CLA-2-85:OT:RR:NC:N1:112
John M. Strough
Customs and Trade Compliance Specialist
Mohawk Global Logistics Inc.
123 Air Cargo Road
North Syracuse, NY 13607
RE: The tariff classification of hybrid telecommunications cable from China
Dear Mr. Strough:
In your letter dated September 4, 2014, you requested a tariff classification ruling on behalf of your client, Remee Products Corporation.
The merchandise in question is known as Composite Video with Power Pair cable (Part # R001535R). This item is a hybrid cable that contains two 20AWG solid bare copper conductors in a common jacket. Each conductor is separately sheathed with cellular polyethylene dielectric material, Polyolefin insulation, and a copper braided shield. The maximum voltage capacity of the cable is 24 volts. The cable is specifically used in video cameras applications that require both a video cable and a power cable. In its imported condition, the cable will be wound in 1,000 ft. spools and will not have connectors.
You have proposed classification of this cable within subheading 8544.49.1000, Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS), which provides for “Insulated wire…: Other electric conductors, for a voltage not exceeding 1,000 V: Other: For a voltage not exceeding 80 V: Of a kind used for telecommunications”. You cite ruling N138199 in support of your proposal. Ruling N138199 pertained to a hybrid telecommunications cable able that was constructed of four twisted pair conductors and two additional power supplying conductors. The hybrid telecommunications cable utilized two of the twisted pair conductors to provide Ethernet video data, two twisted pair conductors were used to send and receive control data for axis positioning of a manufacturing robot, and the remaining two supplied the necessary power to the Ethernet cameras.
The cable described in N138199 was a different configuration than the Composite Video with Power Pair cable (Part # R001535R) as your cable consists of two coaxial cables in a common sheathe. Coaxial cables and other coaxial conductors are classified within their own separate, specific subheading which appears, numerically, before subheading 8544.49.1000, HTSUS. As such, the subheading for coaxial cable would take precedence over the proposed classification.
The applicable subheading for the Composite Video with Power Pair cable (Part # R001535R) will be 8544.20.0000, HTSUS, which provides for “Insulated wire, cable…: Coaxial cable and other coaxial electric conductors.” The rate of duty will be 5.3%.
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 Karl Moosbrugger at [email protected].
Sincerely,
Gwenn Klein Kirschner
Director
National Commodity Specialist Division