In the March 26, 2025, Customs Bulletin and Decisions, U.S. Customs and Border Protection proposed to reclassify an optical patch panel as an optical appliance or instrument under HTSUS 9013.80.91 (4.5 percent duty) rather than as apparatus for the transmission or reception of voice, images, or other data under HTSUS 8517.70.00 (duty-free).
Ruling NY N022319 would be revoked to reflect this change. Comments are due no later than April 26.
The item at issue is an optical patch panel sold as an optional part for a system that sends voice, data, and video traffic via fiber optic cables. It provides, via a front panel, eight multifiber cables with MTP connectors on the end and 22 duplex LC connectors. Inside the device, the multifiber cables are split out to 44 individual transmit and receive fibers that are terminated at the front panel via the 22 duplex LC connectors.
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