Question 13

Domain 2: Classification under HTSUS

Which merchandise described below is CLASSIFIED under 8536.70.0000?

A. This unit is a 2" plastic cube with a single crimping tube through the cube. A single multi-strand fibre optic cable is pushed through the crimping tube which stabilizes the cable allowing fibre optic cable to be split into smaller strands which allows the signal to be split and connected to multiple devices. B. This unit is a 4" plastic cube with color-coded input and output ports on opposite ends of the cube. Each port contains a clamping tube into which the end of the fibre optic cable is inserted. Fibre optic bundles of colors matching the color-coded ports are inserted into the input and output ports. The purpose of the cube is to align the optical fibres end-to-end in a line. The cube does not amplify or modify the signal carried by the fibre optic bundles. C. This unit is a rectangular 4"x3"x2" plastic box with a single port at each end. The box contains a signal amplifying integrated circuit which is used to increase the incoming signal from the optical fiber bundle inserted into the incoming port of the box and send the amplified signal through the optical fiber bundle inserted into the outgoing port of the box. D. This unit is an 8"x8"x2" metal box with four (4) banks of optical fibre ports. The box contains multiple signal repeating integrated circuits which are used to boost the signal quality of the incoming signal from the optical fiber bundle before the signal exits through the outgoing fibre optic bundles.

Correct answer: B

Explanation

Heading 8536 covers electrical apparatus for switching or making connections, and subheading 8536.70 covers “connectors for optical fibres, optical fibre bundles or cables.” The cube’s purpose is to “align the optical fibres end-to-end” without amplifying or modifying the signal, so it is a fibre optic connector rather than active equipment.

Why each option is right or wrong

A stabilizes and splits a cable into smaller strands; 8536.70 is for connectors, not splitting devices.

B. This unit is a 4" plastic cube with color-coded input and output ports on opposite ends of the cube. Each port contains a clamping tube into which the end of the fibre optic cable is inserted. Fibre optic bundles of colors matching the color-coded ports are inserted into the input and output ports. The purpose of the cube is to align the optical fibres end-to-end in a line. The cube does not amplify or modify the signal carried by the fibre optic bundles.

HTSUS heading 8536 covers electrical apparatus for switching or making connections, and subheading 8536.70.0000 specifically provides for connectors for optical fibres, optical fibre bundles or cables. The described cube’s sole function is to align two fibre ends in line through color-coded ports and clamping tubes, with no amplification or signal modification, which matches the legal scope of a passive optical-fibre connector under that subheading.

C. This unit is a rectangular 4"x3"x2" plastic box with a single port at each end. The box contains a signal amplifying integrated circuit which is used to increase the incoming signal from the optical fiber bundle inserted into the incoming port of the box and send the amplified signal through the optical fiber bundle inserted into the outgoing port of the box.

Signal amplifying integrated circuits make it active equipment, not a passive optical-fibre connector.

D. This unit is an 8"x8"x2" metal box with four (4) banks of optical fibre ports. The box contains multiple signal repeating integrated circuits which are used to boost the signal quality of the incoming signal from the optical fiber bundle before the signal exits through the outgoing fibre optic bundles.

Signal repeating integrated circuits indicate active signal processing, not a connector for optical fibres.

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