The tariff classification of Palm touchstone charger kit (System) from China

N061981 June 2, 2009 CLA-2-85:OT:RR:NC:N1:109 CATEGORY: Classification TARIFF NO.: 8504.40.8500 Ms. Laura Lyons Trade & Compliance Manager Palm, Inc. 950 W. Maude Avenue Sunnyvale, CA 94085 RE: The tariff classification of Palm touchstone charger kit (System) from China Dear Ms. Lyons: In your letter dated May 21, 2009 you requested a tariff classification ruling. The merchandise subject to this ruling is a Palm touchstone charger kit (system). The Palm touchstone charger is custom-designed wireless charger that will be used in conjunction with Palm, Inc.’s new Smartphone product called “Pre”, due to be launched in the near future. The process of magnetic induction is used to allow the Pre Smartphone battery to be charged wirelessly, free of the use of typically wired chargers, which are powered by alternating current (AC). The Palm touchstone charger will be imported in a package along with a special metallic cover. If the user wishes to use the wireless charging capability, the plastic back-housing cover that ships with the “Pre” device will need to be replaced with the metallic cover in order to initiate the functionality of the touchstone charger. The touchstone charging dock uses magnets to align the “Pre” phone in the correct position for charging. If the “Pre” Palm phone is set on the charging dock when making a call, the speakerphone automatically comes on. If a ringing “Pre” phone is taken off the charging dock the phone is automatically answered. The applicable subheading for the Palm touchstone charger kit (system) will be 8504.40.8500, Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS), which provides for “Electrical transformers, static converters (for example, rectifiers) and inductors; parts thereof: Static converters: For telecommunication apparatus.” The 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 Linda M. Hackett at (646) 733-3015. Sincerely, Robert B. Swierupski Director National Commodity Specialist Division