers in a window washer
system for motor vehicles when washer fluid is applied to the front and
rear windows of the vehicle. The rear tank assembly, also of plastic,
provides washer fluid to the rear of the vehicle. When the washer system
is activated, the fluid is conveyed from the tank, through the system,
onto the windows.

The HTSUS provisions under consideration are as follows:

**8424** Mechanical appliances for projecting, dispersing or spraying
liquids or powders\...; parts thereof:

**8424.90** Parts:

**8424.90.90** Other

**\* \* \* \***

**8708** Parts and accessories for the motor vehicles of headings 8701
to 8705:

Other parts and accessories of bodies:

**8708.29** Other:

**8708.29.50** Other

Other parts and accessories:

**8708.99** Other:

**8708.99.80** Other

**ISSUE**:

Whether the front and rear nozzle assemblies, and the rear tank
assembly, all of plastic, are parts of mechanical spraying appliances.

\- 3 -

**LAW AND ANALYSIS**:

Under General Rule of Interpretation (GRI) 1, Harmonized Tariff Schedule
of the United States (HTSUS), goods are to be classified according to
the terms of the headings and any relative section or chapter notes, and
provided the headings or notes do not require otherwise, according to
GRIs 2 through 6.

The Harmonized Commodity Description and Coding System Explanatory Notes
(ENs) constitute the official interpretation of the Harmonized System.
Though not dispositive, the ENs provide a commentary on the scope of
each heading of the Harmonized System and Customs believes the ENs
should always be consulted. *See* T.D. 89-80. 54 Fed. Reg. 35127, 35128
(Aug. 23, 1989).

On protest, a claim was made under subheading 8512.90.90, HTSUS, as
parts of windshield wipers, defrosters and demisters and, alternatively,
under subheading 8708.99.50, HTSUS, as other parts and accessories of
the motor vehicles of headings 8701 to 8705. [HQ]{.underline} 956900
rejected the first claim because the articles at issue were neither
parts of wiper blades nor parts of motors. However, the claim under
subheading 8708.99.50 was sustained. As such, potential classification
as other articles of plastics, in Chapter 39, was precluded.

Section XVI, Note 1(l), HTSUS, excludes articles of Section XVII.
However, Section XVII, Note 2(e), HTSUS, excludes from the expressions
"[parts]{.underline}" and "[parts and accessories]{.underline}" machines
or apparatus of headings 8401 to 8479, or parts thereof. Therefore, if
the front and rear nozzle assemblies and the rear tank assembly are
parts of a mechanical spraying appliance of heading 8424, they cannot be
classified in heading 8708.

Section XVI, Note 2, HTSUS, is the authority under which Customs
classifies goods that are identifiable parts of machines or apparatus of
Chapters 84 and 85. Parts which are goods included in any heading of
Chapter 84 or Chapter 85 are in all cases classified in their respective
headings. [See]{.underline} Note 2(a). Parts suitable for use solely or
principally with a particular kind of machine, or with a number of
machines of the same heading, are classifiable with the machines with
which they are solely or principally used. [See]{.underline} Note 2(b).

\- 4 -

As to the applicability of heading 8424, the ENs on p. 1289, state, in
relevant part, the heading includes parts for the appliances and
machines of heading 8424. Parts falling in this heading thus include,
*inter alia*, reservoirs for sprayers, spray nozzles, lances and
turbulent sprayer heads not of a kind described in heading 84.81. Thus,
the front and rear nozzles and the rear tank assembly, being integral,
constituent and component parts necessary to the completion of
mechanical spraying appliances of heading 8424, and being solely or
principally used with such appliances, are classifiable in heading 8424,
in

accordance with Section XVI, Note 2(b). This eliminates heading 8708
from consideration. Nozzles similar or substantially similar to the ones
at issue here are strainer/check valve combinations. The strainer
component prevents larger objects from clogging the system while the
valve keeps washer fluids from draining back into the tank. While an
examination of the heading 84.81 ENs on pp. 1430-1432 indicates that
taps, cocks and valves of heading 8481 remain in that heading even if
incorporating other accessory features, the ENs do not indicate that
combination strainers/check valves are intended to be included in that
heading.

**HOLDING**:

Under the authority of GRI 1 and Section XVI, Note 2(b), HTSUS, the
plastic front and rear nozzles and the plastic rear tank assembly are
provided for in heading 8424. They are classifiable in subheading
8424.90.90, HTSUS.

**EFFECT ON OTHER RULINGS**:

[HQ]{.underline} 956900, dated July 10, 1995, is modified accordingly.
In accordance with 19 U.S.C. 1625(c), this ruling will become effective
60 days after its publication in the [Customs Bulletin]{.underline}.

The liquidation or reliquidation of the entry or entries the subject of
protest 4115-94-100005 will not be affected by this action.

Sincerely,

John Durant, Director

Commercial Rulings Division