Explanatory Notes to the Combined Nomenclature of the European Communities
Date: 2008-05-07
Institutions: European Commission
Subjects: Combined Nomenclature, electronic device, telecommunications equipment, television equipment

C 112/8

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

7.5.2008

Explanatory Notes to the Combined Nomenclature of the European Communities

(2008/C 112/03)

Pursuant to Article 9(1)(a), second indent, of Council Regulation (EEC) No 2658/87 of 23 July 1987 on the
tariff and statistical nomenclature and on the Common Customs Tariff (1), the Explanatory Notes to the
Combined Nomenclature of the European Communities (2) are amended as follows:

On page 335, the following text is inserted:

‘8521 90 00 Other

This subheading includes apparatus without a screen capable of receiving television signals,
so-called “set-top boxes”, which incorporate a device performing a recording or reproducing
function (for example, a hard disk or DVD drive).’

On page 339, the following text is inserted:

‘8528 71 13

Apparatus with a microprocessor-based device incorporating a modem for gaining
access to the Internet, and having a function of interactive information exchange,
capable of receiving television signals (“set-top boxes with communication func-
tion”)

This subheading covers apparatus without a screen, so-called “set-top boxes with communi-
cation function”, consisting of the following main components:

— a microprocessor,

— a video tuner.

The presence of an RF connector is an indicator that a video tuner may be present.

— a modem.

Modems modulate and demodulate outgoing as well as incoming data signals. This
enables bidirectional communication for the purposes of gaining access to the Internet.
Examples of such modems are: V.34-, V.90-, V.92-, DSL- or cable modems. An indica-
tion of the presence of such a modem is an RJ 11 connector.

Devices performing a similar function to that of a modem but which do not modulate
and demodulate signals are not considered to be modems. Examples of such apparatus
are ISDN-, WLAN- or Ethernet devices. An indication of the presence of such a device
is an RJ 45 connector.

The modem must be built into the set-top box. Set-top boxes which do not have a
built-in modem but use an external modem are excluded from this subheading (e.g. a
set consisting of a set-top box and an external modem).

The Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) must be present as firmware
in the set-top box.

Set-top boxes of this subheading must enable the user of the apparatus to access the
Internet. The apparatus must also be able to run Internet applications in an “interactive
information exchange” mode such as an e-mail client or a messaging application using
UDP or TCP/IP sockets.

Set-top boxes which incorporate a device performing a recording or reproducing function
(for
subheading
(subheading 8521 90 00).

a hard disk or DVD drive)

excluded from this

example,

are

8528 71 19

Other

See the last paragraph of the Explanatory Notes to subheading 8528 71 13.

(1) OJ L 256, 7.9.1987, p. 1. Regulation as last amended by Regulation (EC) No 275/2008 (OJ L 85, 27.3.2008, p. 3).
(2) OJ C 50, 28.2.2006, p. 1.

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EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 112/9

8528 71 90

Other

This subheading includes products without a screen which are reception apparatus for tele-
vision but which do not incorporate a video tuner (for example, so-called “IP-streaming
boxes”).

See also the last paragraph of the Explanatory Notes to subheading 8528 71 13.’