Bridge Rectifier Diodes
Issued April 11, 1990 by U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
Tariff classification
HTS codes: 8504.40.00
Headings: 8504
Product description
The merchandise consists of the General Instrument series KBPC6 Bridge Rectifier Diodes (BRD's). BRD's are comprised of four discrete rectifier diodes connected into a bridge configuration, some with mountings, housings and integral cooling attachments. The articles have four terminals and an asymmetrical voltage-current characteristic used for the purpose of rectification. All the series KBPC6 BRD's are used for the function of converting alternating current to direct current.
CBP rationale
HQ Ruling 085540 (December 18, 1989) determined that BRD's were classified as static converters in Heading 8504. The -2- importer's request for reconsideration suggests that if the BRD's do not meet the Heading 8541 description for "diodes", then they should be classified in Heading 8541 as "similar semiconductor devices". The BRD's under consideration are not classifiable as Heading 8541 "similar semiconductor devices". The Explanatory Notes to Heading 8541 provide that "similar semiconductor devices" include thyristors, triacs, diacs, varactors, field effect devices and Gunn effect devices. This list is illustrative and the "similar semiconductor devices" listed appear to be discrete devices and are not assemblies of devices designed to perform a principal function which is specifically described by another heading of the HTSUSA. A BRD's individual diodes, if classified separately, might meet the Chapter 85 Note 5(A) definition for diodes and be classified in Heading 8541; however, BRD assemblies are articles designed to perform a principal function of rectifying alternating current to direct current, a function specifically described by another Heading of the HTSUSA, and do not fall in Heading 8541. The BRD's under consideration are described by Heading 8504 as static converters. The Explanatory Notes to Heading 8504, p. 1338, provide that static converters are apparatus used to convert electrical energy in order to adapt it for further use. An assembly of diodes in a bridge configuration with four terminals for the specific use of rectification is an apparatus described as an electrical static converter. The BRD's are less sophisticated than other converters described in the Explanatory Notes to Heading 8504 in that they do not incorporate transformers, induction coils, etc.; nevertheless, they are described by Heading 8504 and fall in subheading 8504.40.00, HTSUSA.
Full text
HQ 086223 April 11, 1990 CLA-2 CO:R:C:G 086223 CATEGORY: Classification TARIFF NO.: 8504.40.00 Mr. Robert Blanc, Esq. Associate General Counsel Director Of Customs General Instrument Corporation 125 Chubb Ave., P.O. Box 617 Lyndhurst, NJ 07071-0617 RE: Bridge Rectifier Diodes Dear Mr. Blanc, This responds to your correspondence dated December 22, 1989 in which you requested reconsideration of HQ Ruling 085540 (December 18, 1989). HQ Ruling 085540 determined the classification of certain bridge rectifier diodes. Our ruling follows. FACTS: The merchandise consists of the General Instrument series KBPC6 Bridge Rectifier Diodes (BRD's). BRD's are comprised of four discrete rectifier diodes connected into a bridge configuration, some with mountings, housings and integral cooling attachments. The articles have four terminals and an asymmetrical voltage-current characteristic used for the purpose of rectification. All the series KBPC6 BRD's are used for the function of converting alternating current to direct current. ISSUE: Are the BRD's classified as Heading 8541 "similar semiconductor devices", or as Heading 8504 static converters? LAW AND ANALYSIS: HQ Ruling 085540 (December 18, 1989) determined that BRD's were classified as static converters in Heading 8504. The -2- importer's request for reconsideration suggests that if the BRD's do not meet the Heading 8541 description for "diodes", then they should be classified in Heading 8541 as "similar semiconductor devices". The BRD's under consideration are not classifiable as Heading 8541 "similar semiconductor devices". The Explanatory Notes to Heading 8541 provide that "similar semiconductor devices" include thyristors, triacs, diacs, varactors, field effect devices and Gunn effect devices. This list is illustrative and the "similar semiconductor devices" listed appear to be discrete devices and are not assemblies of devices designed to perform a principal function which is specifically described by another heading of the HTSUSA. A BRD's individual diodes, if classified separately, might meet the Chapter 85 Note 5(A) definition for diodes and be classified in Heading 8541; however, BRD assemblies are articles designed to perform a principal function of rectifying alternating current to direct current, a function specifically described by another Heading of the HTSUSA, and do not fall in Heading 8541. The BRD's under consideration are described by Heading 8504 as static converters. The Explanatory Notes to Heading 8504, p. 1338, provide that static converters are apparatus used to convert electrical energy in order to adapt it for further use. An assembly of diodes in a bridge configuration with four terminals for the specific use of rectification is an apparatus described as an electrical static converter. The BRD's are less sophisticated than other converters described in the Explanatory Notes to Heading 8504 in that they do not incorporate transformers, induction coils, etc.; nevertheless, they are described by Heading 8504 and fall in subheading 8504.40.00, HTSUSA. HOLDING: HQ Ruling 085540 (December 18, 1989) correctly determined that the General Instrument series KBPC6 Bridge Rectifier Diodes are classified in subheading 8504.40.00 and is affirmed. Sincerely, Jerry Laderberg Acting Director Commercial Rulings Division
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