GOVERNMENT OF PAKISTAN

MODEL CUSTOMS COLLECTORATE OF APPRAISEMENT

CUSTOM HOUSE, KARACHI.

NO. CC-49/2009(A                                                                          Dated: 16.11.2009

PUBLIC NOTICE NO. 09/2009 

SUB:              CLASSIFICATION OF CDMA PHONE

The classification aspect of CDMA Phone has been referred to Classification Center (Appraisement) by the Model Customs Collectorate, Lahore along with representative sample and catalogue of the product for consideration and decision by the PCT Committee.

2.         The product, as is evident from the representative sample and the product catalogue, is “Trend” Brand wireless CDMA, Set, Model-Z1100 using frequency (band) CDMA 2000 1 x 450 MHZ.

3.         The following possible PCT headings were discussed in the classification meeting: -

 i) 8517.1210                         ii) 8517.1220

4.         The importers claimed classification under heading 857.1210 as Cellular Mobile Phone. On the other hand, Model Customs Collectorate, Lahore is of the opinion that subject product is classifiable under heading 8517.1220 as it functions with the help of wireless CDMA based technology.

5.         The issue was discussed in the PCT Committee meeting held on 16.07.2009. The Committee examined product catalogue of CDMA set of Model Z-1100 and it has been observed that the aforesaid product operators on the basis of network technology called Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA). The CDMA technology is different from the GSM technology in a way that the former uses a “spread-spectrum” technique whereby electromagnetic energy is spread to allow for a signal with a wider bandwidth. This allows multiple people on multiple cell phones to be “multiplexed” over the same channel to share a bandwidth of frequencies. With CDMA technology, data and voice packets are separated using codes and then transmitted using a wide frequency range.

6.         A CDMA phone sets operators without a SIM (Subscriber Identity Module) card. This feature of the CDMA phone set disallows the phones to be instantly activated, interchanged, swapped out and upgraded, all without carrier intervention. Therefore, the CDMA phones sets are primarily used with wireless networks other than cellular networks.

7.         For the foregoing reasons and by virtue of Note 1 of General Rules for Interpretation of the Harmonized System and Pakistan Rule-1 thereof, the impugned product is appropriately classifiable under PCT heading 8517.1220.

Signed by

(Gul Rehman)

Additional Collector /

Chairman PCT Committee

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