United States International Trade Commision Rulings And Harmonized Tariff Schedule
faqs.org  Rulings By Number  Rulings By Category  Tariff Numbers
faqs.org > Rulings and Tariffs Home > Rulings By Number > 2006 NY Rulings > NY L88770 - NY L89007 > NY L89000

Previous Ruling Next Ruling
NY L89000





December 19, 2005

CLA-2-85:RR:NC:MM:109 L89000

CATEGORY: CLASSIFICATION

TARIFF NO.: 8518.22.0000

Mr. Josh Rosenfield
JLab Audio, Inc.
P.O. Box 43692
Tucson, AZ 85733

RE: The tariff classification of a B-Flex from China

Dear Mr. Rosenfield:

In your letter dated November 14, 2005, you requested a tariff classification ruling.

The merchandise subject to this ruling is referred to in your letter as a B-Flex. It consists of a USB connector, flexible support structure, housing, digital processing circuitry, and two micro loudspeakers. The two micro loudspeakers are mounted within the same enclosure. The B-Flex connects to desktop and laptop computers via the USB connector, from which the device receives power and digital data through four transmission pathways (wires) running from the USB connector through the flexible support structure to the digital processing circuitry. The device’s function is to process the digital data rendering an output of sound.

You suggested Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS) subheadings 8471.60.90, 8471.50.00, and 8471.49.85 Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTS), which provides for “Input or output units of automatic data processing (ADP) machines, digital processing units of ADP machines, and units for physical incorporation into ADP machines.” However, the B-Flex is not physically incorporated into an ADP machine, but rather it is an external device. Further, neither is it an input or output unit of an ADP machine, nor is it a digital unit of an ADP machine because you state in your letter, “Its only function is as a digital processing unit, in this case for processing digital data into sound. That is one of the functions of a loudspeaker. As such, this office has determined that the B-Flex is a multiple loudspeaker that plugs into a USB port of a desktop and/or laptop computer, from which it gets its source of power. Loudspeakers are provided for under subheading 8518.21.00 and 8518.22.00. The B-Flex contains two loudspeakers within the same enclosure. Therefore, the most appropriate tariff number is 8518.22.00, which provides for “Multiple loudspeakers, mounted within the same enclosure.”

The applicable subheading for the B-Flex will be 8518.22.0000, Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTS), which provides for “Multiple loudspeakers, mounted in the same enclosure.” The rate of duty will be 4.9 percent ad valorem.

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

A copy of the 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 Linda M. Hackett at 646-733-3015.

Sincerely,

Robert B. Swierupski
Director,

Previous Ruling Next Ruling

See also: