Guidance

Vlogging kit with ring light (Tariff notice 21)

Check the tariff classification for a vlogging kit with ring light made of plastics.

New regulation

A new regulation was published on 10 November 2023.

L Series

Reg 2023/2491

This is considered a change in Northern Ireland practice.

Classification (Combined Nomenclature (CN) code)

9620 00 91

Description of goods

A so-called ‘vlogging kit with ring light’, made of plastics, consisting of the following components:

  • a LED ring lamp with an external diameter of approximately 25 cm
  • a tripod with ball head, equipped with a universal, flexible phone clip
  • a power supply via USB
  • an inline control equipped with an on/off button, for adjusting the brightness and colour temperature of the light
  • a Bluetooth controller for the wireless control of the smartphone

The tripod with the phone clip is designed to hold a smartphone and to ensure stability of the smartphone camera at the desired position. The ring lamp provides an optimal illumination by adjusting the brightness and colour temperature of the light and by preventing shadows on human faces.

The product is used for a vlogging setup to achieve an optimal performance while making videos, streams and selfies.

Reason

Classification is determined by General Rules 1, 3(c) and 6 for the interpretation of the Combined Nomenclature (GIR) and by the wording of CN codes 9620 00 and 9620 00 91.

The product is composite goods, within the meaning of GIR 3(b), consisting of different components which are adapted one to the other and are mutually complementary to form a whole. In accordance with that rule, it is to be classified as if it consisted of the component which gives the essential character to the product. (See also the Harmonized System Explanatory Notes to GIR 3(b), (IX).)

The main components of the product, namely the tripod classified under heading 9620 and the ring lamp classified under heading 9405, are intended to be used together to optimise the performance of vlogging. Stability provided by the tripod and illumination provided by the ring lamp are of equal importance with regard to the activity of vlogging. It is therefore not possible to determine the component which gives the essential character to the product.

The product is consequently to be classified by application of GIR 3(c), under the heading which occurs last in numerical order among those which equally merit consideration.

The product is, therefore, to be classified under CN code 9620 00 91, as a tripod of plastics.

Contact details


Tariff Classification
Customs and Border Design
3 rd Floor
14 Westfield Avenue
Stratford
London
E20 1HZ

Email: tariff.classification@hmrc.gov.uk

This Tariff notice is published for information purposes only.

Published 18 December 2023