New Set of Amendments to the Harmonized System of Explanatory Notes (Parts XII)

(This is Part XII of a multi-part series of summaries on this amending supplement. See future issues of ITT for additional summaries.)

The following are short summaries of the amendments made to the ENs by this latest amending supplement:

(1) Converters in HS 84.52

On page 1537, the first two paragraphs under heading "(A) Converters" have been amended to read as follows (newly added text is denoted between " " and deleted text is denoted with "< >"):

"These are used for converting or refining metals (e.g. for converting iron into steel, or smelting copper or nickel mattes, galena, etc.) by subjecting the materials, previously melted or brought to a high temperature in a furnace, to a strong current of <air or> oxygen; by this action most of the carbon <or impurities> and dissolved elements such as manganese, silicon, and phosphorous are oxidised and eliminated in the form of gas or molten slag. The oxidation increases the temperature of the metal further.

The most common types of converters <(e.g. LD or Kaldo converters)> are pear-shaped or cylindrical vessels consisting of an outer shell of heavy steel plates with an internal lining of refractory material. The oxygen is brought in either by a lance from above (LD-converters (Linz-Donawitz)) or through nozzles in the converter bottom (OBM-converters (Oxygen Bodenblasende Maximilianhtte)). Combinations of the two exist."

(2) Lathes (Including Turning Centres) for Removing Metal () in HS 84.58

On page 1546, the Subheading Explanatory Note for Subheadings 8458.11 and 8458.91 has been amended to read as follows:

"Numerically controlled machine-tools are, as a group, know by their abbreviations CNC (Computer Numerical Control) or NC (Numerical Control). The terms "Computer Numerical Control" and "Numerical Control" can be regarded as synonymous. To qualify as a numerically controlled machine-tool, the functions and movements of the machine-tool, tool, or workpiece, must be performed according to the pre-programmed instructions. The programming is normally executed in an NC-specific language, for example, ISO-code. Programs and other data are stored in order to be accessible directly or subsequently. Numerically controlled machine-tools always integrate a control unit (separate "stand alone" unit or built in), incorporating an automatic data processing machine or a microprocessor, as well as servo systems, in order to achieve the desired motions of the machine-tool, tool, or workpiece. CNC-machines, CNC-lathes, and NC-milling machines are examples of numerically controlled machine-tools.

If the control unit is not presented with the machine-tool, the latter is nevertheless to be considered as a numerically controlled machine-tool provided it has the specific characteristics of this type of machine."

(This explanatory note previously read:

A numerically controlled machine-tool is a machine which is able to carry out machining operations according to a program of numerically-coded instructions. The input data are interpreted by the control system and transformed into mechanical movements of the machine. The introduction of the data can be made either by manual operation of decade switches, dials, key boards, etc. by the medium of punched tape, punched cards, or magnetic tape, or by the medium of an automatic data processing machine.

Numerically controlled machine-tools have the following characteristic features:

(1) A system for measuring displacements or the position of the moving elements; the latter consist essentially of transducers which are placed on the carriage, the table, the leadscrew, on the drive mechanism of the rack and on the stepping motors which are mounted on the carriages or on the tables as feed drives.

(2) The control unit is integral with the machine, or in the case of large machines, may be a separate "stand alone" unit (e.g. console, desk, or control cabinet). The control unit is the apparatus into which the numeric coded instructions are introduced for processing and transforming into control instructions for the various mobile parts of the machine.

(3) If the control unit is not present with the machine-tool, the latter is nevertheless to be considered as a numerically controlled machine-tool provided it has the specific characteristics of this type of machine.)

(3) Machine-Tools for Drilling, Boring, Etc. in HS 84.59

On pages 1547-1548, the list of items covered under this heading has been revised by adding a new "(1)" which covers "way type unit head machines" and reads as follows:

"Way type unit head machines. These machines, which are designed to perform drilling, boring, milling, threading or tapping operations, have no attached base. They consist only of a "frame" holding a motor and a tool holder and are equipped with guides (ways) and can therefore move back and forth repetitively when placed on a suitable base. The workpiece is inserted in a work holder independent of the way-type unit head machine which moves back and forth horizontally for drilling, boring, etc."

A paragraph which was substantially similar to this new paragraph was previously located directly below the list of items covered in HS 84.59; this paragraph has now been deleted.

As a result of the addition of this new paragraph, the existing paragraphs have been reordered as (2) through (5) (rather than (1) through (4)).

(4) Machine Tools for Working Wood, Cork, Bone, Etc. Under HS 84.65

On pages 1561-1562, with regard to the list of items included in group "(A) Machines not normally specialised for a particular industry" the following changes have been made:

Machines for moulding and milling. A new sentence has been added to the end of item (3) to stated that: "This group also includes CNC milling machines"

CNC work centres. A new paragraph (4) has been added which reads: "CNC work centres. These machines carry out several machining operations and have automatic tool change, from a magazine or the like in conformity with a machining programme. Consequently, this group covers machine-tools which carry out two or more machining operations by automatic tool change from a magazine or the like, whereas machine-tools which carry out one machining operation using a single tool or several tools working simultaneously or sequentially (for example, multiple-spindle drills or multiple-cutter milling machines), remain classified in their respective subheadings as drilling or milling machines."

As a result of the addition of a new paragraph (4), the existing items have been reordered as items (5) through (14) (rather than items (4) through (13)).

(See ITT's Online Archives or 12/15/04 news, 04121535, Part XI of BP's summary of these Explanatory Notes.)

Information about the Harmonized System is available on the WCO Web site at http://www.wcoomd.org/ie/En/Topics_Issues/topics_issues.html

EN amendments available at http://www.wcoomd.org/ie/En/Topics_Issues/HarmonizedSystem/Enhs33en.pdf