HQ 089949

October 11, 1991

CLA-2 CO:R:C:T 089949 JS

CATEGORY: Classification

TARIFF NO.: 4202.32.1000

Michelle Dudney

Emery Customs Brokers

1327 Ashton Road

Suite 202

Hanover, MD 21076

RE: Change purse, cigarette case, cosmetic case; classifiable

heading 4202, HTSUSA

Dear Ms. Dudney:

This is in reference to your letter of June 19, 1991, on

behalf of Nordic Import & Export Company, requesting

classification of a flatgood set under the Harmonized Tariff

Schedule of the United States Annotated (HTSUSA).

FACTS:

The merchandise at issue is a flatgood set consisting of a

change purse, cigarette case and cosmetic case. The outer

surface of each item is wholly of 100 percent polyvinyl choride

with a woven nylon fabric backing. The clasp frame of each piece

is made of giltplated iron, and the change purse has a key ring

attached to one end of the clasp. The importer states that these

goods are intended to be carried on the person, presumably in a

handbag.

ISSUE:

What is the classification of matching items intended for

the carrying of various items in a handbag.

LAW AND ANALYSIS:

Classification of merchandise under the HTSUSA is governed

by the General Rules of Interpretation (GRI), taken in order.

GRI 1 provides classification shall be determined according to

the terms of the headings and any relative section or chapter

notes and, unless otherwise required, according to the remaining

GRI.

2

Heading 4202 encompasses all travel goods, handbags and

similar containers. Subheading 4202.32, in particular, provides

for articles carried in the pocket or handbag, with outer surface

of plastic sheeting. Moreover, the Explanatory Notes, the

official interpretation of the tariff at the international

level, state that this subheading covers articles of a kind

normally carried in the pocket or in the handbag and include

spectacle cases, note-cases (bill-folds), wallets, purses, key-

cases, cigarette-cases, cigar-cases, pipe-cases and tobacco

pouches.

The containers in question are similar to the articles

specified in the second part of heading 4202, i.e., toiletry

bags, purses, and cigarette cases, and are wholly or mainly

covered with plastic sheeting. The EN for 4202.32 indicates this

subheading applies to articles of a kind normally carried in the

pocket or in the handbag. Therefore, the change purse, cigarette

case and cosmetic case at issue are properly classified within

heading 4202, HTSUSA.

HOLDING:

The present merchandise is classified under subheading

4202.32.1000, which provides for traveling bags, toiletry bags,

knapsacks and backpacks, handbags, shopping bags, wallets,

purses, map cases, cigarette cases, tobacco pouches, tool bags,

sports bags, bottle cases, jewelry boxes, powder cases, cutlery

cases and similar containers, of leather or of composition

leather, of plastic sheeting, of textile materials, of vulcanized

fiber or of paperboard, or wholly or mainly covered with such

materials: articles of a kind normally carried in the pocket or

in the handbag: with outer surface of plastic sheeting or of

textile materials: of reinforced or laminated plastics, dutiable

at the rate of 12.1 cents per kilogram and 4.6 percent ad

valorem.

Due to the changeable nature of the statistical annotation

(the ninth and tenth digits of the classification) and the

restraint (quota/visa) categories, your client should contact

its local Customs office prior to importation of this merchandise

to determine the current status of any import restraints or

requirements.

Sincerely,

John Durant, Director

Commercial Rulings Division