CLA-2-85:OT:RR:E:NC:N1:109
Mr. Rudy Antonio Pina
President
R.A. Pina & Associates, Inc.
P.O. Box 2496
545 N. Grand Ave., Suite #6
Nogales, AZ 85628
RE: The tariff classification of cellular phone antennas from Mexico
Dear Mr. Pina:
In your letter dated May 19, 2009 you requested a tariff classification ruling on behalf of your client, Ampheonol-Optimize, Inc.
The merchandise subject to this ruling is cellular phone antennas. The antennas work on a frequency between 896 MHz and 2,170 MHz. The function of the antennas is to receive an electromagnetic voice signal from a cellular phone, clean it from any noise or distortion, and then retransmit the signal to another cellular phone.
You suggested that the classification of the cellular phone antennas should be subheading 8525.60.10 of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS). Subheading 8525.60.10 provides for “Transmission apparatus for radio-broadcasting or television, whether or not incorporating reception apparatus or sound recording or reproducing apparatus...Transmission apparatus incorporating reception apparatus: Transceivers.” However, the cellular phone antennas are not transmission apparatus for radio-broadcasting or television. Rather, the cellular phone antennas are transmission and reception apparatus for telecommunications classifiable within heading 8517. As such, subheading 8525.60.10 is inapplicable.
The applicable subheading for the cellular phone antennas will be 8517.70.0000, Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS), which provides for “Other apparatus for transmission or reception of voice, images or other data, including apparatus for communication in a wired or wireless network (such as local or wide area network), other than transmission or reception apparatus of heading 8443, 8525, 8527, or 8528; parts thereof: Parts.” The general rate of duty will be free.
Duty rates are provided for your convenience and are subject to change. The text of the most recent HTSUS and the accompanying duty rates are provided on World Wide Web at http://www.usitc.gov/tata/hts/.
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
National Commodity Specialist Division