CLA-2:CO:R:C:G 081745 PAM 827611
Mr. Steven A. Hite
Managing Director
Addventures Marketing Limited
10329 S. 1540 W.
Salt Lake City, Utah 84065
RE: Tariff classification of a certain anti-static wristband
Dear Mr. Hite:
Your letter of January 7, 1988, requesting a ruling on a cer-
tain anti-static wristband from Japan has been forwarded to Head-
quarters for disposition. Our ruling on this merchandise
follows.
FACTS:
The sample submitted for analysis (which was never actually
received by this office) is referred to as a hand tooled proto-
type, made from a plastic wristwatch case, of a device designed
to eliminate static electric charges from the human body. You
state that: "[t]he configuration of the end product will only
change slightly in that there will be a different design on the
face plate." The wristband will consist of a plastic housing
with a metal plate backing, a condenser used to absorb a certain
percentage of a static electric charge and a fiber with excep-
tional static electric discharge properties.
ISSUE:
Whether this wristband qualifies as an electrical article by
virtue of its function in collecting, storing and dissipating the
charge of static electricity generated by human bodies.
-2-
LAW AND ANALYSIS:
Subheading 8543.80.90 of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of
the United States (HTSUS) provides for electrical machines and
apparatus, having individual functions, not specified or included
elsewhere in this chapter; parts thereof: other. In order to be
classified under this subheading the wristbands must perform an
electrical function. In addition to performing an electrical
function, these wristbands cannot be more specifically provided
for under a different provision of the HTSUS.
When this wristband is worn by an individual the metal plate
backing rests against the wrist and acts as an electrical conduc-
tor. Static charge is conducted by this plate to a condenser lo-
cated flush against the metal plate backing on the inside of the
plastic housing. This condenser acts as a capacitor by tempo-
rarily storing the electric charge. This charge is eventually
dissipated into the ambient atmosphere through numerous holes in
the plastic housing. Dispersion of the charge is accomplished
because of the conductive nature of a fiberous disc surrounding
the condenser.
HOLDING:
In view of the foregoing, the applicable HTSUS subheading is
8543.80.90 which provides for electrical machines and apparatus,
having individual functions, not specified or included elsewhere
in this chapter; parts thereof: other, with duty at the rate of
3.9 percent ad valorem.
The applicable item number from the Tariff Schedules of the
United States (TSUS) is 688.42 which provides for other electri-
cal articles and electrical parts of articles, not specially pro-
vided for elsewhere in the TSUS. The duty rate is 3.9 percent ad
valorem.
Sincerely,
John Durant
Acting Director
Commercial Rulings Division
6cc: Area Director, New York Seaport
2cc: Chief, CIE
1cc: John Durant
PAMartin: