In ruling NY N319178 (May 14, 2021), Customs and Border Protection (CBP) discussed the classification ,” a wireless charging alarm clock. As stated in the ruling, some features include a “color-changing glow light, a wireless charging stand for smart phones, and a color liquid crystal display (LCD) with selectable display options, including the time, calendar, and indoor/outdoor temperature. The subject alarm clock has several capabilities, including alarm clock, indoor/outdoor temperature, and charging.”

GRI 3(b) provides that “Mixtures, composite goods consisting of different materials or made up of different components, and goods put up in sets for retail sale, which cannot be classified by reference to 3 (a), shall be classified as if they consisted of the material or component which gives them their essential character, insofar as this criterion is applicable”. CBP determined that in regards to the La Crosse Glow Wireless Charging Alarm Clock, the alarm clock functions predominate over the other functions.  The ruling states that the “alarm clock functions outnumber the other functions.  Furthermore, almost all the buttons on the top and back of the product – i.e., the alarm, snooze, and up and down buttons – are also devoted to the alarm clock functions.” Additionally, the ruling states that the marketing material will “make clear that it is an alarm clock with supplemental functions to include: device charging, and measure and display of temperatures.”  Thus, CBP concluded that the alarm clock functions impart the essential character of the device

CBP determined that the applicable subheading for the wireless charging alarm clock is 9105.11.40, HTSUS, which provides for “Other clocks; alarm clocks: electrically operated: with opto-electronic display only.” The rate of duty will be 3.9 percent on the movement and case plus 5.3 percent on the battery.