The tariff classification of a power strip from China.

N118300 August 25, 2010 CLA-2-85:OT:RR:NC:1:110 CATEGORY: Classification TARIFF NO.: 8537.10.9070 Mr. Dennis Morse BDP International, Inc. 2721 Walker Ave., NW Grand Rapids, MI 49504 RE: The tariff classification of a power strip from China. Dear Mr. Morse: In your letter dated August 3, 2010, you requested a tariff classification ruling on behalf of your client, Meijer Distribution. The merchandise under consideration is the Auto-Life 150 Power Inverter, Item No. 0175540. A sample of the item was submitted with your ruling request and will be returned to you. The Auto-Life 150 Power Inverter is designed to provide 150 watts (W) of 120 volts (V), alternating current (AC), or 5 V of power for appliances from a 12 V direct current (DC) source of power such as a car, truck or SUV battery. The power inverter is a power strip measuring approximately 10 inches long by 2½ inches wide by 1¾ inches high. This power strip has three 3-prong polarized 120 V outlets/receptacles, one USB power socket, one 12 V DC socket, one on/off rocker switch and a permanently attached power cord measuring approximately four feet in length with a 12 V DC plug for connecting to a vehicle’s cigarette lighter or other similar auxiliary outlets. Within the power strip is a cooling fan, two printed circuit boards with active and passive components that convert the vehicle’s low voltage 12 V DC battery power to 120 V AC power for the 3-prong polarized outlets or 5 V power to the USB socket, and provide protection from over current, over temperature, low and high voltage conditions. The applicable subheading for the Auto-Life 150 Power Inverter, Item No. 0175540, will be 8537.10.9070, Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS), which provides for “Boards, panels, consoles, desks, cabinets and other bases, equipped with two or more apparatus of 8535 or 8536, for electric control or the distribution of electricity…: For a voltage not exceeding 1,000 V: Other: Other: Other.” The general rate of duty will be 2.7 percent ad valorem. 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 Thomas Campanelli at (646) 733-3016. Sincerely, Robert B. Swierupski Director National Commodity Specialist Division