The tariff classification of CIENA CN 4300 Managed Optical Services Switch from an unspecified country

NY R00828 October 6, 2004 CLA-2-85:RR:NC:MM:109 R00828 CATEGORY: Classification TARIFF NO.: 8517.30.5000 Mr. Michael John Mastroberti Director of Import/Export Compliance CIENA Corporation 1201 Wintersion Rd C2, 2 East Linthicum, MD 21090-2203 RE: The tariff classification of CIENA CN 4300 Managed Optical Services Switch from an unspecified country Dear Mr. Mastroberti: In your letter dated September 15, 2004, you requested a tariff classification ruling. This ruling concerns the classification of CIENA’s CN 4300 Managed Optical Services Switch. This product is telecommunications switching equipment used to direct phone and data traffic. The descriptive literature submitted for the CIENA CN 4300 Managed Optical Services Switch describes this item as an operator-class multiservice transport and switching platform that integrates aggregation, cross-connect functions, and WDM capabilities to enable diverse range of metro service offerings, including Ethernet, storage, and SONET/SDH transport. CIENA’s CN 4300 Managed Optical Services Switch has 8 linecard slots, each supporting 20 Gb/s of full duplex I/O bandwidth to the backplane. A central non-blocking, protocol-independent switch matrix enables dynamic service provisioning, flexible service topologies, and automatic protection switching on a per-service granularity. Optional redundancy on linecards and common elements guarantees carrier-class service availability with sub-millisecond automatic protection switching. Your letter suggested HTS 8517.50.9000, which provides for “Other apparatus, for carrier-current line systems or for digital line systems: Other: Telegraphic” Other.” However, the CIENA CN 4300 Managed Optical Services Switch is telecommunications switching equipment, classifiable within subheading 8517.30 as telegraphic (voice and data) switching apparatus. The applicable subheading for the CIENA CN 4300 Managed Optical Services Switch will be 8517.30.5000, Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTS), which provides for “Telephonic or telegraphic switching apparatus: Other.” The rate of duty will be free. 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