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NY B81965




February 28, 1997

CLA-2-74:RR:NC:GI:115 B81965

CATEGORY: CLASSIFICATION

TARIFF NO.: 7419.99.5050; 6914.90.8000

Mr. David P. Sanders
LeBoeuf, Lamb, Greene & MacRae
1875 Connecticut Avenue, N.W.
Washington, DC 20009-5728

RE: The tariff classification of optical fiber adapters and receptacles from Japan.

Dear Mr. Sanders:

In your letter dated January 6, 1997, you requested a tariff classification ruling, on behalf of your client, Alcoa Fujikura, Ltd. Your submitted samples will be returned to you as requested.

The subject articles are described as follows:

1) Model No. C002499 -- is an "SC-ST adapter" used to connect industry standard "SC" optical fiber connectors to "ST" connectors, thereby facilitating the transmission of optical signals through independent optical fiber cables. The article is comprised of a plastic housing, two plastic dust protection caps, a stainless steel mounting clip, a plastic sleeve holder, and a phosphor bronze split sleeve. The end user inserts an SC type optical fiber connector into one side of the split sleeve and an ST type connector into the other. Each connector encases a ferrule, which in turn, encases an optical fiber. The adapter is designed to align these ferrules properly in the split sleeve and hold them in place. It is within the split sleeve where in-line transmission of optical signals between connectors occurs. The split sleeve constitutes a very high % of the total value of the articles' component materials.

2) Model No. C023450 -- is an "SC duplex adapter" used to connect two pairs of industry standard SC connectors. This article is comprised of a plastic housing, four plastic duct protection caps, a stainless steel mounting clip, two plastic sleeve holders, and two zirconium oxide split sleeves.

3) Model No. C042420 -- is a SC 4-way adapter and is identical in all respects to the SC duplex adapter (item 2) except that it is used to connect four pairs of industry standard SC type connectors, instead of two. The article is comprised of a plastic housing, eight plastic dust caps, two stainless steel mounting clips, four plastic sleeve holders, and four zirconium oxide split sleeves. The split sleeves constitute 84.3% of the total value, the housing 3.2%, the dust caps 4.2%, the sleeve holders 6.3%, and the clips 2%.

4) Model No. C042404 -- is a "SC 5-way adapter" and is identical to items 2 and 3 above except that it is designed to connect five pairs of industry standard SC type connectors. The article is comprised of a plastic housing, ten plastic dust caps, two stainless steel mounting clips, five plastic sleeve holders, and five zirconium oxide split sleeves. The split sleeves constitute 86.4% of the total value of the article's material, the dust caps 4%, the sleeve holders 3% and the mounting clips 1.5%.

5) Model No. C024554 -- is a "SC flat mount receptacle" and is used to connect industry standard SC connectors to active devices. The article is comprised of a nickel alloy zinc housing, a plastic dust protection cap, two nickel copper mounting screws, and a zirconium oxide split sleeve, a stainless steel sleeve holder, and a stainless steel sleeve spacer. The article itself is a mounting receptacle into which the end user attaches an SC connector and an active device such as a light emitting diode. The ferrule imbedded in the SC connector is inserted into one end of the split sleeve, while the active device is inserted into the other. The sleeve enables alignment of the optical signals so that the optical signals travelling through each of the connected devices' corresponding optical fibers can be transmitted between each other. The article is a passive unit in that it does not contain an optical element of any kind, and neither receives nor transmits the optical signal. The zirconium oxide sleeves constitute 26% of the total value of the article's material, the housing 12%, the dust cap 0.4%, the screws 0.1%, the plastic sleeve holder 1.8%, the stainless steel holder 55.6%, and the sleeve spacer 4.1%.

6) Model No. C024562 -- is a "SC flat mount duplex receptacle" and is identical in all respects to item 5 above except that it permits the connection of two industry standard SC connectors to two active devices. The article is comprised of a stainless steel housing, two plastic dust protection caps and two zirconium oxide split sleeves. The value percentages of this article are estimated to be that the zirconium oxide split sleeves will constitute the highest %.

Your items are considered to be composite goods, consisting of different materials or made up of different components. These items shall be classified as if they consisted of the material or component which gives them their essential character. In all instances, the split sleeve imparts the essential character.

The applicable subheading for item 1 will be 7419.99.5050, Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTS), which provides for other articles of copper: other: other. The duty rate will be 2% ad valorem.

The applicable subheading for items 2-6 will be 6914.90.8000, HTS, which provides for other ceramic articles of zirconia. The duty rate will be 6.6% ad valorem.

Consideration was given to classifying items 2-6 under subheading 6914.90.4000, HTS, as you have suggested. However, these items were deemed not to be ferrules.

This ruling is being issued under the provisions of Part 177 of the Customs Regulations (19 C.F.R. 177).

A copy of this ruling or the control number indicated above should be provided with the entry documents filed at the time this merchandise is imported. If you have any questions regarding the ruling, contact National Import Specialist Melvyn Birnbaum at 212-466-5487.

Sincerely,

Robert B. Swierupski
Chief, Metals & Machinery Branch

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