WCO Explanatory Notes reproduced for reference. © World Customs Organization. Verify against official WCO publication.
85.17 - Telephone sets, including telephones for cellular networks or for other wireless networks; other 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), other than transmission or reception apparatus of heading 84.43,85.25,85.27 or 85.28 (+). - Tel hone sets, including telephones for cellular networks or for other wire ess networks : 7' - - Line telephone sets with cordless handsets 8517.12 - - Telephones for cellular networks or for other wireless networks 8517.18 - - Other 8517.11 - Other apparatus for transmission or reception of voice, images or other data, includin apparatus for communication In a wired or wireless network (such as a loca or wide area network) : f - - Base stations 85 17.62 - - Machines for the reception, conve~sionand transmission or regeneration of 85 17.61 voice, images or other data, includmg switching and routing apparatus - - Other 8517.70 - Parts 8517.69 This heading covers apparatus for the transmission or reception of speech or other sounds, images or other data between two points by variation of an electrtc current or optical wave flowing in a wired network or by electro-ma etic waves in a wireless network. The signal may be analogue or di ital. The networks, w ch may be interconnected, include te ephony, telegraphy, radio-te ephony, radio-telegraphy, local and wide area networks. i: E (I) TELEPHONE SETS, INCLUDING TELEPHONES FOR CELLULARNETWORKS OR FOR OTHER WINLESS NETWORKS This group includes : (A) Line telephone sets. Line telephone sets are communication apparatus that convert voice into si transmission to another device. Upon receipt of a signal, a line telephone set wiWlalS convert the signal back to voice. They consist of : (1) The transmitter, a microphone which converts sound waves into a modulated current. (2) The receiver (headphone or earphone), which reconverts the modulated current into sound waves. In most cases, the transmitter and receiver are incorporated in a single moulding known as a hand-set. In other cases the transmitter and receiver are a combined headphone and microphone, designed to be worn on the user's head. (3) The anti-sidetone circuit, which prevents sound introduced in the transmitter from being reproduced in the receiver of the same hand-set. (4) The ringer, which gives warning of a call. These ma be tone ringers which produce their sound electronically or mechanical rin ers suc as a bell or a buzzer. Some telephone sets incorporate a light or lamp whic operates in conjunction with the ringer to provide a visual signal indicating an incoming call. Z % (5) The switching device or "switchhook", which interrupts or permits the flow of current from the network. It is usually operated by the hand-set being removed from or returned to a cradle. (6) The dialling selector, which enables the caller to obtain a connection. The selector may be of the push-button or keypad (tone) type or of the drum or rotary (pulse) type. When separate1 presented, microphones and receivers whether or not combined as handsets), and lou speakers are classified in heading 8 .18 while bells and buzzers are classified in heading 85.31. d' The heading covers all kinds of telephone sets including : (i) Cordless telephone sets which corn rise a battery powered radio fiequency transceiver hand-set which incorporates a dialEng selector, switching ke and a ra&o frequency transceiver base unit which is connected by line to the te ephone network (other cordless telephone sets may not have hand-set but comprise a combined headphone and microphone which is connected to a ortable combined battery powered radio frequency transceiver, dialling selector an switching key). T f (ii) Telephone sets which comprise a combined diallin selector and switching key unit (which is connected b line to the telephone networ ) and a combined headphone and rmcrophone, presente together. l E (B) Telephones for cellular networks or for other wireless networks. This group covers telephones for use on any wireless network. Such telephones receive and emit radio waves which are received and retransmitted, e.g., by base stations or satellites. These include, inter alia : (I) Cellular phones or mobile phones. (2) Satellite phones. (11) OTHER APPARATUS FOR 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) (A) Base stations. The most common types of base stations are those for cellular networks, which receive and transmit radio waves to and from cellular telephones or to other wired or wireless networks. Each base station covers a geographical area (a cell). If the user moves from one cell to another while telephoning, the call is automatically transferred from one cell to another without interruption. (B) Entry-phone systems. These systems usually consist of a telephone handset and ke ad or a louds eaker, a microphone and keys. These systems are usually mounted at e entrance of uildings housing a number of tenants. With these systems, visitors can call certain tenants, by pressing the appropriate keys and talk to them. i (C) Videophones. Videophones for buildings, which are a combination consisting principally of a telephone set for lime telephony, a television camera and a television receiver (transmssion by hne). @) Apparatus for telegraphic communication other than facsimiIe machines of heading 84.43. These apparatus are essentially designed for converting characters, paphics, images or other data into appropriate electrical impulses, for transmitting those impulses, and at the receiving end, receiving these impulses and converting them either lnto conventional bols or indications representing the characters, aphics, images or other data or into rcharacters, graphics, images or other data themse ves. f= Examples are : (I) Apparatus for transmitting messages, such as dial or keyboard transmitters and automatic transmitters (e.g., teleprinter or teletypewriter transmitters). (2) Apparatus for receiving messages (e.g., teletypewriter receivers). In some cases the receiver and the transmitter apparatus are combined into one receiver-transmitter. (3) Picture telegra hic apparatus. The ancillary hotogra hic equipment used with this apparatus (e-g., evelopig equipment) falls in hapter 0. # (E) Telephonic or Telegraphic Switching Apparatus. (1) Automatic switchboards and exchanges. These are of many types. The key feature of a switching system is the ability to provide, in response to coded si als, an automatic connection between users. Automatic switchboards and exc anges may o erate by means of circuit switching, message switching or packet switching whic utilize microprocessors to connect users by electronic means. Many automatic switchboards and exchanges incorporate analogue to di ital converteis, digital to analogue converters, &ta compression/decom~ression evices (codecs). modems. multiulexors. automatic data recessing machine's and other devices that 'permit the simulianeous' transmission of goth analogue and digital signals over the network, which enables the integrated transmission of speech, other sounds, characters, graphics, images or other data. !El R Some types of automatic switchboards and exchanges consist essentially of selectors, which select the line comes onding to the impulses received fiom the callin sets and are o erated automatically, either directg by the establish the connection. impulses from the calling set or via auxiiiay apparatus such as directors. hey The different types of selectors (pre-selectors, intermediate selectors, final selectors) and, where used, the directors, are often assembled in series and in groups of the same type on chassis which are then incorporated into the exchan e on metal racks. Particularly in smaller-sized installations they may, however, a be mounted on a single rack to form a self-contained automatic exchange. Pi Automatic switchboards and exchan es may also incorporate such facilities as abbreviated dialling, call waitin , call orwardmg, multi-party calling, voice mail, etc. These facilities are accessed rom the user's telephone set through the telephone network. f f They are used for the public network or for rivate networks that utilise a private branch exchange (PBX) which is connectel to the public network. Automatic switchboards and exchanges may also be equipped with consoles similar to telephone sets for when intervention or service by an operator is required. (2) Non-automatic switchboards and exchanges. These consist of a frame on which are mounted the various manual switchin devices. They require an operator to manually connect each call received by the switc board or exchange. They comprise "call" or "clear" indicators for sipalling that a call is being made or is completed; operators' tele hone sets (sometimes specially mounted); switching devices (mounted jacks or soc ets and plugs connected to a cord); and key switches electrically connected to the plu s and cords to enable the operator to answer the caller, supervise the progress of the ca 1 and note its completion. f~ ! f (F) Transmitting and receiving apparatus for radio-telephony and radiwtelegraphy. This group includes : (I) Fixed apparatus for radio-telephony and radio-telegraphy (transmitters, receivers and transmitter-receivers). Certain types, used mainly in large installations, include special devices such as secrecy devices (e.g., spectrum mverters), multiplex devices (used for sending more than two messages simultaneously) and certain receivers, termed "divers~tyreceivers", using multiple receiver technique to overcome fading. (2) Radio transmitters and radio receivers for simultaneous interpretation at multilingual conferences. (3) Automatic transmitters and special receivers for distress signals from ships, aircraft, etc. (4) Transmitters, receivers or transmitter/receivers of telemetric signals. (5) Radio-telephony apparatus, including radio-telephony receivers, for motor vehicles, ships, aircraft, trains, etc. (6) Portable receivers, usually battery operated, for example, portable receivers for calling, alerting or paging. (G) Other communication apparatus. This group includes a paratus which allows for the connection to a wired or wireless communication networ or the transmission or reception of speech or other sounds, images or other data within such a network. 1: Communication networks include, inter alia, carrier-current line systems, digital-line systems and combinations thereof. The may be confi ed, for exam le, as public switched tele hone networks, Local Area ehvorks ( ~ ~ N $ P I ~ e t r o ~ o l i tea a nNetworks (MAN) and ide Area Networks (WAN), whether proprietary or open architecture. ;e K A: This group includes : (1) Network interface cards (e.g., Ethernet interface cards). (2) Modems (combined modulators-demodulators). (3) Routers, bridges, hubs, repeaters and channel to channel adaptors. (4) Multiplexers and related line equipment (e.g., transmitters, receivers or electro-optical converters). (5) Codecs (data compressors/decomp~essors)which have the capability of transmission and reception of digital information. (6) Pulse to tone converters which convert pulse dialled signals to tone signals. PARTS Sub'ect to the general provisions regarding the classification of parts (see the General Exp anatory Note to Section XVI), parts of the apparatus of this heading are also classified here. The heading also excludes : (a) Facsimile machines (heading 84.43). (b) Perforating machines, whether or not electric, used to perforate paper bands ready for use in automatic telegraphic apparatus (heading 84.72). (c) Induction coils for insertion in telephone or telegraph line circuits (heading 85.04). (d) Cells, batteries and accumulators (heading 85.06 or 85.07). (e) Telephone answering machines designed to operate with a telephone set but not forming an integral part of the set (head~ng85.19). (f) Apparatus for the transmission or reception of radio-broadcasting or television signals (headings 85.25,85.27 or 85.28). (g) Electric bells or indicators (e.g., luminous indicators operated by the dial of a telephone) (heading 85.31). (h) Relays and switching equipment, such as selectors for automatic telephone exchanges, of heading 85.36. (ij) Insulated electric wire, cable, etc., as well as optical fibre cables, made up of individually sheathed fibres, whether or not fitted with connectors, including cords with plugs for switchboards (heading 85.44). (k) Telecommunication satellites (heading 88.02) (1) Telephone call registers and counters (Chapter 90). (m) Carrier-current and other transmitters and receivers which form a single unit with analogue or digital telemetering instruments or apparatus, or which, together with the latter, constitute a functional unit within the meaning of Note 3 to Chapter 90 (Chapter 90). (n) Calculographs (time recorders) (heading 91.06).
Notes. 1.- This Chapter does not cover : (a) Electrically warmed blankets, bed pads, foot-muffs or the like; electrically warmed clothing, footwear or ear pads or other electrically warmed articles worn on or about the person; (b) Articles of glass of heading 70.11; (c) Machines and apparatus of heading 84.86; (d) Vacuum apparatus of a kind used in medical, surgical, dental or veterinary sciences (heading 90.18); or (e) Electrically heated furniture of Chapter 94. 2.- Headings 85.01 to 85.04 do not apply to goods described in heading 85.11, 85.12, 85.40, 85.41 or 85.42. However, metal tank mercury arc rectifiers remain classified in heading 85.04. 3.- For the purposes of heading 85.07, the expression “electric accumulators” includes those presented with ancillary components which contribute to the accumulator’s function of storing and supplying energy or protect it from damage, such as electrical connectors, temperature control devices (for example, thermistors) and circuit protection devices. They may also include a portion of the protective housing of the goods in which they are to be used. 4.- Heading 85.09 covers only the following electro-mechanical machines of the kind commonly used for domestic purposes : (a) Floor polishers, food grinders and mixers, and fruit or vegetable juice extractors, of any weight; (b) Other machines provided the weight of such machines does not exceed 20 kg. The heading does not, however, apply to fans or ventilating or recycling hoods incorporating a fan, whether or not fitted with filters (heading 84.14), centrifugal clothes-dryers (heading 84.21), dish washing machines (heading 84.22), household washing machines (heading 84.50), roller or other ironing machines (heading 84.20 or 84.51), sewing machines (heading 84.52), electric scissors (heading 84.67) or to electro-thermic appliances (heading 85.16). 5.- For the purposes of heading 85.17, the term "smartphones” means telephones for cellular networks, equipped with a mobile operating system designed to perform the functions of an automatic data processing machine such as downloading and running multiple applications simultaneously, including third-party applications, and whether or not integrating other features such as digital cameras and navigational aid systems. 6.- For the purposes of heading 85.23 : (a) “Solid-state non-volatile storage devices” (for example, “flash memory cards” or “flash electronic storage cards”) are storage devices with a connecting socket, comprising in the same housing one or more flash memories (for example, “FLASH E2PROM”) in the form of integrated circuits mounted on a printed circuit board. They may include a controller in the form of an integrated circuit and discrete passive components, such as capacitors and resistors; (b) The term “smart cards” means cards which have embedded in them one or more electronic integrated circuits (a microprocessor, random access memory (RAM) or read-only memory (ROM)) in the form of chips. These cards may contain contacts, a magnetic stripe or an embedded antenna but do not contain any other active or passive circuit elements. 7.- For the purposes of heading 85.24, “flat panel display modules” refer to devices or apparatus for the display of information, equipped at a minimum with a display screen, which are designed to be incorporated into articles of other headings prior to use. Display screens for flat panel display modules include, but are not limited to, those which are flat, curved, flexible, foldable or stretchable in form. Flat panel display modules may incorporate additional elements, including those necessary for receiving video signals and the allocation of those signals to pixels on the display. However, heading 85.24 does not include display modules which are equipped with components for converting video signals (e.g., a scaler IC, decoder IC or application processer) or have otherwise assumed the character of goods of other headings. For the classification of flat panel display modules defined in this Note, heading 85.24 shall take precedence over any other heading in the Nomenclature. 8.- For the purposes of heading 85.34 “printed circuits” are circuits obtained by forming on an insulating base, by any printing process (for example, embossing, plating-up, etching) or by the “film circuit” technique, conductor elements, contacts or other printed components (for example, inductances, resistors, capacitors) alone or interconnected according to a pre-established pattern, other than elements which can produce, rectify, modulate or amplify an electrical signal (for example, semiconductor elements). The expression “printed circuits” does not cover circuits combined with elements other than those obtained during the printing process, nor does it cover individual, discrete resistors, capacitors or inductances. Printed circuits may, however, be fitted with non-printed connecting elements. Thin- or thick-film circuits comprising passive and active elements obtained during the same technological process are to be classified in heading 85.42. 9.- For the purpose of heading 85.36, “connectors for optical fibres, optical fibre bundles or cables” means connectors that simply mechanically align optical fibres end to end in a digital line system. They perform no other function, such as the amplification, regeneration or modification of a signal. 10.-Heading 85.37 does not include cordless infrared devices for the remote control of television receivers or other electrical equipment (heading 85.43). 11.-For the purposes of heading 85.39, the expression “light-emitting diode (LED) light sources” covers : (a) “Light-emitting diode (LED) modules” which are electrical light sources based on light-emitting diodes (LED) arranged in electrical circuits and containing further elements like electrical, mechanical, thermal or optical elements. They also contain discrete active elements, discrete passive elements, or articles of heading 85.36 or 85.42 for the purposes of providing power supply or power control. Light-emitting diode (LED) modules do not have a cap designed to allow easy installation or replacement in a luminaire and ensure mechanical and electrical contact. (b) “Light-emitting diode (LED) lamps” which are electrical light sources containing one or more LED modules containing further elements like electrical, mechanical, thermal or optical elements. The distinction between light-emitting diode (LED) modules and light-emitting diode (LED) lamps is that lamps have a cap designed to allow easy installation or replacement in a luminaire and ensure mechanical and electrical contact. 12.-For the purposes of headings 85.41 and 85.42 : (a) (i) “Semiconductor devices” are semiconductor devices the operation of which depends on variations in resistivity on the application of an electric field or semiconductor-based transducers. Semiconductor devices may also include assembly of plural elements, whether or not equipped with active and passive device ancillary functions. “Semiconductor-based transducers” are, for the purposes of this definition, semiconductor- based sensors, semiconductor-based actuators, semiconductor-based resonators and semiconductor-based oscillators, which are types of discrete semiconductor-based devices, which perform an intrinsic function, which are able to convert any kind of physical or chemical phenomena or an action into an electrical signal or an electrical signal into any type of physical phenomenon or an action. All the elements in semiconductor-based transducers are indivisibly combined, and may also include necessary materials indivisibly attached, that enable their construction or function. The following expressions mean : (1) “Semiconductor-based” means built or manufactured on a semiconductor substrate or made of semiconductor materials, manufactured by semiconductor technology, in which the semiconductor substrate or material plays a critical and unreplaceable role of transducer function and performance, and the operation of which is based on semiconductor properties including physical, electrical, chemical and optical properties. (2) “Physical or chemical phenomena” relate to phenomena, such as pressure, acoustic waves, acceleration, vibration, movement, orientation, strain, magnetic field strength, electric field strength, light, radioactivity, humidity, flow, chemicals concentration, etc. (3) “Semiconductor-based sensor” is a type of semiconductor device, which consists of microelectronic or mechanical structures that are created in the mass or on the surface of a semiconductor and that have the function of detecting physical or chemical quantities and converting these into electric signals caused by resulting variations in electric properties or displacement of a mechanical structure. (4) “Semiconductor-based actuator” is a type of semiconductor device, which consists of microelectronic or mechanical structures that are created in the mass or on the surface of a semiconductor and that have the function of converting electric signals into physical movement. (5) “Semiconductor-based resonator” is a type of semiconductor device, which consists of microelectronic or mechanical structures that are created in the mass or on the surface of a semiconductor and that have the function of generating a mechanical or electrical oscillation of a predefined frequency that depends on the physical geometry of these structures in response to an external input. (6) “Semiconductor-based oscillator” is a type of semiconductor device, which consists of microelectronic or mechanical structures that are created in the mass or on the surface of a semiconductor and that have the function of generating a mechanical or electrical oscillation of a predefined frequency that depends on the physical geometry of these structures. (ii) “Light-emitting diodes (LED)” are semiconductor devices based on semiconductor materials which convert electrical energy into visible, infra-red or ultra-violet rays, whether or not electrically connected among each other and whether or not combined with protective diodes. Light-emitting diodes (LED) of heading 85.41 do not incorporate elements for the purposes of providing power supply or power control; (b) “Electronic integrated circuits” are : (i) Monolithic integrated circuits in which the circuit elements (diodes, transistors, resistors, capacitors, inductances, etc.) are created in the mass (essentially) and on the surface of a semiconductor or compound semiconductor material (for example, doped silicon, gallium arsenide, silicon germanium, indium phosphide) and are inseparably associated; (ii) Hybrid integrated circuits in which passive elements (resistors, capacitors, inductances, etc.), obtained by thin- or thick-film technology, and active elements (diodes, transistors, monolithic integrated circuits, etc.), obtained by semiconductor technology, are combined to all intents and purposes indivisibly, by interconnections or interconnecting cables, on a single insulating substrate (glass, ceramic, etc.). These circuits may also include discrete components; (iii) Multichip integrated circuits consisting of two or more interconnected monolithic integrated circuits combined to all intents and purposes indivisibly, whether or not on one or more insulating substrates, with or without leadframes, but with no other active or passive circuit elements. (iv) Multi-component integrated circuits (MCOs) : a combination of one or more monolithic, hybrid, or multi-chip integrated circuits with at least one of the following components : silicon-based sensors, actuators, oscillators, resonators or combinations thereof, or components performing the functions of articles classifiable under heading 85.32, 85.33, 85.41, or inductors classifiable under heading 85.04, formed to all intents and purposes indivisibly into a single body like an integrated circuit, as a component of a kind used for assembly onto a printed circuit board (PCB) or other carrier, through the connecting of pins, leads, balls, lands, bumps, or pads. For the purpose of this definition : 1. “Components” may be discrete, manufactured independently then assembled onto the rest of the MCO, or integrated into other components. 2. “Silicon based” means built on a silicon substrate, or made of silicon materials, or manufactured onto integrated circuit die. 3. (a) “Silicon-based sensors” consist of microelectronic or mechanical structures that are created in the mass or on the surface of a semiconductor and that have the function of detecting physical or chemical phenomena and transducing these into electric signals, caused by resulting variations in electric properties or displacement of a mechanical structure. “Physical or chemical phenomena” relates to phenomena, such as pressure, acoustic waves, acceleration, vibration, movement, orientation, strain, magnetic field strength, electric field strength, light, radioactivity, humidity, flow, chemicals concentration, etc. (b) “Silicon based actuators” consist of microelectronic and mechanical structures that are created in the mass or on the surface of a semiconductor and that have the function of converting electrical signals into physical movement. (c) “Silicon based resonators” are components that consist of microelectronic or mechanical structures that are created in the mass or on the surface of a semiconductor and have the function of generating a mechanical or electrical oscillation of a predefined frequency that depends on the physical geometry of these structures in response to an external input. (d) “Silicon based oscillators” are active components that consist of microelectronic or mechanical structures that are created in the mass or on the surface of a semiconductor and that have the function of generating a mechanical or electrical oscillation of a predefined frequency that depends on the physical geometry of these structures. For the classification of the articles defined in this Note, headings 85.41 and 85.42 shall take precedence over any other heading in the Nomenclature, except in the case of heading 85.23, which might cover them by reference to, in particular, their function. Subheading Notes. 1.- Subheading 8525.81 covers only high-speed television cameras, digital cameras and video camera recorders having one or more of the following characteristics : - writing speed exceeding 0.5 mm per microsecond; - time resolution 50 nanoseconds or less; - frame rate exceeding 225,000 frames per second. 2.- In respect of subheading 8525.82, radiation-hardened or radiation-tolerant television cameras, digital cameras and video camera recorders are designed or shielded to enable operation in a high-radiation environment. These cameras are designed to withstand a total radiation dose of at least 50 × 103 Gy(silicon) (5 × 106 RAD (silicon)), without operational degradation. 3.- Subheading 8525.83 covers night vision television cameras, digital cameras and video camera recorders which use a photocathode to convert available light to electrons, which can be amplified and converted to yield a visible image. This subheading excludes thermal imaging cameras (generally subheading 8525.89). 4.- Subheading 8527.12 covers only cassette-players with built-in amplifier, without built-in loudspeaker, capable of operating without an external source of electric power and the dimensions of which do not exceed 170 mm x 100 mm x 45 mm. 5.- For the purposes of subheadings 8549.11 to 8549.19, “spent primary cells, spent primary batteries and spent electric accumulators” are those which are neither usable as such because of breakage, cutting- up, wear or other reasons, nor capable of being recharged.