N133403 December 13, 2010 CLA-2-85:OT:RR:NCN1:109 CATEGORY: Classification TARIFF NO.: 8541.90.0000 Mr. William Thomas Gould, C.C.S., CHB Attorney-in-fact for Kyocera America, Inc. 3807 W. Sierra Hwy., #6 PMB 4617 Acton, CA 93510-1256 RE: The tariff classification and status under the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) for ceramic microelectronic packages from Mexico Dear Mr. Gould: In your letter dated November 17, 2010 you requested a determination as to the classification and eligibility of NAFTA duty free preferential treatment on behalf of your client, Kyocera America, Inc., regarding ceramic microelectronic packages that they will import from Mexico. You provided a sample of one of the ceramic microelectronic packages along with a flowchart and all of the components that are utilized during the production. The components that were furnished were a representation of each at various stages of production up to the completed ceramic microelectronic package. The ceramic microelectronic package, various components and the flowchart are being returned to you as per your request. The merchandise subject to this ruling is a ceramic microelectronic package. The ceramic microelectronic package is utilized by Kyocera’s customers to produce semiconductors. Essentially, the ceramic microelectronic package is the base upon which diodes, transistors, or other semiconductor devices would be built onto. Those semiconductors will ultimately be used in microwave and radio-frequency devices, cellular communications, computers, and many other electronic products. The ceramic microelectronic packages are produced in Mexico from originating materials from the United States and non-originating material from Japan. The originating materials from the United States are a 2-piece braze of copper/silver, a metalized ceramic frame of beryllium oxide or aluminum oxide and nickel plating, a 1-piece braze frame of copper/silver, and gold plating. The non-originating material from Japan is a lead frame of ferrous nickel, a metalized ceramic frame of molimanganese paste/ink, and a flange of copper nickel-plating. All of the production for the ceramic microelectronic package is performed in Mexico utilizing the above mentioned originating and non-originating materials. The manufacturing process that occurs in Mexico is as follows: The process begins with the raw ceramic frame upon which the molimanganese paste/ink is directly applied using a screen printing process. Portions of the frame are nickel plated. The assembly is put together using the lead frame made from ferrous nickel, the two small pieces of braze, the metalized ceramic frame, the one-piece braze frame, and the flange. The components are heated to 900° and brazed together. The assembly is then plated in gold. The excess material (the frame that holds the leads) is trimmed from the ceramic microelectronic package/assembly. The gold from the excess material is re-claimed. The final ceramic microelectronic package is imported into the United States by Kyocera America, Inc. As a result of the manufacturing process in Mexico, the finished ceramic microelectronic packages are shipped to Kyocera’s customers in the United States. Kyocera’s customers further manufacture them into diodes, transistors, or other semiconductor devices, utilizing the ceramic microelectronic packages as the base upon which to build the diodes, transistors, or other semiconductor devices. The applicable tariff provision for the ceramic microelectronic package will be 8541.90.0000, Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States Annotated (HTSUSA), which provides for “Diodes, transistors and similar semiconductor devices; ...parts thereof: Parts..” The general rate of duty will be free Duty rates are provided for your convenience and are subject to change. The text of the most recent HTSUS and the accompanying duty rates are provided on World Wide Web at http://www.usitc.gov/tata/hts/. The ceramic microelectronic package was produced from originating and non-originating goods. However, the non-originating materials used in the production of the ceramic microelectronic package is not required to undergo a change in tariff classification in Mexico, as described in subdivision (r), (s), and (t) of General Note 12 (b) (ii) (B), [specifically GN 12 (b) (ii) (B) (t) Chapter 85, Chapter rule 5, 142.], which states: “No required change in tariff classification to any of subheadings 8541.10 through 8542.90.” As such, the ceramic microelectronic package will be entitled to NAFTA duty free preferential treatment upon compliance with all applicable laws, regulations, and agreements. This ruling is being issued under the provisions of Part 181 of the Customs Regulations (19 C.F.R. 181). 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 Linda M. Hackett at (646) 733-3015. Sincerely, Robert B. Swierupski Director National Commodity Specialist Division


The tariff classification of equipment used in the manufacture of solar modules from Germany


The tariff classification of a Molybdenum Crucible from Austria.


The tariff classification of replacement mandrels from China


N186777 October 28, 2011 CLA-2-85:OT:RR:NC:N1:109 CATEGORY: Classification TARIFF NO.: 8542.39.0000 Mr. Joseph Kim Director, Global Trade Compliance Xilinx, Inc. 2100 Logic Drive San Jose, CA 95124 RE: The tariff classification of a Xilinx® Kintex™-7 410 from an unspecified country Dear Mr. Kim: In your letter dated September 29, 2011, you requested a tariff classification ruling. The merchandise subject to this ruling is a Xilinx® Kintex™-7 410. The Xilinx® Kintex™-7 410 is part of the family of products of Xilinx® Series 7 FPGAs (Field Programmable Gate Arrays). All model types in the family of products exhibit the same essential features and employ the same procedures in their production. The Series 7 FPGAs, specifically the Xilinx® Kintex™-7 410, provide a range of features including advanced high-performance FPGA logic based on real 6-input lookup table (LUT) technology configurable as distributed memory, digital signal processor (DSP) slices for limited computational functions, configurable memory, high-performance I/O (input/output) to support DDR3 interfaces up to 1,866 Mb/s, high-speed serial connectivity transceivers to handle up to 28.05 Gb/s, interface for PCI Express®, 12-bit 1MSPS analog-to-digital converters, and support options for commodity memory, encryption, and error. The Xilinx® Series 7 FPGA does not contain all necessary features to become a self-contained end-use device. Instead, it must be placed on a system board of a system that the Xilinx® Series 7 FPGA will function as a part of. The Xilinx® Kintex™-7 410 consists primarily of three main components, the insulating substrate incorporating passive elements obtained by thin-film technology, a monolithic integrated circuit obtained from semiconductor technology, and discrete components, specifically capacitors and resistors. The monolithic integrated circuit, capacitors and resistors are all mounted on the same insulating substrate upon which the thin-film technology has been formed. The insulating substrate used to develop the Xilinx® Kintex™-7 410 is an organic build-up type of epoxy-core and ABF-film (Ajinomoto Build-up Film, a dielectric build up), which is drilled, plated, and etched. It is made up of a core layer comprising the core material, a plated through hole (PTH) via (the via is an electrical pathway), a PTH fill material placed within the PTH, and a PTH pad layer placed on the front and back of the core material. Upon the insulating substrate, layers of dielectric material and copper traces are deposited and then etched to create the front Build Up (BU) layer above the insulating substrate and the back BU layer below the insulating substrate, which function as the passive elements. The function of the passive elements, i.e., resistors, inductors, capacitors, and impedance elements, provided by the BU layers, furnish the necessary electric characteristics to enable the Xilinx® Kintex™-7 410 to perform as designed. The ABF-film is repeatedly laminated and via built-up, using thin-film deposition and plating, symmetrically on both sides of the core. The presence of various materials and the positioning of the traces within the BU layers govern the resistance, inductance, capacitance, and impedance that the digital signals experience. Therefore, the design of the insulating substrate and BU dielectric layers with correct thin-film metallization (or plating), lamination, and etching processes are critical in achieving the desired electrical and performance results. The thin-film metallization used to create copper traces is a method of plating the copper onto dielectric material using the thin-film deposition technique. The resulting copper trace layers are thin films created by thin-film technology. These traces and dielectric material layers form the circuitry that interconnects the digital signals traveling between the silicon die and the system board of which the Xilinx® Kintex™-7 410 will become a part of. These thin-film BU layers are different from standard printed circuit board layers, which are constructed from fiberglass dielectric and laminated copper layers. A monolithic integrated circuit, an active component, is interconnected to and mounted on the thin-film circuit through microvias between copper layers and through the “bumps” on top of the substrate. Once mounted, the monolithic integrated circuit, the BU layers, and the insulating substrate are combined to all intents and purposes indivisibly. The Xilinx® Kintex™-7 410 also incorporates discrete passive components, specifically capacitors and resistors, which are fixed onto the substrate and are visible on the packing of this FPGA. Based on the method of manufacture, the Xilinx® Kintex™-7 410 meets the definition of a hybrid integrated circuit in accordance with Note 8 (b) (ii) to Chapter 85 and is classifiable within heading 8542. The classification of integrated circuits at the subheading level is based on its function. The Xilinx® Kintex™-7 410 is a FPGA. A FPGA is a type of integrated circuit that can be reprogrammed to a desired application or functionality requirement after the manufacturing of the integrated circuit. This feature distinguishes FPGAs from Application Specific Integrated circuits (ASICs), which are custom manufactured for specific design tasks. However, FPGAs can be used to implement any function that an ASIC could perform. As such, the Xilinx® Kintex™-7 410 does not have one specific function. The applicable subheading for the Xilinx® Kintex™-7 410, which is among the Xilinx® Series 7 FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array) family of products, will be 8542.39.0000, Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS), which provides for "Electronic integrated circuits: Other." The rate of duty will be free. Duty rates are provided for your convenience and are subject to change. The text of the most recent HTSUS and the accompanying duty rates are provided on World Wide Web at http://www.usitc.gov/tata/hts/. 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 Linda M. Hackett at (646) 733-3015. Sincerely, Robert B. Swierupski Director National Commodity Specialist Division


N186896 October 28, 2011 CLA-2-85:OT:RR:NC:N1:109 CATEGORY: Classification TARIFF NO.: 8542.33.0000 Mr. Michael E. Roll Pisani & Roll LLP Attorneys at Law 1875 Century Park East, Suite 600 Los Angeles, CA 90067 RE: The tariff classification of a hybrid module from an unspecified country Dear Mr. Roll: In your letter dated September 30, 2011, you requested a tariff classification ruling, on behalf of your client, Bourns, Inc. The merchandise subject to this ruling is a hybrid module. The hybrid module is a hybrid integrated circuit identified as Part Number N6584LF. It is a 12.5 gigabyte per second NRZ modulator driver/amplifier for metro and long haul LiNbO3 optical transmitters. This hybrid module is used to amplify the data signal between a transmitter's MUX and an optical modulator. The N6584Lf's wide output amplitude range allows it to properly drive either Electro Absorption (EA) or Mach-Zehnder (MZ) modulators. It includes essential features, such as MSA-compatible supply voltages, lower power dissipation, high input sensitivity, low jitter degradation, and the ability to precisely set the output amplitude and eye crossing point. The manufacturing process of this hybrid module begins with a ceramic insulating substrate. A thick film circuit is formed directly on the insulating substrate. The thick film technology used to for the film circuit allowed two thick film resistors, which are passive elements, to be created directly on the insulating substrate via a series of screen printing processes at the same time that the thick film circuit was formed on the same insulating substrate. The screen printing process forces ink onto a surface through a prepared screen of fine material so as to create a picture or pattern. Two gallium arsenide (GaAs) custom monolithic microwave integrated circuits (MMIC), active components, created through semiconductor technology were mounted onto the insulating substrate and combined to all intents and purposes indivisibly on the same single insulating substrate. There were also fourteen additional discrete passive elements added onto the same insulating substrate. Based on the method of manufacture, the hybrid module (Part Number N6584LF) meets the definition of a hybrid integrated circuit in accordance with Note 8 (b) (ii) to Chapter 85. As it is used to amplify data signals, it is an amplifying hybrid integrated circuit. The applicable subheading for the hybrid module (Part Number N6584LF) will be 8542.33.0000, Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS), which provides for "Electronic integrated circuits: Amplifiers." The rate of duty will be free. Duty rates are provided for your convenience and are subject to change. The text of the most recent HTSUS and the accompanying duty rates are provided on World Wide Web at http://www.usitc.gov/tata/hts/. 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 Linda M. Hackett at (646) 733-3015. Sincerely, Robert B. Swierupski Director National Commodity Specialist Division


The tariff classification of lithium metal from China

rare earth metal
scandium metal
yttrium metal


N214380 May 8, 2012 CLA-2-84:OT:RR:NC:1:104 CATEGORY: Classification TARIFF NO.: 8486.90.0000; 9801.00.10 Mr. Edward F. Juliano, Jr. 303 Wyman Street Suite 300 Waltham, MA 02451 RE: The tariff classification of a Droplet Generator and a Tin Droplet Catcher from the United States Dear Mr. Juliano: In your letter dated April 14, 2012 on behalf of Cymer, Inc. you requested a tariff classification ruling. The Droplet Generator and Tin Droplet Catcher are components of an Extreme Ultraviolet (“EUV”) Scanner designed for semiconductor lithography. The EUV Scanner uses light which is created by converting microscopic droplets of molten tin into a plasma which emits EUV light at 13.5 nanometers. Pulses of amplified infrared (“IR”) light are introduced into the scanner's vacuum chamber and are focused upon a selected number of the tin droplets. This action creates the plasma and EUV light. The EUV light emitted from the plasma is then directed to expose EUV sensitive photoresist patterns on silicon wafers within the Scanner. The Droplet Generator consists of a titanium vessel, heaters, thermocouples, flange, nozzle connection, titanium gland, wiring and a handle. Its rods of tin are heated to specific temperatures to liquefy the tin. The liquid tin is then pressurized with an inert gas that expels droplets of the liquid tin through the nozzle. An electric voltage is applied to the nozzle to help form a stream of well defined droplets. The Droplet Generator emits 50,000 microscopic droplets of “fuel” into the vacuum chamber of the EUV Scanner per second. At present, the fuel is liquefied tin. The Tin Droplet Catcher collects excess tin droplets that enter the vacuum chamber from the Droplet Generator but which are not converted to plasma. It consists of two nested vessels, i.e., an inner vessel which captures the unused droplets and an outer vessel which captures droplets displaced from the droplet stream by the IR light. The Tin Droplet Catcher is generally located opposite to the Droplet Generator on the Vacuum Chamber. It operates at a high temperature in order to prevent the formation of tin residues on its interior surfaces. The applicable subheading for the Droplet Generator and Tin Droplet Catcher will be 8486.90.0000, Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS), which provides for “Machines and apparatus of a kind used solely or principally for the manufacture of semiconductor boules or wafers, semiconductor devices, electronic integrated circuits or flat panel displays; machines and apparatus specified in Note 9 (C) to this chapter; parts and accessories: Parts and accessories”. The general rate of duty will be free. In your letter you state that this merchandise is of United States origin and will periodically be returned, from unspecified countries, to the United States for refurbishment purposes. Please note that United States manufactured products are entitled to enter free of duty as American goods returned, upon compliance with Section 10.1, Customs Regulations (19 C.F.R. §10.1). Heading 9801, HTSUS, allows products of the United States when returned after having been exported, without having been advanced in value or improved in condition by any process of manufacture or other means while abroad, to be entered free of duty. Regarding the applicability of heading 9801, HTSUS, if the Droplet Generator and Tin Droplet Catcher meet the criteria listed above, the merchandise may be eligible for duty exemption under subheading 9801.00.10, HTSUS. Duty rates are provided for your convenience and are subject to change. The text of the most recent HTSUS and the accompanying duty rates are provided on World Wide Web at http://www.usitc.gov/tata/hts/. 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 Patricia O'Donnell at (646) 733-3011. Sincerely, Thomas J. Russo Director National Commodity Specialist Division


N214738 May 21, 2012 CLA-2-85:OT:RR:NC:N1:109 CATEGORY: Classification TARIFF NO.: 8541.60.00 8536.50.7000 Mr. Mahesh Karanth enLighted, Incorporated 930 Benecia Avenue Sunnyvale, CA 94085 RE: The tariff classification of a sensor module-wireless, wireless light sensor unit, ZE8, RoHS, a sensor module-wireless, wireless light sensor unit, ZE8, High Bay, RoHS, and a meter pack lighting control, ZE8, RoHS from China Dear Mr. Karanth: In your letter dated April 20, 2012 you requested a tariff classification ruling. The merchandise subject to this ruling is a sensor module-wireless, wireless light sensor unit, ZE8, RoHS, a sensor module-wireless, wireless light sensor unit, ZE8, High Bay, RoHS, and a meter pack for lighting control, ZE8, RoHS. The sensor module-wireless, wireless light sensor unit, ZE8, RoHS is contained in a hard plastic shell case which houses a passive infrared (PIR) sensor, ambient sensor, temperature sensor and an optical lens. The main function of the sensor module-wireless, wireless light sensor unit, ZE8, RoHS is to save electrical energy by dynamically optimizing light levels utilizing occupancy information and daylight harvesting. The sensor module-wireless, wireless light sensor unit, ZE8, High Bay, RoHS is contained in a hard plastic shell case and contains the same technology as the sensor module-wireless, wireless light sensor unit, ZE8, RoHS. However, the sensor module-wireless, wireless light sensor unit, ZE8, High Bay, RoHS is made to be applied to ceilings of 30’ or higher. The meter pack lighting control, ZE8, RoHS consists of a printed circuit board (PCB) populated with active and passive semiconductor components, central processor unit (CPU) logic chip, a metal-oxide varistor and an electromechanical relay rated for 5 amps (A) at 120-277 volts alternating current (VAC). The relay is controlled by the CPU, which communicates with sensors via optically coupled input and output optocouplers. The lighting control is installed in-line between the load or supply power and dimming ballast in a fluorescent light fixture. This electronic switch provides on/off power to the light fixture as instructed by the CPU. The applicable subheading for the sensor module-wireless, wireless light sensor unit, ZE8, RoHS, and the sensor module-wireless, wireless light sensor unit, ZE8, High Bay, RoHS will be 8541.60.00, Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS), which provides for “Mounted piezoelectric crystals.” The rate of duty will be free. The applicable subheading for the meter pack lighting control, ZE8, RoHS will be 8536.50.7000, HTSUS, which provides for “Electrical apparatus for switching or protecting electrical circuits, or for making connections to or in electrical circuits (for example, switches, relays…) for a voltage not exceeding 1,000 V…: Other switches: Other: Electronic AC switches...” The rate of duty will be free. Duty rates are provided for your convenience and are subject to change. The text of the most recent HTSUS and the accompanying duty rates are provided on World Wide Web at http://www.usitc.gov/tata/hts/. 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 Linda M. Hackett at (646) 733-3015. Sincerely, Thomas J. Russo Director National Commodity Specialist Division


N214920 May 7, 2012 CLA-2-85:OT:RR:NC:N1:108 CATEGORY: Classification TARIFF NO.: 8523.51.0000 Ms. Angela Olson Medtronic, Inc. 710 Medtronic Parkway NE Minneapolis, MN 55432 RE: The tariff classification of a recorded USB flash drive Dear Ms. Olson: In your letter dated April 17, 2012, you requested a tariff classification ruling on a recorded USB Flash Drive, which you plan to export. The merchandise under consideration is the PNY USB Flash Disk Drive containing software, part number 69F03084-T. This recorded non-volatile storage device is available with a memory capacity of 2 GB and will initialize as Mode 3 to support programmable read/write protection. In addition, this USB flash drive, which is imported with prerecorded programmer software, is compatible with Windows® Me, Windows® 2000, Windows® XP, Windows Vista, Windows®7, and Apple Mac OS systems. The applicable subheading for the recorded USB flash drive will be 8523.51.0000, Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS), which provides for Discs, tapes, solid-state non-volatile storage devices, "smart cards" and other media for the recording of sound or of other phenomena, whether or not recorded, including matrices and masters for the production of discs, but excluding products of Chapter 37: Semiconductor media: Solid-state non-volatile storage devices. Duty rates are provided for your convenience and are subject to change. The text of the most recent HTSUS and the accompanying duty rates are provided on World Wide Web at http://www.usitc.gov/tata/hts/. 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 Lisa Cariello at (646) 733-3014. Sincerely, Thomas J. Russo Director National Commodity Specialist Division


N216101 May 17, 2012 CLA-2-85:OT:RR:NC:N1:109 CATEGORY: Classification TARIFF NO.: 8542.39.0000, 8543.70.4000 Mr. James R. Harrington Infineon Technologies N. America Corp. 640 North McCarthy Blvd. Milpitas, CA 95035 RE: The tariff classification of rotational speed sensors from Malaysia Dear Mr. Harrington: In your letter dated February 2, 2012, you requested a tariff classification ruling. The merchandise described in this ruling are Infineon rotational speed sensors. Although your letter states that you furnished samples, none were received with your submission. The sensors come in two primary variants, the family of basic speed sensor types, and the part family that adds some downstream protection against electromagnetic interference (the “EMC version” speed sensors). Both of these device types are designed to provide information about rotational speed to Anti-Lock Braking Systems (ABS) and/or to vehicle dynamics controls systems. ABS is the most common application. The sensors are placed at a vehicle's wheels. The wheels are equipped with magnetic structures that emit an alternating magnetic field for which the rate of change varies in proportion to the speed of rotation. Infineon's sensors detect these changes in magnetic flux density and convert it to a high-low electrical signal. Although the devices are sometimes referred to as “speed sensors” or “rotation sensors”, by themselves they cannot perform any of the computations necessary to generate a usable measure of rotational speed. Instead, Infineon's devices are one of several necessary elements of a vehicle's speed sensing system. After sensing the changes in magnetic flux density emanating from the separately attached structure on the rotating wheel, the electrical current in Infineon's device alternates between high and low state. This information is electrically conveyed to a control module (typically an ABS controller/computer) which processes the information from Infineon's sensors (as well as information from other types of sensors), computes the differential speed of rotation, and then according to the controller's combined inputs and programming causes various hydraulic systems to be activated (such as to modulate the flow of hydraulic fluid to the brakes in a manner so as to minimize vehicle skidding). The first variant is the Infineon PG-SSO-2-1 basic Hall Effect Speed Sensor. It consists of a monolithic integrated circuit with its leads attached. The second variant, Infineon's PG-SSO-2-2 Hall Effect Speed Sensor, provides some protection against electromagnetic interference by adding a capacitor (TLE49xxC) to the leads of the basic sensor, but otherwise identical to the basic sensor. The sole purpose of the capacitor is to reduce the effects of electromagnetic interference on the signal that has already been output by the integrated circuit head of the basic sensor in route to the external electronic control module. You have suggested that the classification of the Infineon PG-SSO-2-2 Hall Effect Speed Sensor should be Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS) subheading 8542.39.0000, which provides for “Electronic integrated circuits: Other.” However, the Infineon PG-SSO-2-2 (TLE49xxC) Hall Effect Speed Sensor is not simply a monolithic integrated circuit of heading 8542. Explanatory Note 85.42 (I) (i) states: “Monolithic integrated circuits. These are microcircuits in which the circuit elements (diodes, transistors, resistors, capacitors, inductances, etc.) are created in the mass (essentially) on the surface of a semiconductor material (doped silicon, for example) and are therefore inseparably associated. Monolithic integrated circuits may be presented: Mounted, i.e., with their terminals or leads.” While the Infineon PG-SSO-2-2 Hall Effect Speed Sensor consists of a monolithic integrated circuit with its leads attached, it also consists of a capacitor that is mounted onto the leads. The capacitor was not created in the mass at the time that the monolithic integrated circuit was created and is therefore not inseparably associated. Rather, the capacitor is a discrete component, which is indivisible and capable of being removed from the Hall Effect Speed Sensor's assembly. EN 85.42 does not provide for the presence of discrete components, such as a capacitor. This type of device is more suitably provided for elsewhere within the HTSUS. As such, subheading 8542.39.0000 is inapplicable. The applicable subheading for the Infineon PG-SSO-2-1 basic Hall Effect Speed Sensor will be 8542.39.0000, Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS), which provides for "Electronic integrated circuits: Other." The rate of duty will be free. The applicable subheading for the Infineon PG-SSO-2-2 Hall Effect Speed Sensor will be 8543.70.4000, Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS), which provides for “Electrical machines and apparatus…: Other machines and apparatus: Electric synchros and transducers;…”. The rate of duty will be 2.6 percent ad valorem. Duty rates are provided for your convenience and are subject to change. The text of the most recent HTSUS and the accompanying duty rates are provided on World Wide Web at http://www.usitc.gov/tata/hts/. 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 Linda Hackett at (646) 733-3015. Sincerely, Thomas J. Russo Director National Commodity Specialist Division


N216102 June 2, 2012 CLA-2-85:OT:RR:NC:N1:109 CATEGORY: Classification TARIFF NO.: 8542.39.0000 Ms. Suzett Lopez Custom Sensors & Technologies, Incorporated 14401 Princeton Avenue Moorpark, CA 93021 RE: The tariff classification of Hybrid-Pressure Die Assemblies (“303-“) from Mexico Dear Ms. Lopez: In your letter dated May 2, 2012 you requested a tariff classification ruling. The merchandise subject to this ruling is Hybrid-Pressure Die Assemblies (“303-“). They operate within Kavlico Corporation's “303-” product family of top level electrical pressure transducers to detect the variations of the electrical changes (resistance). These assemblies incorporate a pressure die (considered the “eyes” of the transducer) that is deflected when directly exposed to pressure via a semiconductor based diaphragm. This deflection produces a piezo-resistive effect on the material and changes the values of four resistors (passivated or etched on the semiconductor diaphragm) connected in a balanced bridge configuration. The changes in resistance of each passivated or etched resistor unbalance the bridge producing a (“raw” electrical signal) resistance output variation. This resistance variation is then detected by a microcontroller, which through embedded software interprets the resistive signal provided by the pressure die into a conditioned voltage output considered the “brain” of the transducer. The manufacturing process of the Hybrid-Pressure Die Assemblies (“303-“) begins with a ceramic insulating substrate upon which a thick film circuit is formed directly on the substrate using screen printing technology. Passive elements in the form of interconnection paths or conductors are produced at the same time as the thick film circuitry on the same insulating substrate. Discrete active components, a piezo resistive transducer (PRT) and a microcontroller (integrated circuit), and discrete passive components, a resistor and a capacitor, which were created through semiconductor technology, are mounted onto the same insulating substrate. The purpose of the interconnections of these hybrid integrated circuits is to provide electrical connectivity between the discrete active and passive components. The PRT reacts to changes in pressure and converts the pressure into resistance. The microcontroller reads the variations on resistance provided by the PRT and transforms those variations into digital signals by converting them in an analog signal (voltage). The resistors limit the electrical current directed to the microcontroller. The capacitors function as filters for the voltage that feed the microcontroller. The manner in which the Hybrid-Pressure Die Assemblies (“303-“) are manufactured meets the definition of a hybrid integrated circuit in accordance with Legal Note 8 (b) (ii) to Chapter 85 of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS). The applicable subheading for the Hybrid-Pressure Die Assemblies (“303-“) will be 8542.39.0000, Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS), which provides for "Electronic integrated circuits: Other." The general rate of duty will be free. Duty rates are provided for your convenience and are subject to change. The text of the most recent HTSUS and the accompanying duty rates are provided on World Wide Web at http://www.usitc.gov/tata/hts/. 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 Linda M. Hackett at (646) 733-3015. Sincerely, Thomas J. Russo Director National Commodity Specialist Division


N223365 July 26, 2012 CLA-2-85:OT:RR:NC:N1:109 CATEGORY: Classification TARIFF NO.: 3818.00.0090 Mr. Matthew Hamerstrom SemiNex Corporation 100 Corporate Place Peabody, MA 01960 RE: The tariff classification of indium phosphide gallium arsenide semiconductor wafers from an unspecified country Dear Mr. Hamerstrom: In your letter dated June 25, 2012, you requested a tariff classification ruling. The merchandise subject to this ruling is referred to as indium phosphide gallium arsenide semiconductor wafers. They consist of chemical elements that have been doped with silicon and zinc. The wafers have also been metalized and etched in order to prepare them to be cleaved (cut) into laser bars and laser chips. Once the wafers are diced into individual chips or bars, they will be able to convert electrical energy into infra-red light, as that of a light emitting diode (LED). In your letter you stated that subheadings 3818.00.00 and subheadings 8541.50.00 seem to be viable classification options. Subheading 3818.00.00 provides for chemical elements and compounds that have been doped for use in electronics. Subheading 8541.50.00 provides for other semiconductor devices. As determined in headquarters' ruling HQ 953265 for similar merchandise, the subject merchandise does not possess the essential character of a completed LED or any other type of semiconductor device because at its stage of advancement, upon importation, the wafers are nothing more than chemical elements that have been doped with silicon and zinc in order for the die, once the wafer is cleaved, to be used in electronics. As the wafers cannot function as LEDs or any other type of semiconductor devices in its condition as imported, classification within subheading 8541.50.00 is inapplicable. The applicable subheading for the indium phosphide gallium arsenide semiconductor wafers will be 3818.00.0090, Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS), which provides for “Chemical elements doped for use in electronics, in the form of discs, wafers, or similar forms; chemical compounds doped for use in electronics: Other.” The rate of duty will be free. Duty rates are provided for your convenience and are subject to change. The text of the most recent HTSUS and the accompanying duty rates are provided on World Wide Web at http://www.usitc.gov/tata/hts/. 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 Linda Hackett at (646) 733-3015. Sincerely, Thomas J. Russo Director National Commodity Specialist Division


The tariff classification of Coaxial Vacuum Drive Robot Assembly from an unknown country


N232638 September 21, 2012 CLA-2-84:OT:RR:NC:1:104 CATEGORY: Classification TARIFF NO.: 8486.90.0000 Mr. Edward F. Juliano, Jr. Attorney at Law 303 Wyman Street Suite 300 Waltham, MA 02451 RE: The tariff classification of a Vacuum Vessel Housing and an Elliptical Collector from The Netherlands and Germany Dear Mr. Juliano: In your letter dated August 22, 2012, on behalf of Cymer, Inc., you requested a tariff classification ruling. The Vacuum Vessel Housing and the Elliptical Collector are components of an Extreme Ultraviolet (“EUV”) Scanner designed for semiconductor lithography. The EUV Scanner uses light which is created by converting microscopic droplets of molten tin into a plasma which emits EUV light at 13.5 nanometers. Pulses of amplified infrared (“IR”) light are introduced into the scanner’s vacuum chamber and are focused upon a selected number of the tin droplets. This action creates the plasma and EUV light. The EUV light emitted from the plasma is then directed to expose EUV sensitive photoresist patterns on silicon wafers within the Scanner. The lasers used to create the amplified infrared (IR) light pulses are said to be located in a separate section of the semiconductor manufacturing plant and are not in the EUV Scanner itself. You state that the Vacuum Vessel, of which the housing in question is a part, maintains the necessary vacuum so that useable light from the plasma emissions can be collected and passed on to the rest of the scanner. The aluminum Vacuum Vessel Housing is manufactured in The Netherlands. The Elliptical Collector is manufactured in Germany from a substrate of aluminum, silicon carbide, or other materials and then coated with a series of proprietary materials and polished. It features an aperture at its center that allows the pulses of IR light to travel to the plasma ignition (ionization) point at the primary focus of the Collector. The IR light pulses strike the droplets of tin and create EUV light. The Elliptical Collector collects and focuses the EUV light resulting from the plasma to the corresponding secondary focus of the Elliptical Collector, also known as the intermediate focus. From there, the EUV light is directed to expose EUV sensitive photoresist patterns on the silicon wafers within the EUV Scanner. The applicable subheading for the Vacuum Vessel Housing and the Elliptical Collector will be 8486.90.0000, Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS), which provides for “Machines and apparatus of a kind used solely or principally for the manufacture of semiconductor boules or wafers, semiconductor devices, electronic integrated circuits or flat panel displays; machines and apparatus specified in Note 9 (C) to this chapter; parts and accessories: Parts and accessories”. The rate of duty will be free. Duty rates are provided for your convenience and are subject to change. The text of the most recent HTSUS and the accompanying duty rates are provided on World Wide Web at http://www.usitc.gov/tata/hts/. 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 Patricia O’Donnell at (646) 733-3011. Sincerely, Thomas J. Russo Director National Commodity Specialist Division


N239347 April 4, 2013 CLA-2-84:OT:RR:NC:1:104 CATEGORY: Classification TARIFF NO.: 8486.20.0000 Mr. Scott Gorton Precursor Energetics, Inc. 3221 Scott Boulevard Santa Clara, CA 95054 RE: The tariff classification of a selenium deposition system from The Netherlands Dear Mr. Gorton: In your letter dated February 15, 2013 and received by this office on March 7, 2013, you requested a tariff classification ruling. The selenium deposition system deposits selenium from a vapor form onto photovoltaic substrates. The system design is for the production of only CIGS thin film photovoltaic cells. The unit is not designed for large scale industrial production but rather for laboratory use. You state that the system is complete at time of importation. The applicable subheading for the selenium deposition system, as described above, will be 8486.20.0000, Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS), which provides for “Machines and apparatus of a kind used solely or principally for the manufacture of semiconductor boules or wafers, semiconductor devices, electronic integrated circuits or flat panel displays; machines and apparatus specified in Note 9 (C) to this chapter; parts and accessories: Machines and apparatus for the manufacture of semiconductor devices or of electronic integrated circuits”. The rate of duty will be Free. Duty rates are provided for your convenience and are subject to change. The text of the most recent HTSUS and the accompanying duty rates are provided on World Wide Web at http://www.usitc.gov/tata/hts/. 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 Patricia O'Donnell at (646) 733-3011. Sincerely, Thomas J. Russo Director National Commodity Specialist Division


N240072 April 24, 2013 CLA-2-84:OT:RR:NC:1:104 CATEGORY: Classification TARIFF NO.: 8486.20.0000 Mr. Robert F. Sinatra Raith USA Inc. 2805 Veterans Hwy. Suite 23 Ronkonkoma, NY 11779 RE: The tariff classification of an electron beam lithography system from Germany Dear Mr. Sinatra: In your letter dated March 26, 2013, you requested a tariff classification ruling. The Pioneer is a compact electron beam lithography (“EBL”) system designed for high resolution patterning of semiconductor wafer materials. It is a direct electron-beam write-on apparatus for the drawing of circuit patterns onto wafers coated with sensitized semiconductor materials. This EBL/SEM (“scanning electron microscope”) hybrid system for these semiconductor nanostructures is capable of fabrication, i.e., lithography, as well as imaging (electron microscopy), metrology (measurements using laser interferometer stage), X-ray spectrometer and energy dispersive microanalysis. No specialized wafer lifting, handling, loading or unloading equipment is included. Customers supply their own wafer handling equipment based upon their own methods/devices. The turnkey EBL system is complete at time of importation. The applicable subheading for the Pioneer electron beam lithography system will be 8486.20.0000, Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS), which provides for Machines and apparatus of a kind used solely or principally for the manufacture of semiconductor boules or wafers, semiconductor devices, electronic integrated circuits or flat panel displays; machines and apparatus specified in Note 9 (C) to this chapter; parts and accessories: Machines and apparatus for the manufacture of semiconductor devices or of electronic integrated circuits. The rate of duty will be free. Duty rates are provided for your convenience and are subject to change. The text of the most recent HTSUS and the accompanying duty rates are provided on World Wide Web at http://www.usitc.gov/tata/hts/. 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 Patricia O'Donnell at (646) 733-3011. Sincerely, Thomas J. Russo Director National Commodity Specialist Division


The tariff classification of an IonScan Basic System from Germany


N241695 June 6, 2013 CLA-2-84:OT:RR:NC:1:104 CATEGORY: Classification TARIFF NO.: 8486.90.0000 Mr. Edward F. Juliano, Jr. Attorney At Law 303 Wyman Street, Suite 300 Waltham, MA 02451 RE: The tariff classification of an Extreme Ultraviolet Light Source from various countries Dear Mr. Juliano, Jr.: In your letter dated May 3, 2013 on behalf of Cymer, Inc. (“Cymer”), you requested a tariff classification ruling. The Extreme Ultraviolet (“EUV”) Light Source Model HVM II (“EUV Light Source”) is said to be “designed, manufactured and used exclusively with an EUV Scanner for semiconductor photolithography”. The function of the EUV Light Source is to generate light at 13.5 nanometers in order to expose patterns on semiconductor wafers within the EUV Scanner. The components of the EUV Light Source are described as follows: The Drive Laser, which includes subsystems such as control cabinets, RF cabinets and a heat exchanger unit, generates pulses of amplified infrared light using radiofrequency energy to excite carbon dioxide gas. The infrared light generated by the Drive Laser is amplified and then enters the Beam Transport System. The Beam Transport System consists of sealed beam tubes and turning mirrors that transmit pulses of infrared light to the Vacuum Vessel. The EUV Light Source contains two Laser Metrology Systems. One system is located inside the laser for measuring beam properties exiting the laser. The second system is at the Vacuum Vessel to measure beam properties entering the Vacuum Vessel. and The Vacuum Vessel which maintains the necessary vacuum so that useable light from the plasma emissions can be collected and passed on to the rest of the scanner. The Vacuum Vessel assembly is manufactured by Cymer in the United States. The Drive Laser, the Laser Metrology System and the Beam Transport System are manufactured by an unrelated company in Germany. You have requested a ruling as to the tariff classification of this merchandise under the following two scenarios: A complete light source, i.e., the Vacuum Vessel, the Drive Laser, the Beam Transport System and the Laser Metrology System, is imported in one shipment from a customer's site in a third country. An incomplete light source consisting of the Drive Laser, the Beam Transport System and the Laser Metrology System, imported together from Germany. These components will be assembled with the Vacuum Vessel at Cymer, Inc.'s facility in California to form a complete EUV Light Source. The complete Light Source will then be shipped to ASML in the Netherlands for integration with the balance of the 3300B EUV Scanner. In your request, you suggest that the EUV Light Source, as described in both scenarios (A) and (B), be classified in subheading 8486.20.0000, Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS), which provides for “Machines and apparatus of a kind used solely or principally for the manufacture of semiconductor boules or wafers, semiconductor devices, electronic integrated circuits or flat panel displays; machines and apparatus specified in Note 9 (C) to this chapter; parts and accessories: Machines and apparatus for the manufacture of semiconductor devices or of electronic integrated circuits”. In the alternative, you suggest classification in subheading 8486.90.0000, HTSUS, which provides for “Machines and apparatus of a kind used solely or principally for the manufacture of semiconductor boules or wafers, semiconductor devices, electronic integrated circuits or flat panel displays; machines and apparatus specified in Note 9 (C) to this chapter; parts and accessories: Parts and accessories”. Despite its size and complexity, the EUV Light Source is neither a machine in and of itself nor do the components, as imported in either scenario (A) or (B), comprise an incomplete machine having the essential character of a complete scanner. The submitted data contains no indication that the EUV Light Source is (1) commonly or commercially known as a machine or (2) advertised/marketed or sold as a machine. Thus, classification in subheading 8486.20.0000, HTSUS, would not be appropriate. The applicable subheading for the Extreme Ultraviolet Light Source Model HVM II, as described above in scenarios (A) and (B), will be 8486.90.0000, Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS), which provides for “Machines and apparatus of a kind used solely or principally for the manufacture of semiconductor boules or wafers, semiconductor devices, electronic integrated circuits or flat panel displays; machines and apparatus specified in Note 9 (C) to this chapter; parts and accessories: Parts and accessories”. The rate of duty will be free. Duty rates are provided for your convenience and are subject to change. The text of the most recent HTSUS and the accompanying duty rates are provided on World Wide Web at http://www.usitc.gov/tata/hts/. 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 Patricia O'Donnell at (646) 733-3011. Sincerely, Thomas J. Russo Director National Commodity Specialist Division


The tariff classification of Custom Precision Positioning Stages from Switzerland


The tariff classification of a Heater Jacket Assembly from Japan


N247582 December 3, 2013 CLA-2-84:OT:RR:NC:1:104 CATEGORY: Classification TARIFF NO.: 8486.20.0000 Glen L. Overstreet KSI Corporation 839 Mitten Road Burlingame, CA 94010 RE: The tariff classification of a DC Power Supply from Southeast Asia Dear Mr. Overstreet: In your letter dated November 5, 2013, on behalf of your client Applied Materials, Inc., you requested a tariff classification ruling. You state that the DC Power Supply, part number 0190-42820, is designed “for sole use” in the Applied Materials EPI semiconductor wafer processing tool. The EPI tool is designed to deposit an epitaxial dielectric film layer on semiconductor wafer devices. The DC Power Supply consists of an AC/DC rectifier power supply, circuitry for line and load regulation and over-voltage and over-current protection and a multi-connector printed circuit board assembly all contained within a rack mount sheet metal chassis housing. The DC Power Supply is used to supply electrical power to the various apparatus of the EPI process chamber assembly. The input requirements of the DC Power Supply consists of 180 to 250 Volts of AC power and provides three voltage sources distributed through seven output connectors that all together provides nineteen output contacts. The output voltage sources are 24 Volts DC, 15 Volts DC and 5 Volts DC, with currents of 14 Amps, 17 Amps, 10.5 Amps and 31.5 Amps. It is also certified compliant with SEMI S2-0703standards covering safety guidelines for semiconductor manufacturing equipment and all other safety guidelines under SEMI standards for semiconductor equipment. SEMI is a global micro and nano-electronics industry association that develops globally accepted technical standards for the semiconductor industry. The applicable subheading for the DC Power Supply, part number 0190-42820,will be 8486.20.0000, Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS), which provides for “Machines and apparatus of a kind used solely or principally for the manufacture of semiconductor boules or wafers, semiconductor devices, electronic integrated circuits or flat panel displays; machines and apparatus specified in Note 9 (C) to this chapter; parts and accessories: Machines and apparatus for the manufacture of semiconductor devices or of electronic integrated circuits”. The general rate of duty will be free. Duty rates are provided for your convenience and are subject to change. The text of the most recent HTSUS and the accompanying duty rates are provided on World Wide Web at http://www.usitc.gov/tata/hts/. 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 Patricia O'Donnell at (646) 733-3011. Sincerely, Gwenn Klein Kirschner Acting Director National Commodity Specialist Division


The tariff classification of lithium (CAS no. 7439-93-2) from China


The tariff classification of an ALD C3 VCR Feedthru Clear Lid Kit from Southeast Asia


The tariff classification of the EyeDetect SystemMr. Donald SanbornConverus, Inc.3315 Mayflower WaySuite 2Lehi, Utah 84043

N249025 January 31, 2014 CLA-2-:OT:RR:NC:N4:414 CATEGORY: Classification TARIFF NO.: 9031.49.9000 RE: The tariff classification of the EyeDetect System Mr. Donald Sanborn Converus, Inc. 3315 Mayflower Way Suite 2 Lehi, Utah 84043 Dear Mr. Sanborn: In your letter dated January 3, 2014 you requested a tariff classification ruling. The EyeDetect system consists of the eye tracker, a monitor, a CPU, a keyboard, a data locker and a USB flash drive. The EyeDetect system is used for screening job applicants to determine deception on written applications. The EyeDetect measures the subject’s ocular motor responses as a series of questions relating to their application are answered. The eye tracker is an infrared camera with an S-mount lens with glass optical elements and IR-LED illumination. The eye tracker records gaze position (X and Y coordinates), pupil diameter and positional information. Only the numeric measurements of eye position and pupil diameter are recorded. The eye tracker does not record images. The subject is given a test on the computer while the eye tracker records the eye measurements. The computer algorithms then process this information to determine if the subject is being truthful or deceptive while answering the test questions. According to the information provided to this office, the EyeDetect system (the eye tracker, the monitor, the CPU, the keyboard, the data locker and the USB flash drive) will be packaged together for sale at the time of importation without repacking in the United States. Customers for the system will be international banks, financial institutions and government agencies. Classification of goods in the tariff schedule is governed by the General Rules of Interpretation (GRIs). GRI 3 (b) relates to goods put up in sets for retail sale. The EyeDetect system is considered a set for tariff classification purposes. It consists of at least two different articles which are classifiable in different headings, it is put up together to meet a particular need or carry out a specific activity and it is put up in a manner suitable for sale directly to users without repacking (e.g., in boxes or cases). Under General Rule of Interpretation 3(c), the system is classified under the last applicable tariff number that merits consideration. The applicable subheading for the EyeDetect system will be 9031.49.9000, Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS), which provides for Measuring or checking instruments, appliances and machines, not specified or included elsewhere in this chapter, Other optical instruments and appliances: Other: Other. The rate of duty will be 3.5 percent ad valorem. Duty rates are provided for your convenience and are subject to change. The text of the most recent HTSUS and the accompanying duty rates are provided on World Wide Web at http://www.usitc.gov/tata/hts/. 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 Barbara Kiefer at (646) 733-3019. Sincerely, Gwenn Klein Kirschner Acting Director National Commodity Specialist Division


N250406 March 14, 2014 CLA-2-84:OT:RR:NC:1:104 CATEGORY: Classification TARIFF NO.: 8486.20.0000 Mr. Glenn L. Overstreet KSI Corporation 839 Mitten Road Burlingame, CA 94110 RE: The tariff classification of vacuum pumps from France and the United States Dear Mr. Overstreet: In your letter dated February 13, 2014 on behalf of Applied Materials, Inc., you requested a tariff classification ruling. Part Number 0190-25181/IPUP (Integrated Point of Use Pump) vacuum pump is a multi-stage dry vacuum pump with roots technology. It consists of the following components all fully integrated in an enclosed wheeled frame: (1) a multi-stage vacuum pump with electric motor, (2) a water cooling circuit with temperature sensors, (3) an intelligent pump monitoring system, which ensures pump automatic operation, controls sensors and provides interfacing with the process tool, (4) an exhaust anti-suckback valve, (5) a front control panel providing a mains power switch and system status indicator lights and (6) a rear facilities panel providing connections for vacuum inlet piping, exhaust piping, cooling water hoses and electrical interfaces. Part Number 0190-25181 is designed for positioning on the fab floor in the area of the process tool, either singularly or stacked two high, and connects to the vacuum chamber and exhaust circuit by metal piping. Part Number 0190-31263 is a Turbo Pump. It is a 5 axes water and air cooled pump using a magnetically levitated rotor for generating ultra-high vacuum pressures, and includes integrated drive electronics. Part Number 0190-33467 is a Fast Regen 300MM Cryo Pump with Chevron Array. Part Number 0190-31263 and Part Number 0190-33467 are designed for mounting directly to the vacuum chamber. In your submission, you cite NY ruling number N056215 dated April 22, 2009 in which cryogenic pumps were ruled to be classified in subheading 8414.10.0000, Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS), which provides for vacuum pumps. You state that the Fast Regen 300MM Cryo Pump “is similar in form and function to the cryo pumps considered in ruling NY N056219 from 2009”. However, as you point out, the ruling does not include any reference to semiconductor manufacturing nor is there any indication that heading 8486, HTSUS, was considered at time of issuance. Thus, it is this office's opinion that NY N056215 is inconclusive when addressing heading 8486, HTSUS, as it applies to the Cryo Pump presently under consideration. All three models are capable of generating sub-atmospheric vacuum pressures within the vacuum chambers in semiconductor manufacturing process tools. You state that they are specially designed and solely used in semiconductor wafer manufacturing and are certified to semiconductor industry standards. Part Numbers 0190-25181 and 0190-31263 are manufactured in France. Part Number 0190-33467 is manufactured in the United States. The applicable subheading for the vacuum pumps, Part Numbers 0190-25181, 0190-31263 and 0190-33467, will be 8486.20.0000, HTSUS, which provides for “Machines and apparatus of a kind used solely or principally for the manufacture of semiconductor boules or wafers, semiconductor devices, electronic integrated circuits or flat panel displays; machines and apparatus specified in Note 9 (C) to this chapter; parts and accessories: Machines and apparatus for the manufacture of semiconductor devices or of electronic integrated circuits”. The general rate of duty will be free. Duty rates are provided for your convenience and are subject to change. The text of the most recent HTSUS and the accompanying duty rates are provided on World Wide Web at http://www.usitc.gov/tata/hts/. 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 Patricia O'Donnell at (646) 733-3011. Sincerely, Gwenn Klein Kirschner Acting Director National Commodity Specialist Division


N250554 March 7, 2014 CLA-2-85:OT:RR:NC:N1:109 CATEGORY: Classification TARIFF NO.: 8542.39.0000 Cindy Vinson IFF, Inc. 575A Forest Parkway College Point, GA 30349 RE: The tariff classification of a HAL sensor from Germany Dear Ms. Vinson: In your letter dated February 12, 2014, you requested a tariff classification ruling on behalf of your client Micronas GMBH. The item concerned is called the HAL 815, which is a programmable linear Hall sensor. It is a universal magnetic field sensor with a linear analog output. It can be used for angular and linear measurements if combined with a rotating or moving magnet. The HAL 815 sensor is comprised of a complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) monolithic integrated circuit (IC) chip bonded to a copper lead frame, incased within a mold compound. Based upon the information supplied this device fits the definition of a monolithic integrated circuit as is provided for in the Explanatory Notes (EN) to heading 8542. All circuit elements have been created within the mass or upon the surface of the semiconductor material, forming a monolithic IC. The IC is then mounted to a lead frame and encased in a mold. The EN's to heading 8542 allow the IC to be mounted to a lead and encased. This particular sensor (HAL 815) does not incorporate any other additional components. The applicable subheading for the HAL 815 sensor will be 8542.39.0000, Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS), which provides for “Electronic integrated circuits; parts thereof: Electronic integrated circuits: Other.” The rate of duty will be Free. Duty rates are provided for your convenience and are subject to change. The text of the most recent HTSUS and the accompanying duty rates are provided on World Wide Web at http://www.usitc.gov/tata/hts/. 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 Steven Pollichino at (646) 733-3008. Sincerely, Gwenn Klein Kirschner Acting Director National Commodity Specialist Division


N252272 May 7, 2014 CLA-2-84:OT:RR:NC:1:104 CATEGORY: Classification TARIFF NO.: 8486.90.0000 Mr. Edward F. Juliano, Jr. Attorney at Law 303 Wyman Street Suite 300 Waltham, MA 02451 RE: The tariff classification of RF Power Amplifiers from Germany Dear Mr. Juliano: In your letter dated April 7, 2014, on behalf of your client, Cymer LLC, you requested a tariff classification ruling. The RF Power Amplifiers are components of an Extreme Ultraviolet (“EUV”) Scanner designed for semiconductor lithography. The EUV Scanners are used in high volume semiconductor manufacturing plants to produce microprocessors, memory devices, and other semiconductor components. The EUV Scanner uses light which is created by converting microscopic droplets of molten tin into a plasma which emits EUV light at 13.5 nanometers. Pulses of amplified infrared (“IR”) light are introduced into the scanner's vacuum chamber and are focused upon a selected number of the tin droplets. This action creates the plasma and EUV light. The EUV light emitted from the plasma is then directed to expose EUV sensitive photoresist patterns on silicon wafers within the Scanner. The RF Power Amplifiers are specially designed and manufactured for use exclusively in the EUV Scanner. There are no other applications. The RF Power Amplifiers may be imported individually, or as part of a larger module which contains four amplifiers. When the RF Power Amplifiers are imported as a modular assembly, it will contain a metal base and sheet metal housing. The RF Power Amplifiers operate by taking light generated by a separate “seed laser” (not included in this ruling request) module and use radio frequency (“RF”) energy to amplify the power of the light to a significantly higher wattage. The RF Power Amplifiers do not contain output couplers. Light energy passes successively through each RF Power Amplifier. The power (wattage) of the light is increased by each RF Power Amplifier. The applicable subheading for the RF Power Amplifiers described above will be 8486.90.0000, Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS), which provides for Machines and apparatus of a kind used solely or principally for the manufacture of semiconductor boules or wafers, semiconductor devices, electronic integrated circuits or flat panel displays; machines and apparatus specified in Note 9 (C) to this chapter; parts and accessories: Parts and accessories. The rate of duty will be free. Duty rates are provided for your convenience and are subject to change. The text of the most recent HTSUS and the accompanying duty rates are provided on World Wide Web at http://www.usitc.gov/tata/hts/. 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 Patricia O'Donnell at patricia.k.odonnell@cbp.dhs.gov. Sincerely, Gwenn Klein Kirschner Acting Director National Commodity Specialist Division


The tariff classification of an electronic integrated circuit from Vietnam

parts of integrated circuits
parts of monolithic integrated circuit


N255422 July 31, 2014 CLA-2-85:OT:RR:NC:N1:109 CATEGORY: Classification TARIFF NO.: 8542.39.0000 James R. Harrington Infineon Technologies North America Corp. 640 N. McCarthy Blvd. Milpitas, CA 95035 RE: The tariff classification of dual-die I/C sensors from Malaysia Dear Mr. Harrington: In your letter dated July 11, 2014, you requested a tariff classification ruling. The item concerned is referred to as Infineon's TLE4997A8D dual-die integrated circuit (IC) ratiometric hall-effect sensor. This item consists of two identical monolithic IC sensors inseparably joined together into one package. All of the circuit elements that make up these IC blocks are created in the mass and on the surface of a silicon substrate using BiCMOS technology. The two sensor ICs are mounted on the top and bottom side of a lead frame and then encapsulated. This sensor can be used for accurate linear and angular position detection as well as for electrical current detection and measurement. This sensor is used to detect the position of a moving machine element when that element is equipped with a device that emits a magnetic field. The sensor detects the magnetic field and outputs a signal which corresponds to the location of the machine element. The output signals are used by a separate controller/computer to make a measurement calculation. The applicable subheading for the TLE4997A8D dual-die integrated circuit ratiometric hall-effect sensor will be 8542.39.0000, Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS), which provides for “Electronic integrated circuits; parts thereof: Electronic integrated circuits: Other.” The rate of duty will be Free. Duty rates are provided for your convenience and are subject to change. The text of the most recent HTSUS and the accompanying duty rates are provided on World Wide Web at http://www.usitc.gov/tata/hts/. 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 Steven Pollichino at Steven.Pollichino@cbp.dhs.gov. Sincerely, Gwenn Klein Kirschner Director National Commodity Specialist Division


N264692 May 29, 2015 CLA-2-85:OT:RR:NC:N1:108 CATEGORY: Classification TARIFF NO.: 8523.51.0000 Mr. Matt Nakachi Junker & Nakachi, P.C. One Maritime Plaza Suite 825 San Francisco, CA 94111 RE: The tariff classification of a wireless flash drive and a wireless media drive from China Dear Mr. Nakachi: In your letter dated May 7, 2015, on behalf of the SanDisk Corporation, you requested a tariff classification ruling. Boxes without samples were provided and will be returned to your office. The merchandise under consideration is a wireless flash drive and a wireless media drive, which are flash memory devices. The wireless flash drive is available in storage capacities of 16 GB, 32 GB, and 64 GB; and the wireless media drive is available in 32 GB and 64 GB of storage. According to the information provided, the principal function of both these apparatuses is to perform as non-volatile storage devices. These semiconductor media memory devices, which wirelessly store video, photos, music, and data, are non-volatile storage devices that are designed to store electronic data using flash memory semiconductors. Each subject flash memory device, which is imported in a housing, contains one or more electronic integrated circuits and includes a connecting socket. Neither of these devices contains a processor. The applicable subheading for the subject wireless flash drive and the wireless media drive will be 8523.51.0000, Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS), which provides for Discs, tapes, solid-state non-volatile storage devices, "smart cards" and other media for the recording of sound or of other phenomena, whether or not recorded, including matrices and masters for the production of discs, but excluding products of Chapter 37: Semiconductor media: Solid-state non-volatile storage devices. The rate of duty will be Free. Duty rates are provided for your convenience and are subject to change. The text of the most recent HTSUS and the accompanying duty rates are provided on World Wide Web at http://www.usitc.gov/tata/hts/. 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 Lisa Cariello at lisa.a.cariello@cbp.dhs.gov. Sincerely, Gwenn Klein Kirschner Director National Commodity Specialist Division


N264694 May 29, 2015 CLA-2-85:OT:RR:NC:N1:108 CATEGORY: Classification TARIFF NO.: 8523.51.0000 Mr. Matt Nakachi Junker & Nakachi, P.C. One Maritime Plaza Suite 825 San Francisco, CA 94111 RE: The tariff classification of USB non-volatile storage drives from Taiwan, Malaysia, and/or China Dear Mr. Nakachi: In your letter dated May 7, 2015, on behalf of the SanDisk Corporation, you requested a tariff classification ruling. The submitted samples are being returned. The merchandise under consideration is the USB Cruzer Glide and the Time Shift Buffer (TSB), which are USB non-volatile storage drives. According to the information provided, both these devices are principally used as non-volatile storage devices. The Cruzer line of solid-state non-volatile storage devices are sold with a housing and may be preloaded with SanDisk Secure Access software, which is an encryption-based security program designed to secure data. Each Cruzer USB device contains a flash memory chip that users a controller IC to store electronic data onto a flash memory semiconductor. In addition to storing data, each device has a subsidiary function of streaming content to mobile devices through a wireless network. Each contains a connecting socket in the same housing, which includes a flash controller in the form of an integrated circuit, but does not contain a processor. The Time Shift Buffer (TSB) utilizes a controller IC to store and retrieve electronic data onto a flash memory semiconductor; however, the TSB can also be used as a type of video “buffer” memory. It allows for the stored data to be written and overwritten to a video device in a continuous fashion. It can replace a traditional hard-drive storage device used in a set top box. This solid state non-volatile storage device consists of a connecting socket in the same housing, with one or more flash memories in the form of integrated circuits on a printed circuit board, but does not contain a processor. The applicable subheading for the subject USB drives will be 8523.51.0000, Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS), which provides for Discs, tapes, solid-state non-volatile storage devices, "smart cards" and other media for the recording of sound or of other phenomena, whether or not recorded, including matrices and masters for the production of discs, but excluding products of Chapter 37: Semiconductor media: Solid-state non-volatile storage devices. The rate of duty will be Free. Duty rates are provided for your convenience and are subject to change. The text of the most recent HTSUS and the accompanying duty rates are provided on World Wide Web at http://www.usitc.gov/tata/hts/. 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 Lisa Cariello at lisa.a.cariello@cbp.dhs.gov. Sincerely, Gwenn Klein Kirschner Director National Commodity Specialist Division


N264697 May 29, 2015 CLA-2-85:OT:RR:NC:N1:108 CATEGORY: Classification TARIFF NO.: 8523.51.0000 Mr. Matt Nakachi Junker & Nakachi, P.C. One Maritime Plaza Suite 825 San Francisco, CA 94111 RE: The tariff classification of a solid-state drive (SSD) from Malaysia and/or China Dear Mr. Nakachi: In your letter dated May 7, 2015, on behalf of the SanDisk Corporation, you requested a tariff classification ruling. The submitted sample is being returned. The merchandise under consideration is a solid-state drive (SSD), the SanDisk U110, which is a flash memory storage device. This SSD contains flash memory components housed in a case that is ready for installation in various types of other host devices, which require data storage such as computers, DVR’s, laptops, et cetera. This SSD is a solid-state non-volatile storage device that is designed to store electronic data using the flash memory semiconductor. It contains a connecting socket (for use in connecting to a host device) incorporated in the same housing, which includes a flash controller in the form of an integrated circuit. The subject SSD does not contain a processor. The applicable subheading for the subject solid-state drive will be 8523.51.0000, Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS), which provides for Discs, tapes, solid-state non-volatile storage devices, "smart cards" and other media for the recording of sound or of other phenomena, whether or not recorded, including matrices and masters for the production of discs, but excluding products of Chapter 37: Semiconductor media: Solid-state non-volatile storage devices. The rate of duty will be free. Duty rates are provided for your convenience and are subject to change. The text of the most recent HTSUS and the accompanying duty rates are provided on World Wide Web at http://www.usitc.gov/tata/hts/. 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 Lisa Cariello at lisa.a.cariello@cbp.dhs.gov. Sincerely, Gwenn Klein Kirschner Director National Commodity Specialist Division


N264814 June 16, 2015 CLA-2-84:OT:RR:NC:N1:102 CATEGORY: Classification TARIFF NO.: 8419.89.9585 Rosie T. Rubin Hanson Research Corporation 9810 Variel Avenue Chatsworth, CA 91311 RE: The tariff classification of Laboratory Test Dissolution Instruments. Dear Ms. Rubin: In your letter dated May 18, 2015 you requested a tariff classification ruling. Descriptive literature and illustrations were submitted with your letter. The Hanson Vision G2 Elite 8 Dissolution Tester and the Hanson Vision G2 Classic 6 Dissolution Tester are instruments of an auto sampler series employed in pharmaceutical settings. Both apparatus perform no analytical operations, rather, they dissolve pharmaceutical tablets in a specific medium within a predetermined time and under a preset operating parameter. This process includes a change in temperature, medium composition and stirring. These instruments consist of a Vision heater circulation system, six or eight drive spindles with spindle shafts, a molded water bath, a shaft clamp, a fixed drive head or an Easylift™ movable drive head with multi-lock positions, and a touch screen. The heater circulation system heats the dissolution solution in accordance with the set temperature range between 25 to 55 degrees Celsius and also heats the spindles agitate at a set rate that ranges between 25 to 250 rpms. The Hanson Vision G2 Elite 8 Dissolution Tester measures 87.6 centimeters in height and 67.3 centimeters in width, whereas the Hanson Vision G2 Classic 6 Dissolution Tester measures 67.3 centimeters in height and 39.4 centimeters in width. The Harmonized Commodity Description and Coding System Explanatory Notes (ENs) constitute the official interpretation of the Harmonized System. While not legally binding, the ENs provide a commentary on the scope of each heading of the Harmonized System and are thus useful in ascertaining the classification of merchandise under the System. Customs believes the ENs should always be consulted. See T.D. 89-80, 54 Fed. Reg. 35127, 35128 (Aug. 23, 1989). The ENs to heading 8419 state this heading covers machinery and plant designed to submit materials (solid, liquid or gaseous) to a heating or cooling process in order to cause a simple change of temperature, or to cause a transformation of the materials resulting principally from the temperature change (e.g., heating, cooking, roasting, distilling, rectifying, sterilising, pasteurising, steaming, drying, evaporating, vaporising, condensing or cooling processes). However, this heading excludes machinery and plant in which the heating or cooling, even if essential, is merely a secondary function designed to facilitate the main mechanical function of the machine or plant. It is this office’s opinion that temperature is not subsidiary, but rather it is essential to the operation and dissolution process of the units. Thus, the applicable subheading for the Hanson Vision G2 Elite 8 Dissolution Tester and the Hanson Vision G2 Classic 6 Dissolution Tester will be 8419.89.9585, Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States, which provides for other machinery, plant or laboratory equipment...for the treatment of materials by a process involving a change of temperature: other: other: other: for other materials. The rate of duty will be 4.2 percent ad valorem. Duty rates are provided for your convenience and are subject to change. The text of the most recent HTSUS and the accompanying duty rates are provided on World Wide Web at http://www.usitc.gov/tata/hts/. 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 Sandra Martinez at Sandra.Martinez@cbp.dhs.gov. Sincerely, Gwenn Klein Kirschner Director National Commodity Specialist Division


N265927 June 23, 2015 CLA-2-84:OT:RR:NC:N1:104 CATEGORY: Classification TARIFF NO.: 8486.20.0000 Mr. Edward F. Juliano Jr. Attorney at Law 303 Wyman Street Suite 300 Waltham, MA 02451 RE: The tariff classification of Power Distribution Units from the Netherlands. Correction to Ruling Number NY N262306 Dear Mr. Juliano: This replaces Ruling Number NY N262306, dated March 27, 2015, which contained a clerical error. In line 1, the incorrect date appeared, i.e., March 3, 2105 instead of the correct March 3, 2015. A complete corrected ruling follows. In your letter dated March 3, 2015, on behalf of your client, ASML US, Inc., you requested a tariff classification ruling. The Main Distribution Cabinet (“MDC”) and the Main Distribution Remote Cabinet (“MDRC”) are power distribution units said to be designed and used exclusively to supply power at different voltages to semiconductor photolithography stepper/scanners. The MDC and the MDRC units contain the electrical and electronic components necessary to convert the incoming voltage to the desired output voltages, cables of differing capacities and control panels with Ethernet connections. They are housed in large steel cabinets and located in the subfloor of the semiconductor manufacturing plants. The MDC and the MDRC are connected mechanically and electrically directly to the stepper/scanners via cables supplying various voltages to the stepper/scanners. They also connect electronically via the Ethernet cables in order to communicate data relating to power conditions. The MDC and MDRC both provide Phase Order and Over/Under Voltage protection, i.e., uninterruptable power is provided to certain functions of the scanners in case of power interruption. The applicable subheading for the Main Distribution Cabinet (“MDC”) and the Main Distribution Remote Cabinet (“MDRC”) power distribution units will be 8486.20.0000, Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS), which provides for which provides for “Machines and apparatus of a kind used solely or principally for the manufacture of semiconductor boules or wafers, semiconductor devices, electronic integrated circuits or flat panel displays; machines and apparatus specified in Note 9 (C) to this chapter; parts and accessories: Machines and apparatus for the manufacture of semiconductor devices or of electronic integrated circuits”. The rate of duty will be free. Duty rates are provided for your convenience and are subject to change. The text of the most recent HTSUS and the accompanying duty rates are provided on World Wide Web at http://www.usitc.gov/tata/hts/. 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 Patricia O'Donnell at patricia.k.odonnell@cbp.dhs.gov. Sincerely, Gwenn Klein Kirschner Director National Commodity Specialist Division


N268097 September 22, 2015 CLA-2-84:OT:RR:NC:N1:104 CATEGORY: Classification TARIFF NO.: 8486.20.0000 Ms. Kristi Lee Culbertson Raith America Inc. 300 Jordan Road Troy, MI 12180 RE: The tariff classification of EBPG-Series Electron Beam Lithography Systems from the Netherlands Dear Ms. Culbertson: In your letter dated August 26, 2015 you requested a tariff classification ruling. EBPG-Series products are electron beam lithography (“EBL”) systems designed for high-resolution and high-accuracy patterning of devices on semiconductor wafer materials. Highly focused electron beams are used to directly draw circuit patterns on the nanometer scale onto semiconductor wafers coated with sensitized chemical materials (“resists”). The models come in two versions varying by the maximum wafer size the model can accommodate. The EBPG 5150 can accommodate wafers up to 6 inches in diameter and the EBPG 5200 can accommodate wafers up to 8 inches wafers in diameter. All EBPG products operate with an acceleration voltage up to 100kV. They are used in the lithography process step in the manufacturing of semiconductor wafers or electronic integrated circuits. You state in the ruling that the “EBL” systems are complete at time of importation. No specialized wafer lifting, handling, loading or unloading is included. Customers will supply their own wafer handling equipment based upon their own methods and devices. The key system features for the models are: 1) Thermal Field Emission (TFE) electron source, 2) Automatic dynamic off-axis focus, stigmation and distortion correction software, 3) 50MHz pattern generator, 4) low noise 20-bit main field deflection, 5) Field size operation, variable up to 1mm by 1mm at all voltages, 6) Binocular microscope, X/Y stage and Laser Height sensor to pre-align wafers and piece parts on their holder prior to system loading and 7) System control software suite “BEAMS” on fully integrated control PC running Linux OS with Ethernet interface. The applicable subheading for the EBPG-Series Electron Beam Lithography Systems, i.e. EBPG 5150 and EBPG 5200, will be 8486.20.0000, Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS), which provides for “Machines and apparatus of a kind used solely or principally for the manufacture of semiconductor boules or wafers, semiconductor devices, electronic integrated circuits or flat panel displays; machines and apparatus specified in Note 9 (C) to this chapter; parts and accessories: Machines and apparatus for the manufacture of semiconductor devices or of electronic integrated circuits”. The rate of duty will be Free. Duty rates are provided for your convenience and are subject to change. The text of the most recent HTSUS and the accompanying duty rates are provided on World Wide Web at http://www.usitc.gov/tata/hts/. 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 Patricia O'Donnell at patricia.k.odonnell@cbp.dhs.gov Sincerely, Gwenn Klein Kirschner Director National Commodity Specialist Division


N275956 June 3, 2016 CLA-2-84:OT:RR:NC:N1:104 CATEGORY: Classification TARIFF NO.: 8486.40.0030 Mr. Daniel Shapiro Olympus Scientific Solutions Technologies Inc. 48 Woerd Avenue Waltham, MA 02453 RE: The tariff classification of Wafer Loaders from Japan Dear Mr. Shapiro: In your letter dated May 20, 2016 you requested a tariff classification ruling. The three different models of wafer loaders are AL6150, AL86 and AL86180. They are part of the AL120 wafer loader series. Models AL86180 and AL86 can accommodate wafer diameters of 6 inches and 8 inches. Model AL6150 can accommodate wafer diameters of 6 inches. At various times, the wafer loaders will undergo special function changes where the overseas factory will make special sensors or robotics to accommodate specific wafers as requested by the customer. However, the functionality of each wafer loader remains the same which is to automatically transfer semiconductor wafers from a cassette to a microscope stage for inspection. As stand-alone units, these wafer loaders do not have any inspection or measurement capabilities. The wafer loader is imported as a fully functional stand-alone unit that must be paired after importation with a microscope, microscope stage, microscope accessories and microscope tray for the loader to transfer the wafers for microscope inspection. The wafer loaders also employ two new wafer detection functions which are wafer height and cross-slot placement. Each unit comes with an LCD screen that provides the operator with the ability to visually configure inspection recipes and sequences, confirm set up conditions and display inspection results. The applicable subheading for the Wafer Loaders will be 8486.40.0030, Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS), which provides for “Machines and apparatus of a kind used solely or principally for the manufacture of semiconductor boules or wafers, semiconductor devices, electronic integrated circuits or flat panel displays; machines and apparatus specified in Note 9 (C) to this chapter; parts and accessories: Machines and apparatus specified in note 9 (C) to this chapter: For lifting, handling, loading or unloading of boules, wafers, semiconductor devices, electronic integrated circuits and flat panel displays”. The rate of duty will be free. Duty rates are provided for your convenience and are subject to change. The text of the most recent HTSUS and the accompanying duty rates are provided on World Wide Web at https://hts.usitc.gov/current. 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 Patricia O”Donnell at patricia.k.odonnell@cbp.dhs.gov. Sincerely, Deborah C. Marinucci Acting Director National Commodity Specialist Division


The tariff classification of wafer loaders from Japan


The tariff classification of a Starlith Lens Apparatus from Germany & Netherlands


N277379 August 11, 2016 CLA-2-84:OT:RR:NC:N1:104 CATEGORY: Classification TARIFF NO.: 8486.90.0000 Mr. Glen L. Overstreet KSI Corporation 839 Mitten Road Suite 200 Burlingame, CA 94010 RE: The tariff classification of a SiC Plate from the United States Dear Mr. Overstreet: In your letter dated July 13, 2016, on behalf of your client, Applied Materials, Inc., you requested a tariff classification ruling. Part number 0200-02689 is described as a 300MM SiC Plate which is a round flat plate that is approximately 16 inches in diameter and contains a pattern of holes distributed across its surface and is made entirely of CVD (chemical vapor deposition) SiC (silicon carbide) material. It is stated in the ruling request that the SiC Plate is manufactured according to Applied Materials specifications for sole use in their Dielectric Etch semiconductor wafer processing chamber. The Dielectric Etch chamber uses a reactive plasma to etch or remove films from selected areas of the semiconductor wafers. The SiC Plate is part of the chamber's gas distribution plate or showerhead. The showerhead is located in the chamber source assembly of the chamber lid and it functions to distribute the pocesss gases used for plasma generation into the chamber. The showerhead contains two specific gas distribution zones, an inner zone and an outer zone. The inner zone is approximately 1.35 times the size of the outer zone. The showerhead compensates for this discrepancy in order for the gas flow to be evenly distributed to the outer zone in order to keep the zones effectively equal. The SiC Plate is the portion of the showerhead that is exposed to the plasma. CVD SiC material is used for this component because it is very durable in the harsh plasma based environment. It provides extended Mean Time between Cleans (MTBC) and reduces cost of ownership. In your ruling request, you are requesting a tariff classification regrading two scenarios. In the first scenario, Applied Materials will manufacture the SiC Plates off-shore and then import the plates into the United States for use in manufacturing and stock replenishment in addition to client analysis. In the second scenario, the SiC Plates are installed in the semiconductor wafer dielectric etch tools and then the complete tools are exported to overseas customers. Customers using plasma based processes will periodically remove the plasma exposed components and ship them back to Applied Materials for analysis of their etch process parameters and attributes. The SiC Plates may be returned to the United States for analysis. The applicable subheading for the SiC Plates in the first scenario will be 8486.90.0000, Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS), which provides for “Machines and apparatus of a kind used solely or principally for the manufacture of semiconductor boules or wafers, semiconductor devices, electronic integrated circuits or flat panel displays; machines and apparatus specified in Note 9(C) to this chapter; parts and accessories: Parts and accessories”. The rate of duty will be free. In the second scenario, you state that this merchandise is of United States origin and may be periodically returned, from unspecified countries, to the United States for analysis purposes. Please note that United States manufactured products are entitled to enter free of duty as American goods returned, upon compliance with Section 10.1, Customs Regulations (19 C.F.R. §10.1). Heading 9801, HTSUS, allows products of the United States when returned after having been exported, without having been advanced in value or improved in condition by any process of manufacture or other means while abroad, to be entered free of duty. Regarding the applicability of heading 9801, HTSUS, if the importation of the SiC Plates meets the criteria set forth in the cited regulation, the merchandise may be eligible for duty exemption under subheading 9801.00.10, HTSUS. Duty rates are provided for your convenience and are subject to change. The text of the most recent HTSUS and the accompanying duty rates are provided on World Wide Web at https://hts.usitc.gov/current. 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 Patricia O'Donnell at patricia.k.odonnell@cbp.dhs.gov. Sincerely, Steven A. Mack Director National Commodity Specialist Division


N277935 August 19, 2016 CLA-2-84:OT:RR:NC:N1:104 CATEGORY: Classification TARIFF NO.: 8486.20.0000 Ms. Sherry Tai Auxin Solar Inc. 6835 Via Del Oro San Jose, CA 95138 RE: The tariff classification of a NPC Laminator from Japan Dear Ms. Tai: In your letter dated June 7, 2016 you requested a tariff classification ruling. The importation consists of a NPC laminator which is designed to laminate materials onto a flat glass substrate which is used in photovoltaic application. The modules that are produced from this machine are silicon photovoltaic cells used to convert sunlight directly into electric energy. The laminator is used specifically for laminating these particular solar panels. The NPC laminator features an upper and lower chamber vacuum and a high pressure press which is required for solar panel lamination. The laminator contains an input conveyor where the glass substrate is placed on the conveyor and a layer of EVA encapsulate is placed on the substrate before being loaded into the chamber. The laminate process goes through five layers before it is complete. After the lamination completes its stages, the pressure is returned back to atmospheric levels and the panel exits the laminator via an output conveyor. After the laminate completes the cooling period, it is removed and the assembly of the semiconductor device is completed. The applicable subheading for the NPC Laminator will be 8486.20.0000, Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS), which provides for “Machines and apparatus of a kind used solely or principally for the manufacture of semiconductor boules or wafers, semiconductor devices, electronic integrated circuits or flat panel displays; machines and apparatus specified in Note 9 (C) to this chapter; parts and accessories: Machines and apparatus for the manufacture of semiconductor devices or of electronic integrated circuits”. The rate of duty will be free. Duty rates are provided for your convenience and are subject to change. The text of the most recent HTSUS and the accompanying duty rates are provided on World Wide Web at https://hts.usitc.gov/current. 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 Patricia O'Donnell at patricia.k.odonnell@cbp.dhs.gov. Sincerely, Steven A. Mack Director National Commodity Specialist Division