RE: the Tariff Classification of AV-S7 Cinemastation From

PD C87740

May 29, 1998

CLA-2-85:OFO:OM:B26 C87740

TARIFF NO.: 8518.29.8000

Mr. Dennis Heck

6600 Orangethorpe Avenue

P.O. Box 6600

Buena Park, CA 90622-6600

RE: The tariff classification of AV-S7 CinemaStation from

Malaysia.

Dear Mr. Heck:

In your letter dated May 7, 1998, you requested a tariff classification

ruling for the Yamaha AV-S7 CinemaStation System.

The AV-S7 is designed to give high quality dynamic cinema like sound to the

ordinary television set. It consists of a control center/speaker unit,

subwoofer/200 watt power amplifier and four satellite speakers. The control

center allows the user to command the various functions, such as, Cinema DSP,

HiFi DSP and Dolby Pro Logic. The amplifier generates 200 watts of total power

(50W goes to the subwoofer and 30W to each of the five speakers), and the

speakers provide output dialog and other sounds.

The classification of merchandise within the Harmonized Tariff Schedule

of the United States (HTSUS) is governed by the General Rules of Interpretation

and any section, chapter and subchapter notes. GRI 1 provides that

classification shall be determined according to the terms of the headings and

any relative section or chapter notes. Section XVI note 4 provides that a

combination of machines consisting of individual components intended to

contribute together to a clearly defined function covered by one of the headings

in chapter 84 or 85, is to be classified as a whole in the heading appropriate

to that function. This function is provided by the speakers which produce

cinema like surround sound.

The applicable subheading for the AV-S7 CinemaStation System will be

8518.29.8000, HTSUS, which provides for loudspeakers, whether or not mounted in

their enclosures, other. The rate of duty will be 4.9 percent ad valorem.

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.

Sincerely,

Joyce Henderson

Port Director

Otay Mesa