CBP Determines Japan as Country of Origin for NEC Microwave Radios
CBP issued a Sept. 13 final determination concluding that Japan is the country of origin for NEC iPasolink 250 and 650 microwave radios. The digital microwave radios are used for wireless point-to-point communications, and their hybrid nature “enables the simultaneous transmission of both Time Division Multiplexed and ethernet-based data in their native formats.” According to a letter from the Office of International Trade, the radios are comprised of two main units, the indoor unit (IDU) and the transmitter-receiver unit chassis (TRX). The TRX, along with the radio’s branching circuit and modem, are manufactured in Japan, while the radio’s IDU, main card, tributary unit, the power supply unit and fans are manufactured in India. These components are then shipped to the U.S. for assembly, testing and software customization.
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CBP said that the software is developed in Japan and India, and that other “critical components” like the TRX, branching unit and modem are manufactured in Japan. The TRX component carries the microwave signal, “the essence of a microwave radio,” while the product’s assembly in the U.S. does not involve numerous parts and is a simple process, CBP said. Based on facts presented and pursuant to the rule of origin, CBP concluded that Japan is the country of origin for purposes of U.S. government procurement.