Background

In the Aug. 9, 2023, Customs Bulletin and Decisions, U.S. Customs and Border Protection reclassified anchovy oil as animal fats and oils under HTSUS 1516.10.0000 (7 cents/kg duty) rather than as vegetable fats and oils under HTSUS 1516.20.9000 (8.8 cents/kg duty).

The subject merchandise is oils derived from anchovy that are imported in steel drums with a net weight of 190 kg. This product will undergo refining, deacidification, esterification, washing, molecular distillation, reesterification, winterization, deodorization, decoloration and, the addition of an antioxidant (tocopherols).

CBP explains that anchovies are animals and that there was thus an “error of classification” in classifying anchovy oils as vegetable oils.

Ruling HQ H329655 will revoke ruling NY N311042 to reflect this change, effective with respect to goods entered or withdrawn from warehouse for consumption on or after Oct. 8.

For more information on how to seek or utilize classification and other rulings, please contact attorney Deb Stern at (305) 894-1007 or via email.

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