CLA-2-85:RR:NC:MM:109 D82949
Mr. Leslie W. Polgar
The A.W. Fentor Company Inc.
6565 Eastland Road
Cleveland, Ohio 44142-1388
RE: The tariff classification of The Dynamic Charger battery
chargers from New Zealand
Dear Mr. Polgar:
In your letter dated September 25, 1998, you requested a
tariff classification ruling on behalf of Invacare Corporation,
Elyria, Ohio.
The merchandise is described in your letter and accompanying
literature as battery chargers for wheelchairs and scooters
designed for the handicapped. The charger is specifically
designed for use with handicapped vehicles. They are completely
automatic, and are user friendly with no switches that would
cause confusion. It is lighter in weight, using a micro-controller chip, advanced electronics and a smaller and lighter
transformer, than conventional chargers. It has special safety
features: charging current ramps up after battery is connected
eliminates risk of sparks; no voltage at output terminals when
battery is not connected; battery can be left connected
indefinitely without risk; reverse polarity and short circuit
protection; protection against over heating. It is designed for
use with 24V batteries and has standard mains socket. It also is
designed with a convenient carrying handle which allows the
handicapped person or care giver to handle and transport the unit
easily and charge the wheelchair or scooter with minimal effort.
It is designed to fit on board the wheelchair or scooter,
providing the patient with the ability to transport their charger
and charge their battery at any time during their travels. The
charger can also be mounted on the wall for stationary
installation. Input current is 3.4 Amps @ 120 Volts AC @ 60 Hz.
Output current is 7.7 Amps @ 27.0 Volts nominal.
The applicable subheading for The Dynamic Charger battery
chargers will be 8504,40,9550, Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the
United States (HTS), which provides for "[s]tatic converters:
[o]ther...[r]ectifiers and rectifying apparatus: [o]ther." The
rate of duty will be 1.8 percent ad valorem.
The Dynamic Charger battery chargers described above are
eligible for free entry in subheading 9817.00.96, under the
provision for:
Articles specially designed or adapted for the use or
benefit of the blind or other physically or mentally
handicapped persons; parts and accessories (except
parts and accessories of braces and artificial limb
prosthetics) that are specially designed or adapted for
use in the foregoing articles...
All applicable entry requirements must be met including the
filing of form ITA-362P.
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 Eileen
S. Kaplan at 212-466-5673.
Sincerely,
Robert B. Swierupski
Director,
National Commodity
Specialist Division