U.S. Customs and Border Protection June 12, 2009 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

On August 4, 2006, a domestic manufacturer of glass preforms for optical fibers (``optical glass preforms'') filed a domestic interested party petition in accordance with the procedures of section 516 of the Tariff Act of 1930, as amended, and 19 CFR Part 175 regarding the tariff classification of imported optical glass preforms. The petition challenged CBP's classification of optical glass preforms under subheading 7002.20.10, Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS), and requested CBP to reclassify all optical glass preforms under subheading 7020.00.60, HTSUS, as other articles of glass, or, alternatively, under 9001.10.00, HTSUS, as unfinished optical fibers. On July 14, 2008, Customs and Border Protection (CBP) denied the petition and affirmed its decision that optical glass preforms are classified in subheading 7002.20.10, HTSUS, as glass rods of fused quartz or other fused silica, unworked. In accordance with 19 CFR 175.23 and 175.24, CBP is providing notice of its classification decision and is also giving notice of the receipt of petitioner's desire to contest this decision in court.