CLA-2-84:R:N1:110 815407
Mr. David R. Grace
Covington & Burling
1201 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W.
P.O. Box 7566
Washington, D.C. 20044-7566
RE: The tariff classification of an ink jet printer from Japan
or Thailand.
Dear Mr. Grace:
In your letter dated September 29, 1995, on behalf of Canon
Computer Systems, Inc., ("CCSI") you requested a tariff
classification ruling.
The merchandise under consideration involves a Canon BJC-210
Color Bubble Jet Printer that is imported without a print head
unit.
The BJC-210 Color Bubble Jet Printer is designed for use as
a computer output unit, and is capable of printing in black and
white or color. Two different cartridges may be installed in the
BJC-210; the BC-05 Color BJ Cartridge (standard), or the BC-02
Black BJ Cartridge (optional). The BC-05 Color BJ Cartridge is
specifically designed for use with the BJC-210 Bubble Jet Color
Printer.
Both cartridges utilize the same technology. Each nozzle on
the print head units contains a heater. When the heater is
turned on, ink is vaporized forming an air bubble. As the bubble
expands, ink is expelled out of the open end of the chamber.
Upon striking the print media, the expelled ink forms a
contrasting dot. The selective printing of dots results in the
final image. Without a print head unit, no printing can be
performed.
CCSI will import the printers in a partially assembled
format. Specifically, the print head units will not be installed
in the machines at the time of importation. The printers and ink
cartridges (which contain the print head units) will be shipped
separately. Noting Legal Note 5 (B) to Chapter 84 of the HTS,
this printer would meet the definition of a "unit" of an ADP
system. Without the print head unit and ink cartridge, this
printer would represent a printer that is without its print
mechanism.
The applicable subheading for the Canon BJC-210 Color Bubble
Jet Printer when it is imported without a print head unit (print
mechanism) will be 8471.92.6200, Harmonized Tariff Schedule of
the United States (HTS), which provides for other ink jet
printers. The rate of duty will be free.
This ruling is being issued under the provisions of Section
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 Art
Brodbeck at 212-466-5490.
Sincerely,
Roger J. Silvestri
Director
National Commodity
Specialist Division