10 newer rulings cite the same tariff codes.

Classification can shift over time. Review the more recent rulings below before relying on this one.

N301937 N3 Ruling Active

The tariff classification on lens cleaning devices from China.

Issued December 19, 2018 by U.S. Customs and Border Protection.

Cite this ruling

Copies to clipboard

N3 N301937 (December 19, 2018)

Tariff classification

HTS codes: 9603.90.8050

Headings: 9603

GRI rules applied: GRI 3(b)

Product description

The products under consideration are described as “Carbonklean Peeps,” “Lens Pen,” and “Laptop-Pro.” The “Lens Pen” comes in three versions, “FilterKlear,” MicroPro,” and “MiniPro.” Each of these devices contains a cleaning pad on one end and a brush on the other end. The brushes are made of natural goat hair bristles and are retractable, which protects them from contamination when not in use. These products are primarily designed to clean optical lenses, such as eyeglasses, camera lenses, and binoculars, while protecting their anti-reflective coating from potential damage caused by abrasive particles during the cleaning process. It is in this office’s opinion that the brushes impart the essential character to these products, General Rule of Interpretation 3(b) noted.

CBP rationale

The applicable subheading for these lens cleaning devices will be 9603.90.8050, Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS), which provides for “[b]rooms, brushes (including brushes constituting parts of machines, appliances or vehicles), hand-operated mechanical floor sweepers, not motorized, mops and feather dusters; prepared knots and tufts for broom or brush making; paint pads and rollers; squeegees (other than roller squeegees): [o]ther: [o]ther: [o]ther.

Full text

N301937 December 19, 2018 CLA-2-96:OT:RR:NC:N4:415 CATEGORY: Classification TARIFF NO.: 9603.90.8050 Ms. Jennifer Diaz Diaz Trade Law 12700 Biscayne Boulevard, Suite 301 North Miami, FL 33181 RE: The tariff classification on lens cleaning devices from China. Dear Ms. Diaz: In your letter dated November 26, 2018, you requested a tariff classification ruling on behalf of your client Parkside Optical, Inc. Samples were submitted and will be returned separately. The products under consideration are described as “Carbonklean Peeps,” “Lens Pen,” and “Laptop-Pro.” The “Lens Pen” comes in three versions, “FilterKlear,” MicroPro,” and “MiniPro.” Each of these devices contains a cleaning pad on one end and a brush on the other end. The brushes are made of natural goat hair bristles and are retractable, which protects them from contamination when not in use. These products are primarily designed to clean optical lenses, such as eyeglasses, camera lenses, and binoculars, while protecting their anti-reflective coating from potential damage caused by abrasive particles during the cleaning process. It is in this office’s opinion that the brushes impart the essential character to these products, General Rule of Interpretation 3(b) noted. The applicable subheading for these lens cleaning devices will be 9603.90.8050, Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS), which provides for “[b]rooms, brushes (including brushes constituting parts of machines, appliances or vehicles), hand-operated mechanical floor sweepers, not motorized, mops and feather dusters; prepared knots and tufts for broom or brush making; paint pads and rollers; squeegees (other than roller squeegees): [o]ther: [o]ther: [o]ther.” The column one, general rate of duty is 2.8% 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 at https://hts.usitc.gov/current. This ruling is being issued under the provisions of Part 177 of the Customs Regulations (19 CFR 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 Kristopher Burton at [email protected]. Sincerely,  Steven A. Mack Director National Commodity Specialist Division

View original on CBP CROSS →

More rulings on the same tariff codes

Follow N301937

Get an email if this ruling is revoked or modified, or a newer ruling supersedes it.

One email per day at most. Confirm your address once, unsubscribe anytime.

Searching CBP rulings the smart way

Rulings are precedent. See which ones apply to your product: TariffLens semantically searches all 200,000+ CBP rulings and builds defensible classifications backed by ruling citations.