WORLD TRADE
ORGANIZATIONG/IT/5/Rev.1
31 July 2000
(00-3137)
Committee of Participants on the Expansion of Trade in
Information Technology ProductsOriginal:  English
CLASSIFICATION OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY PRODUCTS
Communication from the World Customs Organization (WCO)
Revision
This following communication, dated 25 July 2000, has been received from the World
Customs Organization (WCO).
_______________
Please find attached a document updating the document that the WCO sent to the WTO on
10 March 1998 (G/IT/5) outlining the WCO's actions already taken with regard to ITA products.G/IT/5/Rev.1
Page 2
WCO's action relating to the HS classification of specific products
relating to the WTO/ITA
ITA WCO’s action
Attachment A, Section 1
Attachment A, Section 2
Attachment B(N° 2) Electric amplifiers
(N° 3) Flat panel displays
(N° 4) Network equipment
(N° 8) PlottersThe Harmonized System Committee (HSC) on an on-going basis considers the amendment of the HS
Explanatory Notes so as to insert references to specific products cited in Section 1 with a view to
ensuring their uniform classification in the HS.
The classification of equipment for the manufacture of semiconductor devices and flat panel devices
(FPDs) and the classification of FPDs will be exam ined during the next HS review cycle (HS/2007).
The classification of repeaters used in LAN systems will be discussed at the HSC's 26
th Session in
November 2000.
See the explanation for Attachment A, Section 2.
The HSC has classified certain LAN equipment, in particular, communications controllers or routers,
cluster controllers, multistation access units (LAN hubs) and optical converters in heading 84.71(subheading 8471.80) (HSC/25).
The HSC decided to classify the FIRE 1000 and FI RE 9000 (imagesetters) in heading 90.06 (HSC/20).
At the 24
th Session, the HSC decided to classify the FIRE 1000 in subheading 9006.10 and the FIRE
9000 in subheading 9006.59.
The HSC was asked to examine, at its 22nd session,  the classification of a scanner, the Smart 342.  It was
decided that the apparatus should be classified in subheading 8471.90, given the fact that this scanner
was a type of “optical reader” and its function was similar to that of a bar code reader.  At the same
session, the Committee unanimously agreed to classify  a developer, the Rapline 51 OLP, in subheadingG/IT/5/Rev.1
Page 3ITA WCO’s action
(N° 9) Printed circuit assemblies
(N° 10) Projection type flat panel
display units
(N° 11) Proprietary format storage
devices
(N° 12) Multimedia upgrade kits9010.50.  The HSC was also asked to classify other imagesetters : the SelectSetAvantra 30, Dolev 4
Press and Accuset 1500 Plus and decided (HSC/24) to classify them in subheading 9006.10.  A digital
ink-jet printer (Iris 3047) was classified in subheading 8443.51.
(See the explanation for N° 12).
The HSC examined the classification of computer data and video projectors (I)  P170v VPH-1292Q/QM
and (II) Online Oration Plus 846 (for both computer and video signals) and decided to classify (I) in
subheading 8528.30 and (II) in subheading 8528.21.
The HSC at its 25th Session agreed unanimously on the classification of proprietary storage formats in
subheading 8471.70.
The classification of a multimedia upgrade kit consisting of a video card, sound card and software
therefor was postponed to the next HSC session (HSC/26).
(Note) 1. Items N° 1, N° 5, N° 6, N° 7 and N° 13 were decided by  the Committee as notified previously (see WTO document G/IT/5 
(March 16 1998).
2. HSC/21 was held in March 1998
HSC/22 was held in November 1998
HSC/23 was held in May 1999
HSC/24 was held in October 1999HSC/25 was held in March 2000
HSC/26 will be held in November 2000
For further information, in the annex to this document there is a list of all products that   the Harmonized System Committee h as classified
since its 22
nd Session, concerning Chapters 84, 85 and 90.G/IT/5/Rev.1
Page 4
Annex
Product description Classification Classification rationale
Closed circuit video surveillance system, consisting of a combination of a variable number of
television cameras and colour video monitors connected by coaxial cables to a controller,
switchers and audio board/receivers. The circuit thus created is controlled from one or moremonitoring posts. In some cases, personal computers (for saving data) and/or video recorders
(for recording pictures) may also be linked to the system. Other accessories, e.g. microphones,
loudspeakers, audible alarms, etc., may also be added.
The system consists of television cameras, colour video monitors, personal computers, video
recorders, microphones, loudspeakers and coaxial cables.Separate
classification of the
components in theirown heading.
System comprising several types of apparatus, connected to each other by cables, designed toenable the teacher to control the work of several students using an interactive communicationsystem. The apparatus consists of (1) a teacher workstation (personal computer (PC), tower for
connection with integrated loudspeaker, command unit with classroom layout and dialogue
system, headset, and one to three cassette recorders) and (2) a student workstation (cassette
recorder, headset with microphone and remote control). The system also includes the
appropriate software, recorded on WI NDOWS 95 or NT 4.0-type diskettes.
The system can be used with a typewriter, computer, dictating machine, video, or used solely as
a language laboratory.Separate
classification of thecomponents in their
own heading.
Horizontal freezer with a curved lid that can be raised; the freezer is designed for preserving anddisplaying foodstuffs; it can be placed at any point of sale, either against a wall or in long back-
to-back islands. It has a storage capacity of 365 l or 550 l depending on the model; a built-in
refrigerating system makes it possible to maintain a temperature of between -20 °C and –24 °C
at an ambient temperature of 30 °C.8418.30
An apparatus for filtering blood, consisting essentially of a filtration mesh of polyester in a
transparent housing. Micro-aggregates consisting of leukocytes, platelets, cell fragments andproteins, in sizes ranging from 30 to 200µm, are removed from stored blood.8421.29
Marine loading arm designed to safely transf er dangerous liquids in loading or unloading
operations, especially at ports and industrial plants, using a piping system with articulated joints
fitted with automatic safety valves. The piping is manipulated during liquid transfer by a self-
contained cable and pulley system linked to a support and counterweight structure. The system
does not include any pumps.8428.90 GIR 1 and GIR 6G/IT/5/Rev.1
Page 5Product description Classification Classification rationale
Digital ink-jet printer which reproduces continuous-tone colour images (formats up to A0 – 864
x 1,189 mm), using variable-sized dots, on a wide range of media : newsprint, mat, semi-mat or
glossy papers, transparent or translucent medium, watercolour paper, coated fabric, etc. This
apparatus, weighing 272 kg and measuring 1070 x 1520 x 760 mm (H x W x D) is used in the
printing industry as a colour proofer and for industrial applications such as reflective or back-litsignage, exhibit displays, fine art, packaging, etc. The printing is effected on the basis of data
provided by an external automatic data proc essing machine, to which the apparatus can be
connected by a parallel interface.8443.51 GIR 1 (Notes 5 (B), 5 (D)
and 5 (E) to Chapter 84)
and GIR 6.
Graphic tablets / digitizers, being serial input devices for personal computers and workstations.The tablets provide high performance digitizi ng for personal computer and computer aided
design (CAD) applications, presentation gr aphics and similar 2-D computer graphics
applications. The tablets are high productivity tools that include the capabilities of a digitizer. Inthe digitizer and/or tablet role, they convert graphics to accurate digital information for
computer storage and processing. All standard mouse functions are available as well. The flush
surface design provides smooth cursor and/or pen control across the entire working surface. The
digitizing surface has a lift-up translucent film for protecting delicate documents being traced.
The overall dimensions of the tablets range from 151 mm x 151 mm to 305 mm x 457 mm.Weight 2 – 3.6 kg.8471.60
Data storage devices, whether for internal installation in an automatic data processing (ADP)
machine or for external use with such machines, in which case they are portable and connectable
to the machine through the parallel port, or through an SCSI or USB connection. The devices
may be in the form of drives for discs (mag netic discs or CD-R (C D-Recordable) or CD-RW
(CD-Rewritable) discs) or for magnetic tape. The discs and tapes have storage capacities ranging
from 40 MB to 2 GB, and have a specific form which can only be used with the appliances of
the same producer.
Packages for retail sale may contain the driver and a power supply, a connecting cable, softwareand, sometimes, a disc. The drives are configured to work in an ADP environment operating
system (such as Windows 95, Windows 98, Windows NT, MAC).
Discs, tapes and other media presented with the unit are classified separately.8471.70 GIR 1G/IT/5/Rev.1
Page 6
Product description Classification Classification rationale
Digital Linear Tape (DLT) Autoloaders and Libraries. Autoloaders are comprised of a robotic
mechanism, a control mechanism, a drive mechanism and 8 tape cartridge slots. Libraries are
comprised of a robotic mechanism, a control mechanism, 1 to 6 drive mechanisms and 20 to 60
tape cartridge slots. They are used for data backup applications where unattended, automatic
operation is required and high data throughput is needed.The robotic mechanism consists of a robotic "hand", called a picker, capable of holding one
piece of (DLT) medium and the translation mechan ism to move this medium to/from any of 1 to
6 drives or any of the storage locations (cartridge slots). This mechanism is controlled by a
microprocessor driven controller, which includes servo systems, robotic control systems, error
recovery/diagnostic systems, and interface systems. The computer server to which this device isattached communicates and transfers data via an SC SI or a fibber channel interface. The robotic
controller shares the SCSI bus with one drive while each of the other drives has its own SCSI
bus, for bandwidth considerations. Computer system management of the library is accomplished
via a separate LAN interface.
The drive mechanism utilised in the DLT Library uses a half-inch tape cartridge medium. The
drive writes multiple channels in parallel with multiple serpentine passes down and back on the
tape being required to write the entire tape. The capacity is 40 gigabytes per tape cartridge. Thedrives have hardware data compression available which will double the capacity, nominally. The
data transfer rate is as high as 10 megabytes per second per drive.8471.70 GIR 1
5.25" Magneto-Optical Jukeboxes, comprised of a robotic mechanism, a control mechanism, 1
to 10 drive mechanisms and 1 to 238 disk cartridge slots. They are used for business applications
requiring fast data access by multiple users simultaneously.  The robotic mechanism consists of
a robotic arm capable of holding one or two pieces of 5.25" media and the translation
mechanism to move this media to/from any of 1 to 10 drives or any of 1 to 238 storage locations(cartridge slots), as well as to an import/export location called a mailslot. This mechanism is
controlled by a microprocessor driven controller, which includes servo systems, robotic control
systems, error recovery/diagnostic systems, and interface systems. The computer server to which
this device is attached communicates to it via an SCSI interface, with the robotic controller
responding as one SCSI ID on the bus.The magneto-optical drive mechanism utilised in these jukeboxes uses a combination of an
electromagnetic field and a red laser to change magnetic domains on a 5.25" disk to create data
patterns. The data transfer rate is as high as 4.5 megabytes per second.8471.70 GIR 1G/IT/5/Rev.1
Page 7Product description Classification Classification rationale
Communications controllers or routers (including "LAN bridges"), consisting of a main
processor, an internal memory and multiple input/output ports; they route synchronous-network-
architecture (SNA) specific data traffic.8471.80
Synchronous-network-architecture (SNA) cluster controllers (including remote control units),
being apparatus acting as a terminal concentrat or for co-axial connected terminals needing to
connect to a SNA network using SNA network protocols.8471.80
Multistation access unit (a passive LAN hub), used to provide wiring concentration for up to
eight token-ring LAN workstations so that the physical star-wired configuration is used to form
an electrical ring. Multistation access units can be connected together to increase the number ofworkstations that can attach to any one token ring, to a maximum of 260 devices.8471.80
Optical fibre converter, converting the limited- distanced token-ring LAN digital signal into a
long-distance digital signal over fibre-optic cable.8471.80
A flatbed table-top scanner used in the graphic industry, particularly for scanning colour films. It
consists of several thousand CCD elements (arranged in a row, on a single integrated circuit and
called a CCD array), a glass plate, lenses, a lamp, a mirror and electrical connections. Light of a
specific colour and intensity falling on each CCD element creates a proportional electrical
charge within it. This analogue charge is systematically passed along chains of cells to an A/D
converter, where it is converted into digital data. The original to be scanned is placed on theglass plate where it is evenly lit by a light source. The entire width of an image is read
simultaneously as a line. The maximum scanning resolution is 8,200 dots per inch (dpi). The
machine enables the retouching of images and prints, including Hue Saturation Luminance
(HSL) colour corrections. It has to be connected directly (SCSI interface) to an automatic data
processing machine.8471.90 Optical reader, the function
of which is similar to that
of a bar code reader.G/IT/5/Rev.1
Page 8
Product description Classification Classification rationale
Pentium ® II processor in a rectangular Single Edge Contact (S.E.C.) cartridge (comprised of
plastic and metal), the dimensions of which are 14 cm in length, 6 cm in width and 1.5 cm in
thickness. Within the cartridge there is a single  glass substrate (6-layer printed circuit board),
onto which sub-components are surface mount ed. These sub-components include three
integrated circuits; namely, the core processor integrated circuit chip, four L2 (level 2) cachememory and a L2 cache controller (Tag RAM). In addition, there are passive components
(resistor packs/capacitors). The core processor ch ip is the arithmetical and logical element; the
L2 cache memory is a small, ultra-fast block of temporary memory; and the Tag RAM is the
cache controller or logic chip. The Tag RAM accesses the L2 cache and finds where the
necessary information is stored. The cartridge connects to an automatic data processing unit (amotherboard) via a single edge connector. These sub-components are surface mounted on this
single substrate and are fully enclosed in a plastic and metal cartridge. The interconnections on
the substrate have been obtained by printing and etching copper foil.8473.30
Wet and dry vacuum cleaner with self-contained electric motor, mounted on castors and
designed for industrial and commercial use (hotels, restaurants, shops, companies, industrial
premises, workshops, etc.) with the following technical characteristics :
- maximum engine power : 1,500 W;- electrical connection : 230 V - 50 Hz;
- air flow : 3,600 l/min;
- vacuum pressure : 23,000 Pa;
- tank capacity : 38-50 l;
- weight : 11-12 kg;
- size : 445 x 450 x 505 mm.
The appliance is presented with certain standard accessories but may be fitted with other(optional) accessories; it is designed to suck up dry matter (dust, but also larger materials such as
paper waste, wood chips, leaves, waste of glass or other minerals, mud, plastic waste, etc.) and
liquids.8479.89
A tire inflation valve comprising a rubber stem, a screw-on cap and a brass insert consisting of
an opening, a pin and a spring-loaded plunger mechanism, the whole of which is inserted into a
wheel on which a tire is mounted. When the pin head is manually depressed, the valve opens,
thereby allowing the flow of air into or out of the tire, depending upon the pressure differential.8481.80G/IT/5/Rev.1
Page 9Product description Classification Classification rationale
Frequency converter (Standard version) consisting of :
(i) a circuit to rectify alternating current (AC) into direct current (DC);
(ii) an intermediate voltage circuit (DC) which filters and smoothes the DC voltage from the
rectifier and introduces direct current at constant voltage; and
(iii) an inverter which generates a variable frequency alternating current.The apparatus is connected to an asynchronous motor whose speed of rotation will depend on
the controlled value of the frequency that it emits, and produces a balanced three-phase
alternating current from the constant-voltage DC  coming from the intermediate circuit. In this
device, the frequency of the main current can be modified, enabling the motor’ s speed of
rotation to be varied.8504.40 GIR 1
An electrical apparatus designed to be used in a motor vehicle to warn the driver that a speed
detection device, a "radar gun" or a "laser gun", is operating in the vicinity. It detectsmicrowaves, ranging from 10.49 to 36 GHz, emitted by radar or laser guns operating on X, K,
and selected Ka-SuperWideband frequencies. When these frequencies are detected, the
apparatus emits distinct visual and audio signals (illumination of the laser alert LED coupled
with a special audio tone). It is presented as a set comprised of the radar/laser detector,
windshield clip, straight power cord, fuses and spare parts, printed material and an operatingguide.8512.30 GIRs 1 and 6, classification
at the subheading levelbeing based on the essential
character of the product,
i.e., sound signalling
equipment.
A commercial microwave oven which meets or exceeds all safety performance and sanitation
standards set for commercial food service microwave ovens. It weighs approximately 27 kg, has
a power of 1,700 watts and its internal dimensions are 32.5 x 30 x 16 cm. This oven is designed
to heat or cook food using dry heat or steam.8514.20
“MVX” voice processing system, consisting of a central processing unit (DOS operated) with
hard disk and a floppy disk drive, a key board, a monitor (CRT), built-in call detection board(s),
software and modem, and dedicated to enhance the handling of calls from a PBX (private branch
exchange).8517.30 GIR 1
"Children's Bible (look, listen, read)", comp rising two books and a case containing two
cassettes. The books (Volume 1 : Old Testament, Volume 2 : New Testament) contain passagesfrom the Bible in continuous story form using illustrated texts, whereas the cassettes tell the
same stories as those in the books and play music to indicate to the child when each page ends.
The three components (two books and a folder containing audio cassettes) described are housed
in a box for retail sale.Books : 49.01
Cassettes : 85.24GIR 1
(Note 6 to Chapter 85)G/IT/5/Rev.1
Page 10
Product description Classification Classification rationale
Discs for laser reading systems, containing th e software program called "Windows ’98", but also
containing sound and images.8524.39
Discs for laser reading systems, containing an encyclopaedia called "Encarta ‘99", but also
containing sound and images.8524.39
Discs for laser reading systems, containing an entertainment game called "Fly Simulator", but
also containing sound and images.8524.39
A composite machine (cf. Notes 3 and 5 to Section XVI) consisting of the following elements in
the same housing :
- FM/AM radio receiver;
- Fluorescent lights;
- Search light;- Red signal light;
- Amber blinker;
- Sonic alarm;
- Integrated circuit which makes voice sounds as "stop using, please recharge" in order to
remind the user to recharge battery when the battery needs recharging;- Built-in rechargeable battery with AC220V and DC12V charger.
The apparatus has a handle and a shoulder strap for use when carried in the hand or on the
person.8527.19 Note 3 to Section XVI
Display for reproducing computer or video images on a large screen by placing it on an
overhead projector and connecting it to a computer or a video source. The resolution is 640 x
480 pixels, and it also incorporates functions for pointing, etc., on the projected image.8528.21 GIR 3 (c)
A full-colour desktop LCD (liquid crystal disp lay) projector (LCD: a matrix of 921,600 pixels
arranged in 480 rows and 640 columns). This type can be connected to a computer, the output of
VCRs or a Laser Disc player. It has built-in amplifier/speakers which enable users to connect toa wireless microphone, portable CD player or to  the auxiliary output of a stereo system.8528.30 GIR 3 (c)
A graphics projector to reproduce images of bot h computer and video signals with super high
resolution 9-inch cathode ray tube and advanced optical/electrical technologies (2,000 x 1,600
dot resolution for the highest frequency computer graphic images).8528.30 GIR 3 (c)G/IT/5/Rev.1
Page 11Product description Classification Classification rationale
Modulable configuration apparatus for connecting electrical telecommunication cables, the basic
element of which is a circuit card (dimensions 80 mm x 110 mm x 7 mm). The card in question
consists of a printed circuit with a plastic housing. A resistor and five terminals are mounted on
seven printed connecting elements which place the circuit card in contact with the collection
housing. The side of the structure also contains four soldered sockets connected electrically tothe printed circuit. While a light emitting diode (LED) is contained in one socket, the other three
sockets are jack connections. These last three are respectively marked M (Monitor), O (Output)
and I (Input). The socket marked M and the resistor permits the LED to indicate if there is a
connection to another circuit card.8536.90
Imagesetters working with a visible red laser beam for the exposure of a latent image on four
photosensitive films (cyan, magenta, yellow and black) or other photosensitive media. In these
apparatus, the laser beam moves horizontally, dot by dot, line by line, over the entire surface ofthe film (drum-based imagesetter). The laser is switched on or off according to the "raster" data
provided by an external automatic data processing machine. The image thus obtained may
contain texts, pictures, drawings, etc., and is used in the preparation of plates for the offset
printing industry. The maximum image format is 754 x 635 mm and the resolution ranges from
1,200 to 3,600 dpi.The data for these imagesetters is processed in an external automatic data processing (adp)
machine and transmitted to these imagesetters. The desktop publishing (DTP) and raster image
processing (RIP) software is presented with the imagesetters; as alternative, an adapted adp
machine or hardware to adapt an adp machine ma y be presented together with the imagesetter.9006.10 GIR 1 and 6G/IT/5/Rev.1
Page 12
Product description Classification Classification rationale
Imagesetter working with a visible red laser beam for the exposure of a latent image on
photosensitive film or other media. In this apparatus, the laser beam is deflected by a rotating
mirror and generates an image pixel by pixel, line by line onto film or other photosensitive
media. To secure accurate pixel placement, the mirror is placed in an isolated vacuum. The
image thus obtained may contain texts, pictures, dr awings, etc., and is used in the preparation of
plates for the offset printing industry. The maximum page width is 355.6 mm and the resolution
ranges from 1,200 to 3,600 dpi. The length of the page can be defined by the user.
The apparatus receives the necessary data from an external automatic data processing (adp)
machine incorporating desktop publishing (DTP) and raster image processing (RIP) software,
which converts the digital data into a form which is readable and usable by the imagesetter. Thedesktop publishing (DTP) and raster image processing (RIP) software is presented together with
the imagesetter but not the external adp machine.9006.10 GIR 1 and 6
A laser photoplotter comprising an image reproducer, which depends on an external raster image
processor (RIP) or an automatic data processing machine for rasterization.
It produces a latent colour transparency, which is used to reproduce digital artwork with
continuous-tone, on photosensitive film of a width of more than 35 mm (maximum dimensions
of the film : 26.5 x 22.5 inches (672.1 x 571.5 mm) and 8.66 x 9.44 inches (220 x 240 mm),respectively), by means of a laser, from digital data provided by an external host automatic data
processing (adp) machine by tape or otherwise. It does not photograph or copy actual images
and operates in conjunction with an external automatic data processing machine, receiving data
which has been thus generated and which is subsequently stored in a suitable computer code or
format. For the apparatus to reproduce an im age, the computerized data must first be
transformed into "raster" data. The rasterization is performed by a RIP (raster image processor)
machine. This machine is not included with the apparatus which depends on an external RIPmachine or a host automatic data processing machine for rasterization. The adp machine or adp
system which provides the data to the RIP machine, is not presented with the apparatus.9006.10G/IT/5/Rev.1
Page 13Product description Classification Classification rationale
A laser photoplotter comprising a keyboard, a screen (cathode ray tube), a raster image
processor (RIP) and an image reproducer. It is used to plot or draw a latent "printed circuit
board" image on photographic film (positive, negative or merged composite films), which is
subsequently used in the production of printed circuit boards (PCB).
It creates a latent image on photosensitive film of a width of more than 35 mm (maximumdimensions of the film : 26.5 x 22.5 inches (672.1 x 571.5 mm) and 8.66 x 9.44 inches (220 x
240 mm), respectively), by means of a laser, from digital data provided by an external host
automatic data processing (adp) machine by tape or otherwise. It does not photograph or copy
actual images and operates in conjunction with an external automatic data processing machine,
receiving data which has been thus generated and which is subsequently stored in a suitablecomputer code or format. For the apparatus to reproduce an image, the computerized data must
first be transformed into "raster" data. The rasterization is performed by a RIP (raster image
processor) machine, which is included with the apparatus. The adp machine or adp system
which provides the data to the RIP machine, is not presented with the apparatus.9006.59
A developing machine in which a latent image on an exposed film or other photosensitive media
is developed, fixed, washed and dried. The developed product is used for preparing offset
printing plates. It is used in combination with an imagesetter.9010.50
Laser pointers, which are portable, in the shape of pistols, pens, etc. and designed to function by
their own source of energy. They consist of a laser diode and microelectronics in a housing ofcopper, fitted with a switch. They are battery-powered and some of them are equipped with a
chain fixed to a key ring and a clasp, probably of base metal. The laser pointers produce a red
visible coherent light beam in the wavelength range between 660-680 nm. They can project a
red beam and send a brilliant red dot on an object far away. The laser pointers are commonly
used in teaching and presentations to draw audience’s attention. Some of them have key rings
attached to them.9013.20 GIR 1 and 6
__________