CLA-2-90:S:N:Nl:Cl5 888654
Mr. Arne Midtskog
Midtskog & Associates
17221 N.E. 152nd Street
Woodinville, Washington 98072
RE: The tariff classification of an Opticall Fiber Optic Talk Set from the United Kingdom
Dear Mr. Midtskog:
In your letter of July 19, 1993, on behalf of Chesilvale
Electronics Ltd. Corp., you requested a tariff classification
ruling.
The Opticall Fiber Optic Talk Set is used exclusively on
disconnected or "dark" (dead) fiber. It provides an
intercommunication facility between two distant sites by
transmitting and decoding digital light signals sent along the
fiber. Additionally it provides two test features:
(I) A stabilized light source (constant level light output)
for optical fiber-optic loss measurement at the remote end;
(ii) A special marker tone for fiber-optic identification at
the distant end.
The product is used by telecommunications technicians for
communications and testing of fiber-optics. Opticall includes a
stabilized light source. This is the light equivalent of a
constant level tone. If the light level is constant, it is
possible to measure the light level (with a light level meter) at
the source and then measure it again at the far end of the fiber.
The difference is the optical loss of the fiber. This is an
industry standard technique. As described in the submitted
brochure, it is a portable, easy-to-use test telephone similar in
application to the "butt-in".
The applicable subheading for the Opticall Fiber Optic Talk
Set will be 9031.40.0080, Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the
United States (HTS), which provides for measuring or checking
instruments, appliances and machines, not specified or included
elsewhere in this chapter; other optical instruments and
appliances, other. The rate of duty will be 10 percent ad
valorem.
This ruling is being issued under the provisions of Section
177 of the Customs Regulations (19 C.F.R. 177).
A copy of this ruling should be attached to the entry
documents filed at the time this merchandise is imported. If the
documents have been filed without a copy, this ruling should be
brought to the attention of the Customs officer handling the
transaction.
Sincerely,
Richard G. McMullen
District Director,
Buffalo, N.Y.