July 31 CBP Bulletin Revokes Rulings on Wetted Aluminum Powder and Docking Stations for MP3 Players
In the July 31 issue of the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Bulletin (Vol. 47, No. 32), CBP published two notices of revocation of rulings and treatment regarding wetted aluminum powder and MP3 player docking stations with built-in radios.
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Revocations Are Effective Sept. 30
CBP is revoking these rulings, as well as any treatment CBP previously accorded to substantially identical transactions, effective for merchandise entered or withdrawn from warehouse for consumption on or after Sept. 30.
Wetted Aluminum Powder
| Item: Wetted Spherical Aluminum Powder. A lumpy gray powder composed of aluminum, other base metals, and a non-aromatic organic solvent used as a wetting agent. It can be used for rocket fuel, electronics, solar panels and metallic pigment for paints. |
| New Ruling: HQ H161855 (dated 06/17/13), revokes NY N117455 (2010) |
| Old HTS/Rate: 3824.90.9290, 5% (Prepared binders for foundry molds or cores; chemical products and preparations of the chemical or allied industries (including those consisting of mixtures of natural products), not elsewhere specified or included: Other: Other: Other: Other: Other: Other.) |
| New HTS/Rate: 7603.10.00, 5% (Aluminum powders and flakes: Powders of a non-lamellar structure.) |
| Reason: The instant product consists of more than 80% aluminum and is therefore to be classified as an alloy of aluminum, as the aluminum gives the product its essential character. |
(See ITT's Online Archives 13030112 for summary of the proposed revocation of this ruling.)
MP3 Player Docking Stations with Built-in Radios
| Item: MP3 player docking stations with built-in radios. The docking stations allow the user to play music from an iPod or other MP3 player. The music, which is stored on the MP3 player, is transmitted to the speakers for broadcasting. |
| New Ruling: HQ H216719 (dated 07/02/13), revokes NY R02550 (2005), NY R03835 (2006), NY M84663 (2006), NY N010738 (2007), NY N015651 (2007), NY N024500 (2008), NY N047842 (2009), NY N092825 (2010), NY N092831 (2010), NY N092834 (2010), NY N021097 (2008), NY M86676 (2006), NY R04615 (2006), and NY N007861 (2007) |
| Old HTS/Rate: 8527.91.60, Free (Reception apparatus for radiotelephony, radiotelegraphy or radio broadcasting, whether or not combined, in the same housing, with sound recording or reproducing apparatus or a clock: Other radio broadcast receivers, including apparatus capable of receiving also radiotelephony or radiotelegraphy: Combined with sound recording or reproducing apparatus: Other: Other: Other.) |
| New HTS/Rate: For docking stations that are capable of operating without an external source of power (NY R02550, NY M84663, NY M86676, and NY R04615): Either 8527.19.10, Free, (Reception apparatus for radio broadcasting, whether or not combined, in the same housing, with sound recording or reproducing apparatus or a clock: Radio broadcast receivers capable of operating without an external source of power: Other: Valued not over $40 each, incorporating a clock or clock-timer, not in combination with any other article, and not designed for motor vehicle installation.) or 8527.19.50, 3%, (Reception apparatus for radio broadcasting, whether or not combined, in the same housing, with sound recording or reproducing apparatus or a clock: Radio broadcast receivers capable of operating without an external source of power: Other: Other.) For docking stations incapable of operating without an external source of power and include a clock (NY R03835, NY N010738, NY N015651, NY N024500, NY N047842, NY N092825, NY N092831, NY N092834, NY N021097, and NY N007861): Either 8527.92.10, Free, (Reception apparatus for radio broadcasting, whether or not combined, in the same housing, with sound recording or reproducing apparatus or a clock: Other: Not combined with sound recording or reproducing apparatus but combined with a clock: Valued not over $40 each.) or 8527.92.50, 3%, (Reception apparatus for radio broadcasting, whether or not combined, in the same housing, with sound recording or reproducing apparatus or a clock: Other: Not combined with sound recording or reproducing apparatus but combined with a clock: Other.) |
| Reason: CBP said its previous rulings are incorrect because the subject docking stations with radios do not contain sound recording or reproducing apparatus. As a result, models of the subject merchandise that are capable of operating without an external source of power, are classified in one of two subheadings based on whether they are valued not over $40, incorporate a clock or auto-timer, are not in combination with any other articles, and are not designed for motor vehicle installation. |
(See ITT's Online Archives 13011412 for summary of the proposed revocation of this ruling.)