The tariff classification of telescopes packaged with laser collimators

N233499 October 19, 2012 CLA-2-90:OT:RR:NC:N4:414 CATEGORY: Classification TARIFF NOS.: 9005.80.4040; 9902.13.86 Ms. Laura Friend Hayneedle 9394 West Dodge Road Ste 300 Omaha, NE 68114 RE: The tariff classification of telescopes packaged with laser collimators Dear Ms. Friend: In your letter dated September 19, 2012 you requested a tariff classification ruling. The articles are the ZHUE023 Zhumell Z8 (Z8), the ZHUE024 Zhumell Z10 (Z10) and the ZHUE025 Zhumell Z12 (Z12) Dobsonian Reflector Telescopes. The telescopes are sold with a laser collimator, which is used to ensure rapid, accurate optical alignment of the telescope. You state that the telescope and the laser collimator are shipped in the same box. The Z8 telescope features an 8-inch aperture to capture light and has two included eyepieces, a 2-inch format 30mm eyepiece and a 1.25 inch format 9mm eyepiece, a Dobsonian stand and a laser collimator. The Z10 telescope features a 10-inch aperture, and has two included eyepieces, 32mm and 9mm, a Dobsonian stand and a laser collimator. The Z12 telescope features a 12-inch aperture and two included eyepieces, 32mm and 9mm, a Dobsonian stand and a laser collimator. Assuming that the telescope, the eyepieces and the laser collimator are, at the time of importation, packed together for retail sale, we would consider the Z8, Z10 and Z12 to be a set for tariff purposes. Noting General Rule of Interpretation 3 (b), of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States, (HTSUS), the essential character of each of the sets is imparted by the telescope. The applicable subheading for the ZHUE023 Zhumell Z8, ZHUE024 Zhumell Z10 and the ZHUE025 Zhumell Z12 Dobsonian Reflector Telescopes will be 9005.80.4040, HTSUS, which provides other instruments, optical telescopes, other. The rate of duty will be 8 percent ad valorem. Heading 9902, HTSUS, deals with a wide variety of goods that have temporary reductions in their rates of duty by virtue of legislative action. Subheading 9902.13.86, HTSUS, provides for refracting telescopes with 60 mm or smaller objective lenses and reflecting telescopes with 76 mm or smaller mirrors, and parts and accessories thereof (provided for in subheading 9005.80.40 or 9005.90.80). If the Z8, Z10 and Z12 telescopes meet the terms of this subheading, the telescopes would be classified under subheading 9902.13.86, HTSUS. The rate of duty is free. Please note that this temporary reduction in duty is set to expire on December 31, 2012. 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). For your information, questions regarding the FDA requirements for lasers may be addressed to the U. S. Food and Drug Administration, Division of Regulatory Guidance, 10903 New Hampshire Ave., Silver Springs, MD 20993-0002. 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 Barbara Kiefer at (646) 733-3019. Sincerely, Thomas J. Russo Director National Commodity Specialist Division