WCO Explanatory Notes reproduced for reference. © World Customs Organization. Verify against official WCO publication.
84.71 - Automatic data processing machines and units thereof; magnetic or optical readers, machines for transcribing data onto data media in coded form and machines for processing such data, not elsewhere specified or included (+). 8471.30 - Portable automatic data processing machines, weighing not more than 10 kg, consisting of at least a central processing unit, a keyboard and a display - Other automatic data processing machines : 8471.41 - - Comprising in the same housing at least a central processing unit and an 8471.49 8471.50 - - Other, presented in the form of systems - Processing unip other than those of subheading 8471.41 or 8471.49, whether 8471.60 - Inpu! 8471.70 - Storage units - Other units of automatic data processing machines - Other 8471.80 8471.90 mput and output m t , whether or not combmned or not containmng in the same housing one or two of the followmg types of unit : storage unlts, input units, output units or output units, whether or not containing storage units in the same hous~ng (I) AUTOMATIC DATA PROCESSING MACHINES AND UNITS THEREOF Data processin is the handling of information of all kinds, in pre-established logical sequences and for a speci ic purpose or purposes. F Automatic data processing machines are machines which, by logically interrelated operations performed in accordance with pre-established instructions (program), furnish data which can be used as such or, in some cases, serve in turn as data for other data processing operations. This heading covers data processing machines in which the logical sequences of the operations can be changed from one job to another, and in which the operation can be automatic, that is to say with no manual intervention for the duration of the task. These machines mostly use electronic signals but may also use other technologies. They may be self-contained, all the elements required for data processing being combined in the same housing, or they may be in the form of systems consisting of a variable number of separate units. This heading also covers separately presented constituent units of automatic data processing systems described above. However, the heading excludes machines, instruments or apparatus incorporating or workin in conjunction with an automatic data processin machine and performing a s ecific function. Euch machines, instnuoents or a paratus are classifie in the headin s ap ropriate to &eir respechve functions or, failing that, in residual eadings (See Part (E) of the Genera Exp anatory Note to this Chapter). K d f P (A) AUTOMATIC DATA PROCESSING MACHINES The automatic data processin machines of this headin must be ca able of fulfilling simultaneously the conditions aid down in Note 5 (A) to is Chapter. {hat is to say, they must be capable of L f (1) Storing the processing program or programs and at least the data immediately necessary for the execution of the program; (2) Being freely programmed in accordance with the requirements of the user; (3) Performing arithmetical computations specified by the user; and (4) Executing, without human intervention, a processing program which requires them to modify their execution, by logical decision during the processing run. Thus, machines which o erate only on fixed programs, i.e., programs which cannot be modified by the user, are excluded even t\ough the user may be able to choose between a number of such fixed programs. These machines have storage capability and also stored programs which can be changed from job to job. Automatic data processing machines process data in coded form. A code consists of a finite set of characters (binary code, standard six bit I S 0 code, etc.). the use of data media such as ma etic tapes, or by There ma also be arrangements or manual input by be h i s ed directly by certain instruments (e.g., K means of F The input data are converted by the input units into signals which can be used by the machine, and stored in the storage units. Part of the data and program or programs may be temporarily stored in auxili storage units such as those using magnetic discs, ma etic tapes, etc. But these automatic ata processing machines must have a main storage capaElity which is directly accessible for the execution of a particular program and which has a capacity at least sufficient to store those parts of the processing and translating programs and the data immediately necessary for the current processing run. Automatic data processin machines may comprise in the same housing, the central processing unit, an input unit (e.g., a eyboard or a scanner) and an output unit (e.g., a visual display unit), or may consist of a number of interconnected separate units. In the latter case, the units form a "system" when it comprises at least the central processing unit, an input unit and an output unit (see Subheading Note 1 to this Chapter). The interconnections may be made by wired or wireless means. A complete automatic data processing system must comprise, at least : incorporates the main stora e, the arithmetical in some cases, however, 8 s e elements may (2) An input unit which receives input data and converts them into signals which can be processed by the machine. (3) An output unit which converts the signals provided b the machine into an intelligible form rinted text, graphs, displays, etc.) or into code data for further use (processing, contro ,etc.). B 'P Two of these units (input and output units, for example) may be combined in one single unit. A complete automatic data processing system is classified in this heading, even though one or more units may be classified elsewhere when presented separately (see part (B) Separately presented units, below). These systems may include remote input or output units in the form of data terminals. Such systems may also include units, a art from the input or output units, designed to increase the capacity of the system for instance, y expandin one or more of the functions of the central unit (see Part ( B) below Such units are inserted etween the in ut or ou ut units (start and end of the system), a1 ough adapting and converting units (c annel a aptors y d signal converters) may occasionally be connected before the input unit or after the output unit. Z ! % % tg Automatic data processing machines and systems are put to many uses, for exam le, in industry, in trade, in scientific research and in public or rivate administrations. (See art (E) of the General Explanatory Note to Chapter 84 w i g respect to the classification of machines incorporating or working in conjunction with an automatic data processing machine and performing a specific function (Note 5 (E) to this Chapter)). (B) SEPARATELY PRESENTED UNITS P) and Q3) to this Chapter, this heading also covefs Subject to the provisions of Notes 5 separately resented constituent units o automatic data processlug systems. These may be m the form o units having a se arate housing or in the form of units not having a separate housin and designed to be insertek'into a mach~ne(e.g., insertion onto the main board of a centra processing unit). Constituent units are those defined in Part (A) above and in the following paragraphs, as being parts of a complete system. P f An apparatus can only be classified in this heading as a unit of an automatic data processing system if it : (a) Performs a data processing function; (b) Meets the following criteria set out in Note 5 (C) to this Chapter : (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. (c) Is not excluded by the provisions of Notes 5 (D) and (E) to this Chapter. In accordance with the last paragraph of Note 5 (C to this Chapter, keyboards, X-Y co-ordinate input devices and disc storage units which satisfy t e conditions of item (b) (ii) and (iii) above, are in all cases to be classified as constituent units of data processing systems. h If the unit performs a s ecific function other than data processing, it is to be classified in the heading ap ropriate to g a t function or, failing that, in a residual headin (see Note 5 (E) to this . ff an apparatus does not meet the criteria set out in Note 5 ( ) to this Chapter, or is not chapte? er ormin a data processing function, it is to be classified according to its characteristicsby ap$cation of General Interpretative Rule 1, if necessary in combination with General Interpretative Rule 3 (a). Separately presented appliances such as rneasurin or checkin instruments adapted by the addition of devices (signal converters, for exam le), which en%lc them to connected directly to a data processin machine, are, in articular, not to e regarded as units of an automatic data processing system. Suc appliances fall to e classified in their own appropriate heading. E & g g % Apart from central processing units and input and output units, examples of other units include : (1) Additional storage external to the central recessing unit (magnetic card transports, magnetic or optical disc storages, ta e autoloa ers and libraries, o tical disc drive libraries (sometimes referred to as "optica disc jukeboxesy'), etc.). d i s group also includes additional data storage devices known as "propriet storage formats", whether for internal installation in an automatic data processing mac ine or for external use with such machines. The devices may be in the form of drives for discs or tapes. P l "K (2) Additions which enhance the processing power of the central processing unit (e.g. floating point processing units). (3) Control and adaptor units such as those to effect interconnection of the central processing unit to input or output units (e.g., USB hubs). However, control and adaptor units for communication in a wired or w~relessnetwork (such as a local or wide area network) are excluded (heading 85.17). (4) Signal converting units. At input, these enable an external signal to be understood by the machine, while at out ut, they convert the output signals that result fi-om the processing carried out by the mac ine into signals which can be used externally. e (5) X-Y co-ordinate in ut devices, which are units for inputting position data into automatic data processin macknes. These devices include the mouse, the li t pen, the jo stick, the track ball an the touch-sensitive screen. Their common attri ute is that t eir input consists of, or is interpreted as, data indicating position relative to some fixed point. Their common usage is to control the position of the cursor on the display unit, as a replacement for or a complement to the cursor keys on the keyboard. d f' g This category also covers graphic tablets, which are X-Y co-ordinate input devices making it possible to capture and trace the co-ordinates of a curve or any othef geometrical form. This apparatus is generally composed of a rectangular board with an actlve sensing surface, a pointer or pen used to create drawings, and a zoom linked to a cross-piece, making it possible to input data. This category further covers digitizers, which have similar functions to graphic tablets. However, while graphic tablets are used for creating original art and drawmgs, as well as for a plication menu selection and on-screen object control, digitizers are generally used for tI! e capture of existing drawin s that exist only in hard-copy form. Digitizer ointin devices ma assume any shape, fut must be small enough to be hand-held an move around the gctive) sensing region of the digitizer. Cross-hair cursors are the most common shape. f % (11) MAGNETIC OR OPTICAL READERS, MACHINES FOR TRANSCRIBING DATA ONTO DATA MEDIA IN CODED FORM AND MACHINES FOR PROCESSING SUCH DATA, NOT ELSEWHERE SPECIFIED OR INCLUDED This group comprises a wide ran e of machines, many being electro-magnetic or electronic, which usually complement each .ot er and are general1 used in systems for compiling statistics or for accounting or other operations. The ou inclu es magnebc or opQcal readers, machines for transcribing data onto data media in co ed o m and machines which process data and which decode the result. i F? K The group includes machines only if they are not ekewhere specified or included. It thus excludes, for example : (a) The automatic data processing machines and units thereof described in Part (I) above, other than bar code readers. (b) Automatic typewriters and word-processingmachines (heading 84.69). (c) Calculatin machines, accounting machines and cash registers of heading 84.70, from which they differ in t at they have no manual input arrangements but receive data solely in coded form (magnetic tape, discs, CD-ROMs, etc.). % (A) MAGNETIC OR-OPTICALREADERS read characters, generally in a s ecial form, and convert them into can be directly used y machines for transcribing or \ (1) Magnetic readers. In this type of appliance, the characters, printed with a special magnetic ink, are magnetised and then converted into electric impulses by a magnetic reader head. They are subsequent1 identified either by corn arison with data registered in the storage units of the machine or y means of a numeric co e, usually binary. E (2) Optical readers. These do not require the use of special ink. The characters are read directly by a series of photoelectric cells and translated on the bin code principle. This group also includes bar code readers. These machines general y use photosensitive semiconductor devices, e.g., laser diodes, and are used as input units in conjunction with an automatic data processin machine, or with other machines, e.g., cash registers. They are designed for working in t e hand, for placing on a table or for fixmg to a machine. "r K The readers described above are classified in this heading only if presented separately. When combined with other machines (e.g., machines for transcnbin data onto data media in coded form and machines for pmcessmg such data in coded formf! they are classified with those machines provided they are presented with them. (B) MACHINES FOR TRANSCRIBING DATA ONTO DATA MEDIA IN CODED FORM This group includes : (1) Machines for transferring coded information from one medium to another. These machines can be used either to transfer coded information from one type of data medium to a different type or to transfer it to another medium of the same type. The latter category includes reproducing machines which are used to re roduce all or part of the data on a master tape, magnetic or optical discs (e.g., DVD, C -ROW by making a new tape or disc. (2) Machines for introducing fixed programs into inte rated circuits (pro anzmers). These machines are designed to transfer, in coded form, t e data contained in t e internal memory of the programmers onto integrated circuits. The programmers "burn" the information onto one or more integrated circuits following various techniques suitable for the type of programmable integrated circuit used. f f Some progriunmers have an additional feature (emulator which allows the user to picture or emulate the result of the programming before actual y committing the program to the integrated circuit. 1' PARTS AND ACCESSORIES Sub'ect to the general provisions regarding the classification of parts see the General Exp anatory Note to Secbon XVI), parts and accessories of the machmes o this heading are classified in heading 84.73. i This heading also excludes : (a) Power supply units (heading 85.04). (ti) Modulator-demodulator apparatus (modems), which modulate, in transmittable form over a telephone network, information obtained from an automatic data processing machine, and reconvert ~t into digital form (heading 85.17). (c) Electronic integrated circuits (heading 85.42). (d) Flight simulators (e.g., heading 88.05).
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);