Recent CBP NY Rulings
The following are short summaries of recent CBP NY rulings issued by the agency's National Commodity Specialist Division in New York:
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N351911: The country of origin of digital multimeters and a receptacle tester
| Origin: Vietnam |
| Item: The first items under consideration are described as digital multimeters, which are electronic instruments that measure AC/DC voltage, current, and resistance. The devices operate by using a combination of analog and digital circuitry to convert the electrical signal into a digital reading displayed on the LCD screen. The second item under consideration is described as a ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) receptacle tester, which is an electronic instrument used to check whether the wiring of a GFCI outlet is correctly installed. The manufacturing and assembly process for both the digital multimeters and GFCI receptacle tester occurs in Vietnam and is a substantially similar process. It starts with the printed circuit board assembly (PCBA) creation using surface mount technology (SMT) in Vietnam. |
| Reason: The assembly process performed in Vietnam is considered complex and results in a substantial transformation of over a hundred different components. Most importantly, the creation of the PCBA in Vietnam using SMT generates a working measuring device. This PCBA creation and additional assembly in Vietnam creates a new and different article of commerce. |
| Ruling Date: Aug. 20, 2025 |
N351913: The country of origin of analog multimeters and a battery tester
| Origin: Vietnam |
| Item: The first items under consideration are described as analog multimeters, which are electronic instruments that measure AC/DC voltage, current, and resistance. The second item under consideration is described as a battery tester, which is an electronic device designed for assessing the charge level of dry-cell batteries and measuring the battery voltage. The manufacturing and assembly process for both the analog multimeters and battery tester occurs in Vietnam and is a substantially similar process. |
| Reason: The assembly process performed in Vietnam is considered complex and results in a substantial transformation of over a hundred different components. Most importantly, the creation of the printed circuit board assembly (PCBA) in Vietnam using SMT generates a working measuring device. This PCBA creation and additional assembly in Vietnam creates a new and different article of commerce. |
| Ruling Date: Aug. 20, 2025 |
N351996: The tariff classification and country of origin of loaded knuckle assemblies
| HTS: 8708.80.6590, 9903.94.05; 9903.01.33, 2.5% + 25%, “Parts and accessories of the motor vehicles of headings 8701 to 8705: Suspension systems and parts thereof (including shock absorbers): Parts: Other: Other: Other.” |
| Origin: Thailand |
| Item: The articles under consideration are loaded knuckle assemblies, which are used in passenger vehicles. These products reduce friction between moving parts of a vehicle, helping to improve fuel efficiency, reduce noise and extend the life of other components, ensuring optimal performance, safety, and comfort on the road. The knuckles, outer rings, spindles, and bolts are produced from the casting stage/forging stage in Thailand, while the inner rings (in a rough, semi-manufactured state) are imported from China. The inner rings are precision machined in Thailand by precision turning operations, drilling or tapping, grinding, and super-finishing, to create a finished product. |
| Reason: The inner rings from China became races with precision raceways in Thailand. As a result, the country of origin will be Thailand. |
| Ruling Date: Aug. 20, 2025 |
N352072: The classification and country of origin of an Engine Timing Chain Kit
| HTS: 8483.90.1010, 9903.01.24; 9903.01.25; 9903.88.01, 2.8% + 20% + 10% + 25%, “Transmission shafts (including camshafts and crankshafts) and cranks; bearing housings, housed bearings and plain shaft bearings; gears and gearing; ball or roller screws; gear boxes and other speed changers, including torque converters; flywheels and pulleys, including pulley blocks; clutches and shaft couplings (including universal joints); parts thereof: Toothed wheels, chain sprockets and other transmission elements presented separately; parts: Chain sprockets and parts thereof: Forged.” |
| Origin: China |
| Item: The item under consideration is a Timing Chain Kit, which is used to replace the timing system of an internal combustion engine used in motorized vehicles (sedans, sport utility vehicles, crossover utility vehicles, minivans and cargo vans). The repair kit consists of a timing chain guide, a chain tensioner, an engine tensioner guide, a crankshaft sprocket, an oiler and a timing chain. |
| Reason: It is the chain sprocket, which is forged of steel material, that imparts the essential character, as it establishes the desired speed ratio to maintain the timing of the engine. The chain sprocket, which is sourced in China, imparts the essential character of the kit. |
| Ruling Date: Aug. 20, 2025 |
N352085: The tariff classification of a children's wooden balance board from China
| HTS: 9506.91.0030, 9903.01.24; 9903.01.25; 9903.88.15, 4.6% + 20% + 10% + 7.5%: “Articles and equipment for general physical exercise, gymnastics, athletics, other sports…or outdoor games…; parts and accessories thereof: Other: Articles and equipment for general physical exercise, gymnastics or athletics; parts and accessories thereof...Other.” |
| Item: The product under consideration is a wooden balance board identified as the “Rockin’ Balance Board,” which is an exercise device that bows in the middle and can support a weight of up to 153 lbs. The item can promote a child’s gross motor skills, balance, coordination, and strength by rocking side to side with feet resting on the board. |
| Reason: N/A |
| Ruling Date: Aug. 20, 2025 |
N352107: The tariff classification of a lead crystal decoration from the Czech Republic
| HTS: 7013.91.5000, 9903.02.20, 6% + 9%, “Glassware of a kind used for table, kitchen, toilet, office, indoor decoration or similar purposes…: Other glassware: Of lead crystal: Valued over $5 each.” |
| Item: The merchandise under consideration is referred to as a decorative crystal sculpture, which is made of lead crystal glass containing 24% by weight of lead monoxide (PbO). It consists of two pieces imported in a foam-lined wooden presentation box. One piece is shaped to resemble an automatic handgun and the other piece is a stand upon which the handgun-shaped component rests. The sculpture is designed for display in home or office settings, and is valued over $5. |
| Reason: N/A |
| Ruling Date: Aug. 20, 2025 |
N352131: The tariff classification of samples of the LED lantern, flameless taper candle and flameless pillar candle from China
| HTS: 9811.00.60, free, “Any sample (except samples covered by heading 9811.00.20 or 9811.00.40), valued not over $1 each, or marked, torn, perforated or otherwise treated so that it is unsuitable for sale or for use otherwise than as a sample, to be used in the United States only for soliciting orders for products of foreign countries.” |
| Item: Item 1, identified as the “Home Décor Development Sample - Lantern”, consists of a square metal lantern with four clear glass or plastic panels and a flameless LED candle affixed to the bottom of the lantern base. Item 2, identified as the “Home Décor Development Sample - Flameless Taper Candle”, consists of a plastic candle stick body with a molding flame atop containing an LED lamp. Item 3, identified as the “Home Décor Development Sample – Flameless Pillar Candle”, consists of a plastic or wax pillar candle containing an LED lamp inside. The articles are permanently marked with the word “SAMPLE” in indelible ink by the manufacturer. These articles will be valued at over $1.00 each. |
| Reason: N/A |
| Ruling Date: Aug. 20, 2025 |
N352135: The tariff classification of samples of air fryers, grill pans, drinking glasses, tongs and corkscrews from China
| HTS: 9811.00.60, free, “Any sample (except samples covered by heading 9811.00.20 or 9811.00.40), valued not over $1 each, or marked, torn, perforated or otherwise treated so that it is unsuitable for sale or for use otherwise than as a sample, to be used in the United States only for soliciting orders for products of foreign countries.” |
| Item: Item 1, identified as the “Culinary Development Sample – Air Fryer”, is an air fryer with the frying basket handle labeled “KITCHEN HQ”. Item 2, identified as the “Culinary Development Sample – Grill Pan”, is a grill pan in rectangular shape with a handle. Item 3, identified as the “Culinary Development Sample – Drinking Glass”, is a translucent drink glass with a textured or etched surface. Item 4, identified as the “Culinary Development Sample – Tongs”, is a pair of tongs made of metal with silicone/plastic on the arms and tips. Item 5, identified as the “Culinary Development Sample – Corkscrew”, is a corkscrew, of which, housing comprises clear plastic and metal with a switch button. The samples are permanently marked with the word “SAMPLE” in indelible ink by the manufacturer. The intended use for these articles is for soliciting orders for foreign merchandise. These articles will be valued at over $1.00 each. |
| Reason: N/A |
| Ruling Date: Aug. 20, 2025 |
N352165: The tariff classification of a smart camera from China
| HTS: 9031.49.9000, 9903.01.24; 9903.01.25; 9903.88.01, free + 20% + 10% + 25%, “Measuring or checking instruments, appliances and machines, not specified or included elsewhere in this chapter; profile projectors; parts and accessories thereof: Other optical instruments and appliances: Other: Other.” |
| Item: The VisionR Scout artificial intelligence (AI) Camera Kit, which contains a standard USB webcam, a main processing unit with 12v power supply, and two antennas (one for Wi-Fi and one for cellular network). The Scout Camera analyzes live shopper characteristics in-store and returns anonymized meta data to VisionR for processing. The kit provides information on daily store footfall, estimated demographic profiles of store traffic, and heatmaps and cold zones in-store. |
| Reason: N/A |
| Ruling Date: Aug. 20, 2025 |
N352193: The tariff classification of electric motors from China
| HTS: 8501.31.4000, 9903.01.24; 9903.01.25; 9903.88.02, 4% + 20% + 10% + 25%, “Electric motors and generators (excluding generating sets): Other DC motors; DC generators, other than photovoltaic generators: Of an output not exceeding 750W: Motors: Exceeding 74.6 W but not exceeding 735 W.” |
| Item: Five models of electric motors |
| Reason: N/A |
| Ruling Date: Aug. 20, 2025 |