CLA-2-85:OT:RR:NC:N2:209
Carl W. Mertz
TP-Link USA Corp
145 South State College Blvd, Suite 400
Brea, CA 92821
RE: The tariff classification of network expansion devices from China
Dear Mr. Mertz:
In your letter dated October 1, 2018, you requested a tariff classification ruling.
The items concerned are referred to as “Network Expansion, Powerline Adapters” (Models: AV600 Powerline Starter Kit - TL-PA4010 KIT, AV2000 2-port Gigabit Passthrough Powerline Starter Kit - TL-PA9020P KIT, AV1000 Gigabit Powerline ac Wi-Fi Kit - TL-WPA7510 KIT).
The items concerned consist of two units, a base unit and a remote unit. The base unit connects to a user’s router via an Ethernet cable. Then the unit is plugged into a household electrical outlet. The remote unit connects to a user’s end use device and is plugged into a different household electrical outlet. The home’s internal power lines are used to carry the signal and expand the network coverage. Additional adapters can be added to create a greater expanded network. Remote units will connect to end use devices such as televisions, tablets and computers via wired or wireless communication.
The applicable subheading for the “Network Expansion, Powerline Adapters” (Models: AV600 Powerline Starter Kit - TL-PA4010 KIT, AV2000 2-port Gigabit Passthrough Powerline Starter Kit - TL-PA9020P KIT, AV1000 Gigabit Powerline ac Wi-Fi Kit - TL-WPA7510 KIT) will be 8517.62.0020, 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…: Other apparatus for transmission or reception…: Machines for the reception, conversion, and transmission or regeneration of voice, images or other data, including switching and routing apparatus: Switching and routing apparatus.” The general rate of duty will be Free.
Effective July 6, 2018, the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) imposed an additional tariff on certain products of China classified in the subheadings enumerated in Section XXII, Chapter 99, Subchapter III U.S. Note 20(b), HTSUS. The USTR imposed additional tariffs, effective August 23, 2018, on products classified under the subheadings enumerated in Section XXII, Chapter 99, Subchapter III U.S. Note 20(d), HTSUS. Subsequently, the USTR imposed further tariffs, effective September 24, 2018, on products classified under the subheadings enumerated in Section XXII, Chapter 99, Subchapter III U.S. Note 20(f) and U.S. Note 20(g), HTSUS. For additional information, please see the relevant Federal Register notices dated June 20, 2018 (83 F.R. 28710), August 16, 2018 (83 F.R. 40823), and September 21, 2018 (83 F.R. 47974). Products of China that are provided for in subheading 9903.88.01, 9903.88.02, 9903.88.03, or 9903.88.04 and classified in one of the subheadings enumerated in U.S. Note 20(b), U.S. Note 20(d), U.S. Note 20(f) or U.S. Note 20(g) to subchapter III shall continue to be subject to antidumping, countervailing, or other duties, fees and charges that apply to such products, as well as to those imposed by the aforementioned Chapter 99 subheadings.
Products of China classified under subheading 8517.62.00, HTSUS, unless specifically excluded, are subject to the additional 10 percent ad valorem rate of duty. At the time of importation, you must report the Chapter 99 subheading, i.e., 9903.88.04, in addition to subheading 8517.62.0020, HTSUS, listed above.
The tariff is subject to periodic amendment so you should exercise reasonable care in monitoring the status of goods covered by the Notice cited above and the applicable Chapter 99 subheading.
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 the World Wide Web at https://hts.usitc.gov/current.
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 [email protected].
Sincerely,
Steven A. Mack
Director
National Commodity Specialist Division