The tariff classification of a USB hub and mobile phone charger from China

N201706 February 22, 2012 CLA-2-84:OT:RR:NC:N1:120 CATEGORY: Classification TARIFF NO.: 8471.80.1000 Ms. Jane Jewett Talus Corporation 470 Riverside Street Portland, Maine 04103 RE: The tariff classification of a USB hub and mobile phone charger from China Dear Ms. Jewett: In your letter dated January 17, 2012, you requested a tariff classification ruling. The submitted sample of the USB hub and mobile phone charger is being returned upon your request. The merchandise under consideration is referred to as a USB hub and charger, model number ST-E15 that measures approximately 2 ¼ in length by 1.5 inches in depth by 2 ½ inches in width. This unit features four standard Female 2.0 USB (Universal Serial Bus) Ports that accept Male Type A plugs, and supports all USB devices. It allows up to four peripheral devices to be simultaneously connected to a personal computer (PC) via its attached 36 inch USB power cord, The USB hub receives its power from the computer’s USB Port Bus, and has a transfer rate of 480 Megabits per second. It includes plug and play capabilities and has indicator lights (USB, charge and power) that light up when in use. Although this item is also referred to as a mobile phone charger, it does not have any charging capability. For instance, when the USB hub and mobile phone charger connects to a PC and to another device that has a rechargeable battery, then the 12 volts that comes from the PC provides power to the device’s rechargeable battery. Thus, it recharges the battery. As such, there is no “charger” involved. The applicable subheading for the USB Hub and mobile phone charger will be 8471.80.1000, Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS), which provides for "Automatic data processing machines and units thereof…: Other units of automatic data processing machines: Control or adapter units." 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 Denise Faingar at (646) 733-3010. Sincerely, Thomas J. Russo Director National Commodity Specialist Division