WCO Explanatory Notes reproduced for reference. © World Customs Organization. Verify against official WCO publication.
84.15 Air conditioning machines, comprising a motor-driven fan and elements for changing the temperature and humidity, including those machines in which the humidity cannot be separately regulated (+). 8415.10 - Window or wall types, self-contained or "split-system" 8415.20 - Of a kind used for persons, in motor vehicles - Other : 8415.81 - - Incorporating 8415.82 - - Other, incorporating a refrigerating unit 8415.83 - - Not incorporating a refrigerating unit 8415.90 - Parts a refiigeratin unit and a valve for reversal of the cooling/heat cycle (reversible eat pumps) % This heading covers certain apparatus for maintaining required conditions of temperature and humidity in closed spaces. The machines may also comprise elements for the purification of air. They are used for air conditioning offices, homes, public halls, ships, motor vehicles, etc., and also in certain industrial installations requiring special atmospheric conditions (e.g., in the textile, paper, tobacco or food industries). The heading applies only to machines : (1) Equipped with a motor-driven fan or blower, and (2) Designed to chan e both the temperature (a heating or cooling element or both) and the hurmdity (a humi ifying or drying element or both) of air, and d (3) For which the elements mentioned in (1) and (2) are presented together. In these machines the elements for hurnidifylng or drying the air may be separate from those for heating or cooling it. However, certain types incorporate only a single unit which changes both the temperature and, by condensation, the humidity of the air. These air conditioning machines cool and dry (by condensation of water vapour on a cold coil) the air of the room in which they are installed or, if they have an outside air intake (damper), a mixture of fresh air and room air. They are generally provided with drip pans to catch the condensate. The machines may be in the form of single units encom assing all the required elements, such as self-contained window or wall types (referred to as "t E rough-the-wall" units). Alternatively, they may be in the form of "s 11t-systems" which operate when connected to ether, i.e., a condenser unit for external instaillation plus an evaporator unit for internal instal ation. These "split-systems" are ductless and utilize a separate evaporator for each area to be air conditioned (e.g., each room). f' From the structural point of view, the air conditionin machines of this heading must therefore incorporate, in addition to the motor-driven fan or b ower for circulating the air, at least the following elements : An air heating device (operated by hot water, steam or hot air tubes or by electric resistances, etc.) and an air humidifier (generally consisting of a water spray) or an air dehumidifier; or A cold water coil or a refrigerator unit evaporator (either of which changes both the temperature and, by condensahon, the humidity of the a~r); or Some other type of cooling element with a separate device for changing the humidity of the air. In certain cases, the de-humidifier makes use of the hygroscopic properties of absorbent materials. This heading covers, inter alia, reversible heat pumps designed, throu h a single s stem fitted with a valve for reversal of the coolingtheat cycle, to perform the dua function of eating and cooling premises. In the cooling cycle, the reversing valve directs the flow of hot, high pressure vapour to the outdoor coil where the heat released during condensation is fanned rnto the outdoor air and then compressed refrigerant flows into an indoor coil where it vaporizes and absorbs heat and cools the air that is driven around the premises by a fan. In the heating cycle, the shifting of the valve for reversal of the coolingtheat cycle causes the refrigerant flow to reverse so that the heat is released inside the premises. k K Air conditioning machines may be supplied with their means of heating or cooling fiom an external source. They are usually fitted with air cleaners consisting of one or more layers of filterin material, often impregnated with oil (textile material, glass wool, steel or copper wool, expan ed metal, etc.) through which the air is passed to remove suspended dust, etc. They may also be provided with devices for adjusting or automatically controlling the temperature and humidity of the air. d This heading also covers apparatus which, although not fitted with a device for separate1 regulating the humidity of the air, chan e the humidity by condensation. Examples of suc apparatus are the above-mentioned sel -contained units and split-s stems whlch utilize a se arate evaporator for each area to be air conditioned (e.g., each roomy, and also a paratus for co d stores consisting of a combined cooling evaporator and motorized blower. A so included are units for heatingkooling a closed chamber (lorry, trailer or container), consisting of a compressor, a condenser and a motor in a housin mounted on the outside of the goods compartment and of a ventilator and an evaporator wi in the container. Z f P f L However, the headin excludes refigeration units designed to maintain a fixed temperature well below OD C in a closed chamber lony, hailer or container), and fitted with a heating system lo raise the temperature in the chamber, within certain limits, when the outside temperature is very low. Such equipment is classifiable in heading 84.18 as refii erating or hezing e uipment, the heating function being subsidiary to the equipment's essentiaI function, w ~ c is h to keep pensha le products cool during transportation. i "b PARTS In accordance with the provisions of Note 2 (b) to Section XVI, this heading includes separately resented indoor units and outdoor units for split-system air conditioning machines of this teading. Other parts for air-conditionin machines, whether or not designed for buildin into a selfcontained unit, are to be classi led in accordance with the provisions of Note 2 fa) to Section XVI (headings 84.14, 84.18, 84.19, 84.21, 84.79, etc.) or, if Note 2 (a) is not applicable, in accordance with Note 2 (b) or 2 (c) to Section XVI, depending on whether or not they are identifiable as suitable for use solely or principally with the air-conditioning machines of which they are parts. P The heading excludes (a) Air heaters and hot air distributors of heading 73.22 which can also distribute fiesh or conditioned air. (b) Non- reversible heat pumps of heading 84.18 and chillers for air conditioning machines (heading 84.18). (c) Apparatus which, although incorporating a motor-driven fan, has the sole function of changing either the temperature or humid@ of the air (headings 84.79,85.16, etc.).
Notes. 1.- This Chapter does not cover : (a) Millstones, grindstones or other articles of Chapter 68; (b) Machinery or appliances (for example, pumps) of ceramic material and ceramic parts of machinery or appliances of any material (Chapter 69); (c) Laboratory glassware (heading 70.17); machinery, appliances or other articles for technical uses or parts thereof, of glass (heading 70.19 or 70.20); (d) Articles of heading 73.21 or 73.22 or similar articles of other base metals (Chapters 74 to 76 or 78 to 81); (e) Vacuum cleaners of heading 85.08; (f) Electro-mechanical domestic appliances of heading 85.09; digital cameras of heading 85.25; (g) Radiators for the articles of Section XVII; or (h) Hand-operated mechanical floor sweepers, not motorised (heading 96.03). 2.- Subject to the operation of Note 3 to Section XVI and subject to Note 11 to this Chapter, a machine or appliance which answers to a description in one or more of the headings 84.01 to 84.24, or heading 84.86 and at the same time to a description in one or more of the headings 84.25 to 84.80 is to be classified under the appropriate heading of the former group or under heading 84.86, as the case may be, and not the latter group. (A) Heading 84.19 does not, however, cover : (i) Germination plant, incubators or brooders (heading 84.36); (ii) Grain dampening machines (heading 84.37); (iii) Diffusing apparatus for sugar juice extraction (heading 84.38); (iv) Machinery for the heat-treatment of textile yarns, fabrics or made up textile articles (heading 84.51); or (v) Machinery, plant or laboratory equipment designed for a mechanical operation, in which a change of temperature, even if necessary, is subsidiary. (B) Heading 84.22 does not cover : (i) Sewing machines for closing bags or similar containers (heading 84.52); or (ii) Office machinery of heading 84.72. (C) Heading 84.24 does not cover : (i) Ink-jet printing machines (heading 84.43); or (ii) Water-jet cutting machines (heading 84.56). 3.- A machine-tool for working any material which answers to a description in heading 84.56 and at the same time to a description in heading 84.57, 84.58, 84.59, 84.60, 84.61, 84.64 or 84.65 is to be classified in heading 84.56. 4.- Heading 84.57 applies only to machine-tools for working metal, other than lathes (including turning centres), which can carry out different types of machining operations either : (a) by automatic tool change from a magazine or the like in conformity with a machining programme (machining centres), (b) by the automatic use, simultaneously or sequentially, of different unit heads working on a fixed position workpiece (unit construction machines, single station), or (c) by the automatic transfer of the workpiece to different unit heads (multi-station transfer machines). 5.- For the purposes of heading 84.62, a “slitting line” for flat products is a processing line composed of an uncoiler, a coil flattener, a slitter and a recoiler. A “cut-to-length line” for flat products is a processing line composed of an uncoiler, a coil flattener, and a shear. 6.- (A) For the purposes of heading 84.71, the expression “automatic data processing machines” means machines capable of : (i) Storing the processing program or programs and at least the data immediately necessary for the execution of the program; (ii) Being freely programmed in accordance with the requirements of the user; (iii) Performing arithmetical computations specified by the user; and (iv) Executing, without human intervention, a processing program which requires them to modify their execution, by logical decision during the processing run. (B) Automatic data processing machines may be in the form of systems consisting of a variable number of separate units. (C) Subject to paragraphs (D) and (E) below, a unit is to be regarded as being part of an automatic data processing system if it meets all of the following conditions : (i) It is of a kind solely or principally used in an automatic data processing system; (ii) It is connectable to the central processing unit either directly or through one or more other units; and (iii) It is able to accept or deliver data in a form (codes or signals) which can be used by the system. Separately presented units of an automatic data processing machine are to be classified in heading 84.71. However, keyboards, X-Y co-ordinate input devices and disk storage units which satisfy the conditions of paragraphs (C) (ii) and (C) (iii) above, are in all cases to be classified as units of heading 84.71. (D) Heading 84.71 does not cover the following when presented separately, even if they meet all of the conditions set forth in Note 6 (C) above : (i) Printers, copying machines, facsimile machines, whether or not combined; (ii) 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); (iii) Loudspeakers and microphones; (iv) Television cameras, digital cameras and video camera recorders; (v) Monitors and projectors, not incorporating television reception apparatus. (E) Machines incorporating or working in conjunction with an automatic data processing machine and performing a specific function other than data processing are to be classified in the headings appropriate to their respective functions or, failing that, in residual headings. 7.- Heading 84.82 applies, inter alia, to polished steel balls, the maximum and minimum diameters of which do not differ from the nominal diameter by more than 1 % or by more than 0.05 mm, whichever is less. Other steel balls are to be classified in heading 73.26. 8.- A machine which is used for more than one purpose is, for the purposes of classification, to be treated as if its principal purpose were its sole purpose. Subject to Note 2 to this Chapter and Note 3 to Section XVI, a machine the principal purpose of which is not described in any heading or for which no one purpose is the principal purpose is, unless the context otherwise requires, to be classified in heading 84.79. Heading 84.79 also covers machines for making rope or cable (for example, stranding, twisting or cabling machines) from metal wire, textile yarn or any other material or from a combination of such materials. 9.- For the purposes of heading 84.70, the term “pocket-size” applies only to machines the dimensions of which do not exceed 170 mm x 100 mm x 45 mm. 10.- For the purposes of heading 84.85, the expression “additive manufacturing” (also referred to as 3D printing) means the formation of physical objects, based on a digital model, by the successive addition and layering, and consolidation and solidification, of material (for example, metal, plastics or ceramics). Subject to Note 1 to Section XVI and Note 1 to Chapter 84, machines answering to the description in heading 84.85 are to be classified in that heading and in no other heading of the Nomenclature. 11.- (A) Notes 12 (a) and 12 (b) to Chapter 85 also apply with respect to the expressions “semiconductor devices” and “electronic integrated circuits”, respectively, as used in this Note and in heading 84.86. However, for the purposes of this Note and of heading 84.86, the expression “semiconductor devices” also covers photosensitive semiconductor devices and light-emitting diodes (LED). (B) For the purposes of this Note and of heading 84.86, the expression “manufacture of flat panel displays” covers the fabrication of substrates into a flat panel. It does not cover the manufacture of glass or the assembly of printed circuit boards or other electronic components onto the flat panel. The expression “flat panel display” does not cover cathode-ray tube technology. (C) Heading 84.86 also includes machines and apparatus solely or principally of a kind used for : (i) the manufacture or repair of masks and reticles; (ii) assembling semiconductor devices or electronic integrated circuits; (iii) lifting, handling, loading or unloading of boules, wafers, semiconductor devices, electronic integrated circuits and flat panel displays. (D) Subject to Note 1 to Section XVI and Note 1 to Chapter 84, machines and apparatus answering to the description in heading 84.86 are to be classified in that heading and in no other heading of the Nomenclature. Subheading Notes. 1.- For the purposes of subheading 8465.20, the term “machining centres” applies only to machine-tools for working wood, cork, bone, hard rubber, hard plastics or similar hard materials, which can carry out different types of machining operations by automatic tool change from a magazine or the like in conformity with a machining programme. 2.- For the purposes of subheading 8471.49, the term “systems” means automatic data processing machines whose units satisfy the conditions laid down in Note 6 (C) to Chapter 84 and which comprise at least a central processing unit, one input unit (for example, a keyboard or a scanner), and one output unit (for example, a visual display unit or a printer). 3.- For the purposes of subheading 8481.20, the expression “valves for oleohydraulic or pneumatic transmissions” means valves which are used specifically in the transmission of “fluid power” in a hydraulic or pneumatic system, where the energy source is supplied in the form of pressurised fluids (liquid or gas). These valves may be of any type (for example, pressure-reducing type, check type). Subheading 8481.20 takes precedence over all other subheadings of heading 84.81. 4.- Subheading 8482.40 applies only to bearings with cylindrical rollers of a uniform diameter not exceeding 5 mm and having a length which is at least three times the diameter. The ends of the rollers may be rounded.