CLA-2-85:OT:RR:NC:N1:109
Mr. Bryan Aisenbrey
3M Company
3M Center
Building 225-4S-18
St. Paul, MN 55144-1000
RE: The tariff classification of Active Optical Cable assemblies from an unspecified country of origin
Dear Mr. Aisenbrey:
In your letter dated January 25, 2013, you requested a tariff classification ruling.
The item concerned is referred to as an Active Optical Cable assembly (AOC). This assembly is comprised of a fiber optic cable with transceivers on each end. The transceivers are optical/electrical converters that convert electrical signals into optical signals, transmit the optical signals along the length of the fiber optic cable, and then convert the optical signals back into electrical signals at the opposite end. The length of the cable can vary between 2 to 100 meters in length.
The types of transceivers incorporated on this assembly are known as quad (4 channel) small form factor pluggable transceivers (QSFP+). They are hot-pluggable transceivers used for both telecommunication and data communication applications. They are used to interface a network device to a fiber optic cable. The AOC assemblies provide high speed transmissions, using up to 100 meters of multimode fiber, for high performance computing and other ultra-high throughput networking environments. This AOC assembly transmits four parallel channels, each operating at 10 Gbps, and is designed to meet the FEF-8436 standard. AOC technology is used in high performance computing applications, network equipment clusters and data centers that require higher bandwidth and longer reach than a copper cable is capable of providing.
The applicable subheading for the Active Optical Cable assembly (AOC) will be 8517.62.0050, Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS), which provides for “Telephone sets…: Other apparatus for the transmission or reception of voice, images or other data …: Machines for the reception, conversion and transmission or regeneration of voice, images or other data, including switching and routing apparatus: Other.” 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 Steven Pollichino at (646) 733-3008.
Sincerely,
Thomas J. Russo
Director
National Commodity Specialist Division