CLA-2-84:RR:NC:1:103 B83851
Mr. Mark Squire
Sky Shots Ltd.
5511 W. Mercury Way
Chandler, AZ 85226
RE: The tariff classification of components of an aerial
photography system from Great Britain
Dear Mr. Squire:
In your letter dated March 28, 1997 you requested a tariff
classification ruling.
Your firm intends to import several components of a system for
obtaining low altitude aerial photographs while the camera operator
remains on the ground. The system will utilize both a still and a
TV camera, as well as various mechanical and electrical components.
The still camera is mounted on an electric pan and tilt unit. A
viewdaptor is attached to the still camera's eyepiece, and a Watec
WAT202B (PAL) black/white or color TV camera featuring a 1/3-inch
CCD image sensor is, along with an electronic unit, attached to the
viewdaptor. This equipment is then mounted on a QT12/HP or
SQT15M/HP telescopic mast. The telescopic mast, which can be used
to lift a variety of equipment such as radio antennas and pollution
monitors as well as cameras, consists of a series of telescoping
tubes and a self-contained hand pump. The hand pump is used to
vertically extend the mast to a maximum height of 12 or 15 meters
respectively. The operator uses a control box, connected to the
electronic unit by a cable, to remotely pan and tilt the camera.
The cable also carries the TV image to a small LCD monitor so that
the operator can see the exact image the camera will photograph.
The still camera shutter release is then operated by pushing a
button on the control box. According to your letter the control
box, cable, and monitor will be procured domestically, while the
still camera will be supplied by the system's purchaser.
The applicable subheading for the QT12/HP and SQT15M/HP
telescopic masts will be 8428.90.0090, Harmonized Tariff Schedule
of the United States (HTS), which provides for other lifting,
handling, loading or unloading machinery: other machinery: other:
other. The duty rate will be 0.8 percent ad valorem.
The applicable subheading for the Watec WAT202B black/white or
color CCD-TV cameras will be 8525.30.90, HTS, which provides for television cameras: other. The duty rate will be 2.9 percent
ad valorem.
Your inquiry does not provide enough information for us to
give a classification ruling on tripod, field leg, and guy
assemblies, as well as the viewdaptor and pan and tilt unit.
Your request for a classification ruling should include the
following:
1. A statement as to the material(s) of which the tripod,
field leg, and guy assemblies are composed;
2. Descriptive literature explaining the nature and
operation of the viewdaptor;
3. A schematic showing the internal components of the pan
and tilt unit, along with the wattage of the motor it contains.
This ruling is being issued under the provisions of Part 177
of the Customs Regulations (19 C.F.R. 177).
A copy of the ruling or the control number indicated above
should be provided with the entry documents filed at the time
this merchandise is imported. If you have any questions
regarding the ruling, contact National Import Specialist Alan
Horowitz at 212-466-5494.
Sincerely,
Robert B. Swierupski
Chief, Metals & Machinery Branch
National Commodity
Specialist Division