Demarche on Customs Classifications

UNCLAS ANKARA 007981 SIPDIS STATE FOR EB/TPP/MTA/MST - SMEHRA CUSTOMS FOR RCHOVANEC, MHARMON E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: ETRD ECON TU SUBJECT: Demarche on Customs Classifications REF: (A) State 213033 (B) State 213064 (C) State 213067 Econoff met with Nilgun Altindag, Director General for Customs, and Ahmet Ilguz, Customs Expert, on November 7 to deliver the U.S. position on customs classification of Eggo Waffles, the Avid Media Composer 1000, and Multifunctional Digital Machines (reftels) to be discussed at the upcoming Harmonized System Committee. Ilguz responded that he agreed with the U.S. positions on the Avid Media Composer and Multifunctional Digital Machines, but that, as a candidate country, Turkey would coordinate its position with that of the EU. Customs said that it disagreed with our position on Eggo Waffles, as they do not meet the water content criteria in the Explanatory Notes. Given the complete absence of Turkish waffle production, Customs told us that Turkey does not have a strong view on this issue and was open to classifying Eggo Waffles as waffles if the Explanatory Notes are amended. Pearson