N342207 N3 Ruling Active

The tariff classification of an electronic wearable wrist band from China

Issued September 6, 2024 by U.S. Customs and Border Protection.

Tariff classification

HTS codes: 8517.62.0090, 9903.88.15

Headings: 8517, 9903

Product description

The item concerned is referred to as the “Referee on Court” (ROC). This device is an electronic wearable wrist band used by pickleball players to keep score of the game. The ROC is about the size of a wristwatch and has two buttons, one looks like a ball and the other looks like a paddle. The ROC sends and receives signals/data, via Bluetooth, to a tethered cell phone that is running a proprietary mobile application (app). The app then updates/tracks the score and announces the score out loud (using cell phone and external speakers). In use, the ROC would be used to send three different game play signals to the mobile app. The ball button sends an “01” code, the paddle button sends an “02” code and when both buttons are pressed together they send an “03” code. The mobile app counts scored points when it receives an “01”, it broadcasts a detailed score and server information when it receives an “02”, and it reverts the score to the previous state when it receives an “03”. The ROC receives Over-the-Air (OTA) firmware/system updates and Generic Attribute Profile (GATT) transmissions from the app on the tethered cellular telephone. The ROC does not incorporate any type of display screen, the face of this device only has the two transmission buttons.

CBP rationale

The applicable subheading for the “Referee on Court” (ROC) will be 8517.62.0090, Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS), which provides for “Telephone sets, including smartphones and other telephones for cellular networks or for other wireless networks; other apparatus for the transmission or reception of voice, images or other data, including apparatus for communication in a wired or wireless network (such as a local or wide area network), other than transmission or reception apparatus of heading 8443, 8525, 8527 or 8528; parts thereof: Other apparatus for transmission or reception of voice, images or other data, including apparatus for communication in a wired or wireless network (such as a local or wide area network): Machines for the reception, conversion and transmission or regeneration of voice, images or other data, including switching and routing apparatus: Other.

Full text

N342207 September 6, 2024 CLA-2-85:OT:RR:NC:N2:209 CATEGORY: Classification TARIFF NO.: 8517.62.0090, 9903.88.15 Feng Xiao Funtime Pickleball Inc. 2200 N. Commerce Parkway, Suite 200 Weston, FL 33326 RE:  The tariff classification of an electronic wearable wrist band from China Dear Mr. Xiao: In your letter dated August 22, 2024, you requested a tariff classification ruling. The item concerned is referred to as the “Referee on Court” (ROC). This device is an electronic wearable wrist band used by pickleball players to keep score of the game. The ROC is about the size of a wristwatch and has two buttons, one looks like a ball and the other looks like a paddle. The ROC sends and receives signals/data, via Bluetooth, to a tethered cell phone that is running a proprietary mobile application (app). The app then updates/tracks the score and announces the score out loud (using cell phone and external speakers). In use, the ROC would be used to send three different game play signals to the mobile app. The ball button sends an “01” code, the paddle button sends an “02” code and when both buttons are pressed together they send an “03” code. The mobile app counts scored points when it receives an “01”, it broadcasts a detailed score and server information when it receives an “02”, and it reverts the score to the previous state when it receives an “03”. The ROC receives Over-the-Air (OTA) firmware/system updates and Generic Attribute Profile (GATT) transmissions from the app on the tethered cellular telephone. The ROC does not incorporate any type of display screen, the face of this device only has the two transmission buttons. The applicable subheading for the “Referee on Court” (ROC) will be 8517.62.0090, Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS), which provides for “Telephone sets, including smartphones and other telephones for cellular networks or for other wireless networks; other apparatus for the transmission or reception of voice, images or other data, including apparatus for communication in a wired or wireless network (such as a local or wide area network), other than transmission or reception apparatus of heading 8443, 8525, 8527 or 8528; parts thereof: Other apparatus for transmission or reception of voice, images or other data, including apparatus for communication in a wired or wireless network (such as a local or wide area network): Machines for the reception, conversion and transmission or regeneration of voice, images or other data, including switching and routing apparatus: Other.” The general rate of duty will be Free. Pursuant to U.S. Note 20 to Subchapter III, Chapter 99, HTSUS, products of China classified under subheading 8517.62.0090, HTSUS, unless specifically excluded, are subject to an additional 7.5 percent ad valorem rate of duty. At the time of importation, you must report the Chapter 99 subheading, i.e., 9903.88.15, in addition to subheading 8517.62.0090, HTSUS, listed above. The HTSUS is subject to periodic amendment so you should exercise reasonable care in monitoring the status of goods covered by the Note cited above and the applicable Chapter 99 subheading. For background information regarding the trade remedy initiated pursuant to Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974, you may refer to the relevant parts of the USTR and CBP websites, which are available at https://ustr.gov/issue-areas/enforcement/section-301-investigations/tariff-actions and https://www.cbp.gov/trade/remedies/301-certain-products-china, respectively. 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/. The holding set forth above applies only to the specific factual situation and merchandise description as identified in the ruling request. This position is clearly set forth in Title 19, Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), Section 177.9(b)(1). This section states that a ruling letter is issued on the assumption that all of the information furnished in the ruling letter, whether directly, by reference, or by implication, is accurate and complete in every material respect. In the event that the facts are modified in any way, or if the goods do not conform to these facts at time of importation, you should bring this to the attention of U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and submit a request for a new ruling in accordance with 19 CFR 177.2. Additionally, we note that the material facts described in the foregoing ruling may be subject to periodic verification by CBP. This ruling is being issued under the provisions of Part 177 of the Customs and Border Protection 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, please contact National Import Specialist Steven Pollichino at [email protected]. Sincerely, Steven A. Mack Director National Commodity Specialist Division

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